Guides in Port Elizabeth -- Peter Giddy Guided Tours -- SPRINGS HIKING TRAIL NEAR TO UITENHAGE -- JUNE 2017

Peter Giddy is an experienced hiker and guide.  Should you want an adventure or hike in the Port Elizabeth or Garden Route area -- Contact peter.giddy@gmail.com  or +27 82 550 3174
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SPRINGS HIKING TRAIL NEAR TO UITENHAGE -- JUNE 2017


I have been slack in recent months when it comes to joining the Wednesday Hiking Group.  But this morning determined to do some walking, I phone Robin and arranged to meet at 7.45am. 
I had tried to run earlier this morning but had a bit of a sore ankle and knee so walked back home.

I have time for a quick breakfast of cereal and then pack my sling bag with fruit and water. I meet up with Robin and Dave and it turns out we are the only hikers so we leave at 8.00am for Uitenhage.  We are in Robins car and take the Uitenhage road past Despatch and then Uitenhage onto the R75.  The turn off to Springs camping ground is a few km after you leave Uitenhage.

Entrance to the Springs Camping ground where the trail begins
Drive on a tar road for about 2km after the turn off and through the gates into the camping / picnic area. There we meet the other Dave and start the hike.
The very first bit is neglected and overgrown with thorn bush.  Robin has a pair of garden cutters and he leads the way cutting away at the Needle bush and other branches that block our way.  It is not a long section but necessary to clear the path.  Next time we should all have some kind of shears and garden gloves to clear pathways.

Robin cutting away the thorny stuff to allow us to walk through

Interesting flowers and bushes on the path

Almost like an orchid in shape
Once through this narrow bush we turn right and begin the uphill.  It is not particularly steep nor is it long. After a short climb we have the view of the Springs Camping site below, Uitenhage in the background as well as being able to see the route that we will be taking for our hike this morning. The weather was quite chilly to start off but as soon as we begin our climb we start to warm up and I walk without a shirt for the rest of the hike.

plant often seen in the area of the Albany Thicket

Looking back across the valley and down towards the camp site

Robin; Dave and Dave taking a breather. 
We see all kinds of rock and flowers which make the hike quite special. At one time we hear the sound of a cows bell.  We find a small herd of cattle. The trail is a circular one and we soon reach the ridge which we walk along until we reach a couple of turns.  It is important to know where you are going or to have an experienced hiker with you as it is easy to become "lost" on the pathways.  We find the Tower which Robin instructs Dave and I that we "Have" to climb. The rungs of the ladder are loose and so you must be careful climbing it.  It would be easy to slip on a loose rung and so you must test each one and be holding firmly on the uprights at all times. 
Here we mentioned that we should bring a hammer and some long nails the next time we are there.

While the aloe display is not at its best, it is nevertheless quite beautiful to see the colours.

Dave; Dave and Robin -- taking a break as we reach the top of each hill.  The hills are not so tough but it is best to catch your breath and to stretch -- like Robin is doing.

I am at the top of this tower with Robin and Dave below.

The other Dave climbed up with me.  It is not a safe tower as the ladder rungs are loose and the boards are dried out and rickety.

From below the tower looks safe enough but caution should be exercised when climbing up

Robin and Dave contemplate the last bit of this mornings walk.
This point is the "official" stop for a snack.
From here it is an easy downhill all the way back to the camp.  The drive from Cape Road is not much more than 40 minutes.  The total distance of the Springs Trail that we did today is about 6km of rugged tracks and pathways.  It is not a well used trail and so the leader should be familiar with the trail.