Tour Overview

In the mid-19th century the early inhabitants of Hermanuspietersfontein called it “Klip Kop”– an isolated hill rising some 75 metres above sea-level on the otherwise flat plain on which their village lay. Today Klipkop are better known as Hoy’s Koppie. Named after Sir William Hoy, who was one of the most charismatic figures in Hermanus history. Scottish-born and head of the Cape and South African Railways in the 1920s , Sir William Hoy fell in love with Hermanus and visited the village repeatedly over the years where he stayed at the famous Marine Hotel. One of his greatest pleasures was to climb Klip Kop with his fishing friend Danie Woensdregt, looking out over Walker Bay and so they planned the next day’s fishing expedition. On his death, his wife, Lady Gertrude Hoy informed Woensdregt that her husband had expressed a wish to be buried at the top of the Koppie. Woensdregt made arrangements, including the construction of the first formal path on the Koppie. Later, Lady Gertrude was buried alongside her husband. And so “Klip Kop” became “Hoy’s Koppie” and both graves remain preserved at the top of the koppie.

• 2-3 Hour
• Age 12+
• Hermanus