Safer passage for all as Friends of Table Mountain’s ‘Trail Apostles’ repair sections of poorly maintained trail on Devil’s Peak.
Cape Town, South Africa (30 March 2026) – Friends of Table Mountain’s trail crew, affectionately known as the ‘Trail Apostles,’ have been working on improving trails along Devil’s Peak.
The team has cleared overgrown sections, installed rock and log steps, and cleared water bars for the upcoming winter rains. They have also just brought safety to a section where, last year in June, a 53-year-old hiker had slipped and fallen 12 meters down, due to a poorly maintained trail.
“The hiker and her family were making their way from the Saddle to Oppelskop when they encountered the heavily vegetated section of trail. While attempting to step past the overgrowth she slipped from the narrow trail and tumbled twelve meters down the steep slope.” shared the Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR).
An urgent call was made to the WSAR and an extensive rescue followed. Paramedics and rescue climbers were flown to the scene and the hiker was carefully assessed and treated before being transferred into a rescue stretcher and hoisted via helicopter to a nearby landing zone where an ambulance rushed her off to hospital.
“We had been informed that a hiker slipped due to a poorly maintained trail, so this particular location was a priority for our team.” shared Friends of Table Mountain. “Upon inspection, it was evident that the overgrown path had forced the hiker onto an unstable detour along a crumbling edge that eventually dropped off into a significant cliff.”
The trail has now been restored and made far safer for all who use it.
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“Thanks to the hard work and expertise of our dedicated team, the trail has now been restored…” it added. “We hope everyone enjoys the improved route and the peace of mind that comes with a safer passage.”
Friends of Table Mountain is the registered non-profit organisation that focuses on nature conservation, trail rehabilitation, and safety across the park, alongside lobbying for better management of Table Mountain National Park as a whole.
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