Explore the Nature of Port Elizabeth and surrounding areas with Peter Giddy Guided Tours -- June 2018 van Stadens Hiking Trail.

Van Stadens Flower Reserve Hiking Trail -- June 2018

Peter Giddy Guided Tours -- peter.giddy@gmail.com

Peter will take you and your group on this hiking trail.

 The entrance to the Reserve is well marked from the Old Cape Road.

 And now we are in the reserve

 Winter flowering Strelitzia and Uitenhage Aloe.

 There are fields of Protea blooming at present

 The protea have completely recovered after the fires of 2017

Joshua and Daniel with their Hogsback walking sticks
We start the trail at the Reserve where there are both Braai and Picnic areas and plenty of parking.  The trail takes us into the Valley with the River below and we walk along the contour for the first part of the hike.
This half of the hike is in the open so we have beautiful views across the valleys and down below to the river. There are some rocky sections where you have to be a little careful not to slip or to fall.  A year ago this valley was completely burned out but now the grass and flowers are recovering and the valley is looking good again.

I am with a group of 11 walkers on including my two Grandchildren -- Joshua and Daniel.

Contouring on the side of the valley with Kelly and her two boys -- Daniel and Alex

 Joshua and Daniel look down to the River below

 Lovely walking pathways over rocky sections with Alan; Carryn and Anne

 Joshua; Daniel; Daniel; Kelly and Alex

 Once we exit the valley we walk for a short while on the road to the picnic stop

A break for an apple; Naartjie or Banana
We stop after about 4km for a snack break and then we head down into the Forest section. From the Bridge we look across to Woodridge which was all but destroyed in the fires of 2017.  Now it looks amazing with the buildings rebuilt and look smart.  We then descend down to the Bridge and then under. On to the West side of the valley looking down to the stream below.  This is an up and down part of the walk. Indigenous forests and beautiful cool pathways to walk on.
The going is not easy for someone who struggles with either up or down hill walks and is a little slippery despite the ongoing drought.

Look across the N2 to Woodridge Schools

 Walking down to the Van Stadens Bridge.

Being under the bridge is a special experience

 Under the bridge and then onwards to the west side of the Valley

 Taking breaks on the walk means that no one is really out of breath despite the frequent ups and downs.

 A break just before we start to climb up and out of the valley.

 We all made it to the top of the valley -- Benny; Erma; Alan; Carryn; Yvonne; Kelly; Anne; Alex and Daniel; Joshua and Daniel.

The boys enjoy exploring the bird hide
It does not take us long before we climb up and out of the valley and back to the road.  We take the detour to see the dam and bird hide which the boys enjoy exploring. There are unfortunately no birds to be seen.

From here it is a short walk to the camp site and over the bridge back to our cars.  A great 2.30hour hiking trail which is completely manageable.

Visitors to Port Elizabeth -- This is a great way to meet South African Locals and to enjoy a bit of non touristic, authentic outdoors.
Contact Peter
peter.giddy@gmail.com