Hiking trails in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, that were closed as result of rockslides and erosion due to the storms at the end of September, have been reopened to the public.
Overstrand Municipality’s Environmental Management Services and the Hermanus Botanical Society worked closely together to rebuild and rehabilitate the hiking routes. Their hard work paid off when 85% of the reserve’s contour paths were reopened on Friday 24 November.
Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill said parts of the Red Route suffered the most severe damage and will take the longest to repair and will remain closed. However, the Fisherman’s Kloof approach is open and the Jeep Track can be reached via this route.
“Hiking should be approached with caution, respect and common sense,” O’Neill cautioned, “and visitors are advised to avoid these parts of the Red Route until repairs have been completed as they are still unstable and unsafe.”
Councillor Clinton Lerm as Mayco Member for Investment, Infrastructure and Planning, praised the Bergstap volunteers, who did most of the repair work to date. He also thanked Kobus Stofberg’s team, who did excellent quick repairs on the timber bridges during the past week.
“All the volunteers, under the auspices of the Hermanus Botanical Society, did (and are still doing) sterling work to bring the paths back to the point where they can be used safely,” Lerm said. “We really appreciate their hard work and extend a thank you to them for what they have accomplished in a month’s time.”
Affected routes:
. Boardwalk to the Waterfall – Open, but visitors cannot pass the waterfall as this leads to the Red Route (Kanonkop);. Adder Ladder – Open;. Boekenhoutbos – Open;. Green Route (Lemoenkop) – Partially open;. Blue Route – Open (Dog Friendly);. All other trails – Open;. Fernkloof Gardens – Open; . Red Route (Fishermans Kloof to Kanonkop Staircase) – Open;. Red Route (Waterfall to Kanonkop Staircase) – Closed;. Red Route (Lower section directly above the Visitor Centre) – Closed.
Visitors are still urged to exercise extreme caution when using the paths and adhere to all warning signs.
The Hermanus Botanical Society will close the Visitors’ Centre building for two weeks from 27 November for refurbishment. The woodwork needs to be replaced or fixed, broken glass is to be replaced and there is a problem with the floor, which is unstable on one side.
The floral display will be resumed as soon as the work is done. Maps will be obtainable from the Fernkloof Nursery in the meantime. The Visitors’ Centre should be open by mid-December for the height of the season.
