William Hoy ran the South African railways and came to Hermanus to fish in the 1920s as often as he could. His favourite spot was the crown of this hill, where he watched the bay in the late afternoon and planned the next day with his fishing guide. When he died in February 1930 he was buried up there, and his wife beside him in 1935. It was the guide who laid the first path up the hill.
- grave of Sir William Hoy
- 1930
- loop, wheelchair friendly
- 1.2 km
- to the crown
- 15 minutes
- no admission
- free
Today a 1.2 kilometre loop with a firm surface runs around the koppie, wide enough for a wheelchair or a pushchair. The detour to the crown is steeper, a quarter of an hour up rock steps, and worth it for the view: the whole town, the bay, the mountains behind. Caves in the slope sheltered people thousands of years ago. There are entrances from Mitchell Street and from the park on Main Road.
- Time needed
- an hour
- Cost
- free
- When
- all year, during daylight
- From the Old Harbour
- 0.6 km
Our tipGo up in the early evening, with the sun standing over the bay. It is the same view Hoy had, and the same reason.
Hoy's Koppie: common questions
Who was Sir William Hoy?
The head of the South African railways, who came to Hermanus to fish in the 1920s as often as he could. He died in February 1930 and was buried on the crown of the hill, with his wife beside him in 1935.
How long is the loop at Hoy's Koppie?
1.2 kilometres with a firm surface, wide enough for a wheelchair or a pushchair. The detour to the crown takes a quarter of an hour up rock steps. Entrances on Mitchell Street and at the park on Main Road, free to enter.