A Walkway Reborn: Repairs Begin on Wilderness’s Beloved Waterside Boardwalk

Good news is winding its way along the Touw River in the Garden Route National Park. This week, the South African National Parks (SANParks) team began a crucial restoration project on the beloved Waterside Boardwalk, a iconic wooden walkway that has suffered from recent floods and wear.

The boardwalk is a cornerstone of the Wilderness experience, offering visitors a unique, low-impact path to immerse themselves in the serene beauty of the river estuary and its surrounding forest. However, the forces of nature that make it so beautiful have also taken their toll.

“The prominent and popular boardwalk… has sustained damage over the past year due to repeated flooding events and natural weathering,” confirmed Reynolds Thakhuli, SANParks’ acting head of communications.

The refurbishment, which started on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, is a dedicated effort to ensure this treasured asset is safe, stable, and sustainable for the future. The work involves carefully replacing worn-out timber sections and reinforcing the structural framework.

In a commitment to the park’s conservation ethos, SANParks is using environmentally sustainable materials designed to better withstand the local coastal climate and minimize the ecological footprint of the structure.

While this essential maintenance is underway, visitors are kindly requested to heed all safety signage and use the designated alternative routes within the Wilderness Section. The good news is that the rest of the park remains fully open for business.

“Maintenance work is expected to be completed by 31 March 2026,” Thakhuli stated. “The Wilderness Section remains open for day visitors and overnight guests, with all other trails and facilities operating as normal.”

This careful stewardship ensures that the magic of the Garden Route National Parkfrom its rugged Tsitsikamma cliffs to the tranquil lakes of Wildernesswill continue to be accessible for all. SANParks has extended its thanks to the public for their understanding as they work to restore this much-loved feature.

{Source: IOL}

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