Trail Update: Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Fire and Storm Damage

Over the past six months, the Grootvadersbosch trail network has remained closed due to the Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak affecting the agricultural sector. We know this has been disappointing for many riders, and we would like to sincerely thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this period. Protecting agricultural activities and supporting our farming community will always be a priority. The Grootvadersbosch trail network exists because of the generosity and goodwill of local landowners who allow access across their properties, and we remain committed to supporting them during times of challenge.

​The good news is that vaccines have now been rolled out across local dairy herds, and we are finally in a position to begin the process of reopening the trails. Unfortunately, the closure period coincided with several other major events that have significantly impacted the trail network. As a result, reopening the trails is not that simple. Just before the trails were closed, a large wildfire burnt through approximately 30% of the trail network. The fire damaged trail infrastructure, destroyed signage, burnt fence crossings and left several sections vulnerable to erosion. Since then, severe storms, strong winds and heavy rainfall have caused additional damage, including fallen trees, washed-out sections and further deterioration of trail infrastructure.

​Over the coming months we will be working carefully through the network to assess and restore damaged sections. This work includes removing fallen trees, repairing and replacing essential trail bridges and crossings, restoring signage, addressing erosion issues and ensuring that routes can be reopened safely.

However, one of the greatest challenges lies beyond the trail damage.

​Following wildfire, invasive alien plants such as black wattle regenerate rapidly and can quickly dominate burnt landscapes if left unmanaged. The invasive plants threaten biodiversity, increases future fire risk and can ultimately make restoration far more costly and difficult. We therefore have a limited window of opportunity to act. Our priority is not only to reopen the trails, but also to work with landowners to manage invasive regrowth and restore these landscapes before the problem becomes significantly larger. This work is both labour-intensive and expensive. The prolonged trail closure has reduced income that would normally contribute towards trail maintenance, while landowners have also been dealing with the impacts of fire, storms and the challenges facing the agricultural sector.

Despite these challenges, we remain committed to restoring the trail network and supporting the conservation of the landscapes through which it passes.

We would particularly like to thank our landowners for their continued stewardship of this special landscape and for their willingness to once again allow access across their properties. Without their ongoing support, the Grootvadersbosch trail network would not exist. The trails will remain closed while this essential work is undertaken. We will continue to provide updates as progress is made and will announce the reopening of individual sections as they become safe and ready for use.

​If all goes according to plan, we hope to begin welcoming riders back to the Grootvadersbosch trails within the next 2 months.

Thank you again for your patience, understanding and continued support as we work to restore both the trails and the landscapes that make them so special.