{"id":104716,"date":"2018-11-26T08:45:42","date_gmt":"2018-11-26T06:45:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/?p=104716"},"modified":"2018-11-30T08:30:19","modified_gmt":"2018-11-30T06:30:19","slug":"lions-head-to-close-completely-to-hikers-early-in-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/cape-town\/lions-head-to-close-completely-to-hikers-early-in-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Lion\u2019s Head to close completely to hikers early in 2019!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"\"One of the strangest news stories I saw last week was the announcement by SA National Parks that Lion\u2019s Head will be closed to climbers from 7 January to 15 February 2019.<\/p>\n

The popular hiking trail will close completely, but its Signal Hill end will continue to be accessible. The closure is motivated on the grounds of \u2018much needed intervention\u2019, according to SANParks.  <\/p>\n

Traveller24 reports that SANParks aims to \u2018improve the longevity of the trail, safety of hikers in the area and the environmental protection of the Lions Head and Signal Hill\u2019, having conducted a Trail Audit Report on the Lion\u2019s Head and Signal Hill footpath network. Minor upgrades that did not interrupt trail access have been done since the Trail Audit Report was completed in 2017. The closure allows for \u2018one of the more intensive phases of the project where the condition of the trail will be addressed\u2019, according to the media report. <\/p>\n

\u2018No access will be permitted to hikers or runners via the track entrance along Signal Hill Drive. This includes the restriction on access after sunset and before sunrise. Due to the maintenance in progress we cannot guarantee the safe passage of visitors along the path way and hence the entire trail will be closed\u2019, says SANPark.<\/p>\n

The five-week timing of the closure, whilst after the Christmas\/New Year period, will be questioned, as February usually is one of the most popular tourist months for Cape Town.  The Lion\u2019s Head hike is not without its safety challenges, with even experienced international mountaineers having fallen and been injured, and some even lost their lives. In April this year I hiked up Lion\u2019s Head for the first time, walking in my brand new walking shoes in preparation for walking the Camino in Spain, and I am very proud of this achievement, getting to the top at 669 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n

Walking up Lion\u2019s Head: a personal challenge, and walking in my Camino shoes!<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n