Friends of Table Mountain (FOTM) has taken the initiative to rehabilitate a section of the Devil’s Peak path as a community project with the assistance of the South African National Parks (SANParks) Honorary Rangers.
Says Andy Davies, chair of FOTM: “Devil’s Peak is a spectacular part of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) with incredible views of the city and the mountain. While its hiking trails may not be as popular as Platteklip Gorge and Lion’s Head, they are used regularly by mountain users and the trails are in a neglected state due to the lack of maintenance over a number of years.”
According to Davies, at a meeting held with the then SANParks CEO, Fundisile Mketeni, in September 2020, it was agreed that SANParks would arrange for community involvement with the rehabilitation of the Devil’s Peak path.
“Unfortunately, only the path up to the saddle has undergone maintenance and the path from the saddle to the peak is in dire need of rehabilitation.”
The project will cover the procurement of materials, two volunteer days to transport the materials to the site and to complete some basic rehabilitation and two weeks of work for a professional trail-building team.
Davies says their budget for the project is R50 000. So far, Table Mountain Bikers have committed to covering the cost for one week of work by a professional trail building team and Maarten Turkstra at Axess has donated materials.
The Batrun trail race organisers have also offered to help with fundraising and getting their trail runners to volunteer for the community service days.
“We need to raise the balance of the money through donations from all the good people who love using our beautiful mountain. So, if you are a regular TMNP user and want to contribute to this good cause, please do so,” says Davies.
He shares their goal is to complete the work in mid-March.
“If you wish to partake in any of the volunteer days, then keep an eye on our FOTM Facebook page.”
Contributions to the project can be made on FOTM’s Quicket page: https://www.quicket.co.za/fundraisers/165198-devils-peak-trail-rehabilitation/ - Corporate sponsors who would wish to donate R1 000 or more and need a SARS tax certificate, can contact the Honorary Rangers (registered PBO), at tmtreasurer@honoraryrangers.org
