Hoy’s Koppie

Hoy’s Koppie – Residents and visitors to Hermanus have long enjoyed walking the paths on Hoy’s Koppie and recent improvements to the paths by the Cliff Path Management Group and the Municipality have made the outing even more enjoyable. Since 2008 the main contour path that takes you right around the Koppie has been widened to 1.2 metres and provided with a permanent surface of exposed aggregate concrete to make for easy walking in all weathers. The original entrance on the north side has an improved parking area and the path up to the contour path has likewise been given a permanent surface. This path and the contour path are now fully wheelchair friendly, giving a total 1.2 kilometres of wheelchair friendly paths.

Visitors can enjoy stunning views of Hermanus, the Fernkloof Mountains and Walker Bay from various points along the paths, through the best view still remains form the top of the Koppie. Natural fynbos grows in abundance on the lower slopes, especially since a fire in 2008 worked its usual magic in taking out old growth and stimulating the appearance and germination of species not seen for a long time on the Koppie. Because of the orientation of the Koppie different varieties of fynbos are found on either side of the Koppie.

The cave is also worth a look. It is very old. Artefacts and debris found there by two archaeological expeditions put the age at between 250 000 and 50 000 years old, Rudimentary scraping tools from the Middle Stone Age were found there in both scientific excavations. The cave was once close to the sea as can be seen by the wide variety of shells and shell fish unearthed. The early inhabitants of the cave derived most of their food from the sea, causing Dr James Drury, one of the scientists doing the excavation to remark: “The small quantity of animal remains makes one wonder whether there was a scarcity of animals in this place or whether they (the cave dwellers) were just too lazy to hunt.”

On a fine summer’s day Hoys Koppie offers you an easy walk in a splendid natural environment (it is part of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve), with interesting historical associations and exceptional views. No wonder that Hoys Koppie is widely known as the “jewel of Hermanus.”

Walkerbay Nature Reserve – Managed by Cape Nature, Walker Bay stretches along the coast from De Kelders to the Hermanus Lagoon. Walker Bay Nature Reserve offers much for the whole family. From wide beaches to sea caves, good fishing grounds to pretty fynbos and hiking trails.

Fernkloof Nature Reserve – 028 3130819 / botsochermanus@telkomsa.net / www.fernkloof.com