Hikers Can Now Report Trail Issues With Ease Using the Forge App
We have all experienced this at some stage; you’re hiking down a trail that becomes overgrown, the sharp Fynbos is lashing at your shins and moments later you’re basically leopard crawling while cursing beratingly, through a Sugarbush tunnel that’s grown over the path at chest height. Or what about that time when you were crossing a short wooden bridge with a few broken planks thinking “They should fix that!” and simply going on? To assist hiking safety, accessibility and conservation, CapeNature’s digital hiking maps partner, Forge, has launched the ‘Trail Issue Alert’ function on the Forge App, enabling you to report trail issues you encounter with ease.
The Trail Issue Alert function allows app users to report issues directly from the app via a simple form. Issues that can be logged include:
- Damaged or missing trail infrastructure (like erosion logs and boardwalks),
- Overgrown or closed paths and,
- Forge map discrepancies (incorrect or out-of-date information/data).
The alert form includes a map where you can pinpoint the exact location of the issue and an image upload option to enhance issue descriptions. Alerts submitted are instantly received by Forge, allowing us to update our digital maps and inform CapeNature swiftly.
CapeNature has an extensive trail network dotted around the Western Cape. Forge currently hosts 14 CapeNature reserve maps, including large - and remote - nature reserves such as the Cederberg and Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Areas. Keeping our maps up-to-date is a top priority for us to ensure that we provide accurate and reliable information, and you can help us do that, to the benefit of the hiking community.
Forge has been the official digital hiking maps partner of CapeNature for almost two years and as our relationship has developed, we have realised that we can aid communication between you and them, by empowering you, the visitor, to assist with conservation efforts by crowdsourcing and sharing information via up-to-date maps freely available on the Forge App. The ‘Trail Issue Alert’ aims to bridge the gap between trail users and trail managers.
The Trail Issue Alert is (at the time of writing) in beta testing and we encourage CapeNature guests and visitors to try it out and let us know what you think - feedback really does help us to refine the tool's functionality and make sure that it works for you. By working together, we can keep our hiking trails in top condition and help ensure the sustainable conservation of our beloved nature reserves.
Related News
CapeNature rangers praised for heroic rescue of stranded UK tourist
A visit to the iconic Robberg Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Area — one of the Garden Route’s most celebrated gems — turned into a life-threatening ordeal for a London tourist, and a powerful reminder of humanity of CapeNature’s field rangers. For Ms Rosalind Innes, Robberg had been a long-awaited addition to her South African travel itinerary.
CapeNature bust - R500,000 fine for illegal reptile trafficking in the Western Cape
On Thursday, 12 February 2026, a Spanish citizen Mr David Navarro Roman (41) was convicted in the Vredendal Regional Court for the illegal possession and importation of 22 Armadillo Girdled lizards (Ouroborus cataphractus) and one speckled dwarf tortoise (Chersobius signatus) from Northern Cape to the Western Cape.
How CapeNature and partners "Reverse the Red"
Reverse the Red is “a global coalition of conservation organisations and species experts working together to accelerate action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss” and every year, 7 February marks Reverse the Red day. The term stems from the effort conservations make to try and reduce the number of species on the IUCN Red List.
CapeNature goes cashless at select nature reserves
In line with its commitment to service excellence, sustainability, and safety, CapeNature is excited to announce the transition to a fully cashless payment system at five of its flagship nature reserves from 2 February 2026. The move will streamline operations, reduce queue times, and enhance the visitor experience while reducing the risks associated with cash handling.
Celebrating the cultural heritage of wetlands on World Wetlands Day 2026
As the world commemorates World Wetlands Day annually on 2 February, CapeNature joins communities across the Western Cape in recognising the deep and enduring relationship between people, culture and wetlands, celebrating under the 2026 theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge… Celebrating Cultural Heritage”.
Cederberg fire recovery and visitor access
After a significant wildfire spread throughout the Cederberg Wilderness Area during the festive period, recovery and reopening efforts are now underway as CapeNature looks forward to welcoming visitors again. CapeNature has begun a comprehensive recovery programme, which will continue over the next six to twelve months.