Scheduled maintenance of Lion’s Head has been underway since January 7 2019, when Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) closed the mountain’s popular spiral trail for rehabilitation after the busy festive season. However, the reopening of the trail was delayed by the fire that devastated Lion’s Head later in the same month and tragically erased all progress that had been made on the project.
On January 27 2019, a wildfire which started on the slopes below Signal Hill Drive spread rapidly over the mountain due to the dry fuel load and prevailing southeasterly winds.
All TMNP resources, aerial support and ground crew were deployed to contain the fire and protect the urban edge from possible damage. Through their efforts, the fire was largely contained on 29 January 2019. An initial post-fire assessment of the affected area revealed that Lion’s Head sustained significant burn damage to infrastructure and footpaths.
The preliminary maintenance closure period was scheduled for January 7 to February 15. As a result of the fire, however, an extended closure to address safety and ecological integrity concerns had to take place but will finally be coming to an end on Friday, March 1 2019.
Further footpath segments on Lion’s Head not included in the maintenance project were badly damaged and required intervention before access could be granted. The affected paths included those around the Kramat, Top Road entrance and Kloof Road entrance.
Visitors have been unable to visit this popular hiking spot for over a month.
The below map shows the paths that are currently closed for rehabilitation and are reopening soon.
Pictures: TMNP/Facebook/Lion’s Head Mountain Cape Town