Hikers being evacuated

2009-06-24 13:09

Cape Town - Hikers were being evacuated from the Otter Trail on Wednesday as bitterly cold and stormy weather swept the Southern Cape coast, the Garden Route National Park said.

The picturesque 43km, five-day trail had been closed until further notice, park spokesperson Zanemvula Gozongo said.

He said rangers went in on foot on Wednesday morning to evacuate the 29 hikers currently on the trail, after park authorities decided that the massive waves pounding the coast posed a threat to their safety.

Much of the trail runs along the rugged Tsitsikamma coastline, and hikers also have to make river crossings.

Gozongo said the park's rest camp at Nature's Valley had also been closed due to a surging sea and high winds.

Snow, rain, winds, waves

It was earlier reported that lapping waves had reached as high as the top of the wheels of hikers' cars parked at Nature's Valley.

The weather service has warned of snow, rain, gale-force winds and waves of up to nine metres in the area, as a series of cold fronts sweep through.

The park website says hikers must be prepared to hike over rough terrain, steep ascents and descents "and under any weather conditions".

People who want to walk the trail have to book six months ahead.

- SAPA