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The beloved 1.8 km Wilderness Boardwalk, a short trail along the Touw River on the Garden Route has been officially closed to the public due to severe flood damage.
The once-pristine walkway, which offered easy stroll through the popular Wilderness area, is now in dire need of repairs. Journalist Jeff Ayliffe of Group Editors Live visited the site to assess the damage firsthand.
‘What used to be one of the jewels of Wilderness tourism has sadly deteriorated to a point where SANParks have closed it,’ said Jeff.
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Ayliffe spoke with Chamell Pluim, Senior Section Ranger for the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park, to gain insight into the situation.
Pluim confirmed that the boardwalk had been closed due to safety concerns, adding that SANParks had taken steps to prevent public access, including placing signage and removing portions of the boardwalk. She also acknowledged ongoing issues with littering in the area, despite scheduled cleanups.
When asked for a time frame for the restoration of the boardwalk, Pluim said that it is expected to be a significant project requiring coordination between SANParks and other relevant parties. While work has already commenced, an exact timeline for completion remains uncertain, she said, adding that updates will be provided to the public as progress is made.
The temporary closure of the boardwalk is a loss for visitors, as it was one of the most accessible and picturesque walking trails in the area.
For now, visitors are urged to respect the closure and await further updates from SANParks regarding restoration.
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