Peter Giddy Guided Tours -- Hiking the Sacramento Trail near to Port Elizabeth June 2018

Peter Giddy Guided Tours -- Hiking the Sacramento Trail near to Port Elizabeth June 2018

To join Peter and the Hiking Group contact
Peter Giddy Guided Tours

peter.giddy@gmail.com

 The start of the Sacramento Trail with Lynne at the front

The Dune Trail is a little more adventurous and we are 13 hikers on this trail.

Thursday 7th June
A group of men and women who enjoy the outdoors and wonderful views around Port Elizabeth meet to share the experience of the Sacramento Trails.  There are a variety of options and the group splits into the slightly easier hike and the dune hike. 
I am with Carryn (hike leader today) on the Dune Trail.
I generally like to remain at the back of the group to aid anyone needing assistance or to stay with a hiker who may be struggling.

This morning we meet at Schoenmakerskop which is less than a half hour drive from Port Elizabeth.  In total there are just less than 50 people taking part.  The majority opt for the trail along the beach front.  13 of us are with Carryn on the Dune Trail.

Looking down from the top of the Dune Trail to the beach below where the other group walks past the bones of a beached whale

On the way back after our snack break with Bennie and Elsa.  Also in this group is our leader Carryn; Leon; Mervin; David, Anne and Brian.
At the same time in 2017 there were devastating fires in this area.  The village only just managed to avoid homes being burnt.  The vegetation suffered and the dunes were almost bare at that time.  Now, a year later, the vegetation (Coastal Fynbos) is recovering and the trails are back to being interesting and fun to walk.

Anne takes the opportunity to examine the vertebra of the whale. 

 A rib bone of the whale.  I took my shirt off as there was a berg wind and my shirt was wet from the dune section.

We regroup at the Sacramento information point.
The Dune Trail takes walkers up and down dunes, most of which have steps to aid the stabilizing of the dune. This makes walking a bit easier.    We walk on to Borellis Pass and then to the Sardinia Bay Beaches where we stop for a break and snack.  I empty my shoes of the sand to make the return walk a little more comfortable.  On the way back we pass the remains of a beached whale.  And then the point where the wreck of the Sacramento is remembered.

Sitting down for a rest on the final hill of the trail.  Mervin and Anne are guaranteed of "Everlasting happiness and peace"
The walk today takes us around 2 hours and is probably about 8km.

Are you planning to visit Port Elizabeth?  And would you like to be part of an activity such as this one?
Contact Peter Giddy Guided Tours and Peter will personally walk with you and introduce you to some of the local South African people who have similar interests.
peter.giddy@gmail.com

This activity can be combined with a visit to a Wildlife Reserve or other points of interest for visitors to South Africa.