Hikers and trail users have been urged to avoid sections of Newlands Forest on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, as a specialised heli hacking operation is scheduled to take place on the upper slopes of the forest, reports Cape {town} Etc.
According to a notice issued by South African National Parks (SANParks), the operation will be conducted in the northern section of Table Mountain National Park, with helicopters ferrying skilled volunteers into steep, inaccessible terrain to remove alien invasive trees.
SANParks said the operation will involve experienced mountaineers and tree surgeons trained in chainsaw use, rope access and high-angle techniques.
Due to the use of helicopters and active tree-felling on exposed slopes, park users have been asked to avoid the affected areas until the operation is complete.
What is heli hacking?
Heli hacking is an advanced conservation technique used to clear invasive alien plant species from rugged mountain areas that cannot be safely accessed on foot. The method combines aviation expertise with specialist mountaineering skills, allowing helicopters to deploy climbwes and their equipment directly onto steep cliffs and rocky slopes.
Once on site, teams – who are trained both as rock climbers and chainsaw operators – fell invasive trees such as pine and silky hakea, which pose serious threat to biodiversity and water security in the Western Cape. These species consume large amounts of water and displace indigenous vegetation, placing pressure on already scarce catchment systems.
Operations are carefully planned around weather conditions, terrain and environmental sensitivity, with strict safety protocols in place. Helicopters are piloted by specialists experienced in high-altitude flying, while climbers use harnesses, ropes and protective gear to work safely in extreme conditions.
Tuesday’s operation follows after a record-breaking operation took place in the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area in November 2025, where volunteers cleared more than 16 000 invasive pine trees over three days, restoring 2 500 hectares of critical mountain catchment, as reported by CapeNature.
That operation protected a key water source feeding the Duivenhoks Dam, which supplies around 15 000 residents. Since the Helihack project began in 2014, thousands of invasive trees have been removed across the Western Cape, helping to restore natural habitats and strengthen strategic water source areas.
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Picture: Wilderness Search and Rescue WSAR Western Cape / Facebook
