Maitlands Hiking Trails -- Port Elizabeth -- June 2018 with Peter Giddy Guided Tours

Maitlands Hiking Trails -- Port Elizabeth -- June 2018 with Peter Giddy Guided Tours

Join Peter Giddy for a 2-3 hour walking trail
There are a variety of options including Coastal and Forest walks

Other Tours

• Addo Elephant National Reserve
• Kragga Kamma Wildlife Reserve
• City; Cultural; Historical and Township Tours
• Garden Route and Adventure Tours. 
• Airport; Wildlife Reserves and Hotel Transfers

Contact Peter at peter.giddy@gmail.com

Maitlands Walking Trail on the Destades Route.

From Cows Corner on the corner of the road to Seaview Village and Kragga Kamma Roads.  Take the Destades Road and look for the Maitlands Road Intersection.

Turn left into Maitlands Road until you see the Sign with the Trails marked on the Right hand side before you reach the beaches and Dunes.

We start walking at 9am -- There are 13 hikers today.  Carrin is our leader.  Also on the hike -- Sheila and her son Dave with his daugher Nicole and Friend Ashleigh;  Annette; Alice; Jenny who was on the walk in Sleepy Hollow on Wednesday.

We will be doing the Destades Trail of 9km  -- about 2.5 hours.

 After a few minutes of walking some of the group members start to remove their outer layers of clothing.  This morning was chilly to begin but within minutes we feel the warmth of the sun and the walking.

 Look out for this sign as you reach the top of the first climb.  You may need to take a few breathers on the way up as it is a fairly long walk to the top.

 At the top of the first climb we regroup before turning left into the forest on the Destades path

 Looking down to the Beaches and Dunes of Maitlands River Mouth

 Snack Break -- I usually take an Orange and Banana

We walk up the long hill to the Destades Turn off.  The sign reads Destandes but dont be put off with the incorrect spelling. Here we regroup and then turn left into the forest.
The forest walk continues mainly on a contour before we see the beaches and dunes below us

We stop for a snack and then begin the homeward bound loop.  At this stage there is a number of climbs.  Nothing as tough as the opening climb but you must be careful both of the overhanging branches as well as the slippery roots and trail.
It is a most beautiful trail and you feel that you are really completely out of city life.

Beautiful walks under the canopy on forest trails

 Looking back to the Maitlands River mouth and the pipe crossing the mouth.

 The Maitlands road where our cars are parked

 Regular regrouping means that we are never under pressure to keep up with the front walkers

Once we reach the clearing we all check for ticks.
We look across to the Maitlands River Mouth and the Maitlands Road where we parked the cars.
This is not an easy walk and takes a full 2.5 hours.  But really worth the effort to be in this amazingly natural environment.

Finally we walk into the open clearing where everyone checks for ticks and then out onto the road.  Some  of the group will join the Short Walking group for a picnic lunch.