A popular hiking trail in Johannesburg’s Lonehill area has closed for the winter months.
The Lonehill Koppies – a popular hiking trail in Johannesburg – will be closed 6 May to 7 September 2024 for maintenance, restoration and preservation.
A Facebook post made by the Lonehill Residents Association early in May announced the temporary closure of the koppie.
“The koppie closes during the winter months not only to recover from the human trampling that takes place during the summer seasons but also to preserve the food sources for the dassies, reptiles and insects that are found in the koppie,” read the post.
As per The South African, the provincial heritage resources authority has given the Association permission to protect the Koppie and hiking trail.
During this closure period, the koppie’s ‘green team’, as the association calls them, will assess walking paths, carry out required maintenance on the bush, veld, woody plants and trees. In this time, invasive plant species are also removed from the area.
“The green team work extensively during the winter months in the koppie to ensure its eco system is healthy and strong enough to reopen in Spring.”
The Lonehill Koppie will reopen on 7 September, just in time for a pleasant Spring walk with the furry four-leggeds.
Image: Unsplash / Jeffrey Keenan
