Bergrivier Hiking trails Saturday 2nd January 2021

Bergrivier Hiking trails Saturday 2nd January 2021

The Port Elizabeth version of the Bergrivierr hiking trail starts on the R331 to Hankey.   

We meet in PE and the Windfarm to drive in a 3 car convoy.   In my vehicle are Jeanne;  Mark and Daughter Dante;  Burnita and Loes (Louise who works with Claudine).   Stefany; Anton and son Louis with Kirsten who was at school with Ally;   Tania and Emile first time with us.  

We register and then start our walk.   Down past the Ox wagon cottages;  To the Red Trail which starts at the Mine entrance.   

The Red trail is a rather steep uphill and not an easy trail at all.   Fortunately for us it is not too hot at this time.   Up and up we climb.   There are fallen trees across the trail which makes it a little tougher at times.   But we all cope and come out of these obstacles.   

The trail takes a right turn at the fence line;  Up to the Jeep Track;  Then Left and more up.   To the point where we walk off the jeep track to the left through a steep narrow pathway.   

You should be vigilant and on the look out for the Red Blocks or tape as it is easy to lose the trail.   The trail is well marked but easy to become distracted and make a wrong turn.   

We walk through indigenous forests up and down until we finally arrive at the Silver Nguni Trail sign.   Here we continue along the ridge until we find the steep downhill.   We need to be careful not to slip.   This section can be tough on the knees and Loes finds her knees are taking strain.   

We drop all the way down to the stream below where we turn righ and then make our way alongside the stream for about 20 minutes before arriving at the waterfall.   

This is an ideal place for a snack break and a swim.   Cooling down;  Good for sore and tired legs.   The water is perfect to swim.   

After our snack and swim we turn back along the pathway that follows and crosses the stream until we are back at the bottom of the Nguni Trail .   

From here it is a short walk to the final crossing and up to the fields.   The last section is up back to where we have parked the cars.   

Todays hike was about 7km and took us 3.5 hours.

We end the day with a coffee and biscuit at the Windfarm coffee shop.  

We take the pathway past the Ox Wagon cottages to the Red Route;  Past the Mine and up and up. 

We are at the first level of the steep uphills.   The climb is making everyone know that they are on a tough hike. 

Loes (Louise) at the top of one of the steep climbs. 

Tania and Emile on their first hike with our group. 

Kirsten and Louis  (Kirsten was at Pearson with Ally).   Louis is the eldest son of Stefany and Anton. 

Jeanne and Burnita.  Best friends.  Have been on a number of hikes with us. 

Mark and his daughter Dante.   

Looking across the views.   It has been hard work to get this high. 

Views of the valleys below. 

At last.  This sign means that the Up Hills are now done.   We leave the Red Route for the Silver Route.  Now we are on the top of the ridge with a steep tough down hill ahead of us. 

Down in the valley we walk alongside the stream. 

Crossing the stream are Stefany and Anton

Loes makes sure of her footing across the stream . 

Mark; Dante; Burnita and Jeanne.  

I find this interesting beetle. Speckled Forest Clickbeetle.  

After our snack and swim the pathway  is reasonably easy back to the cars.   About 40 minutes.  

The final crossing before we go up to the fields and the cars. 

Our hike was successful.   Tough,   Worthwhile.  The group today -- Burnita;  Jeanne;  Mark;  Dante;  Louis;  Tania; Emile;  Kirsten; Loes;  Anton and Stefany. 

Do you like what you have seen on this blog?

Would you like to take part in this or other hiking trails in the Port Elizabeth and Garden Route districts?

Would you like to invite friends or work colleagues to an authentic outdoor experience?   Tough or easy.  This is what I do.   

Are you visiting South Africa and would like a real South African experience?  Sharing a day of outdoors with fellow travellers or with locals?   

Contact Peter to make a booking or to talk about your plans and ideas

SA Guided Tours and Peter Giddy Guided Tours -- Shore Excursions -- Addo Elephant and other Wildlife Reserves -- Garden Route.  Flowers of Namaqualand -- 

0027 (0) 82 55 03 714    Whatsup
peter.giddy@gmail.com
Addo Elephant Park Day Visit and Night drive. 

• Kragga Kamma Wildlife Reserve
• Daniel Cheetah Project
• Pumba; Shamwari; Amakhala; Kariega -- Day trips Private Reserves.
• Three day tour of Mountain Zebra Park. Graaff Reinet, Nieu Bethesda and Addo. 
• City Historical and Cultural Tours, 
• Horse riding for both experienced and inexperienced riders
• Hikes and Walks around Port Elizabeth (2 hour Nature and Coastal walks)
• Garden Route Adventure Tours (Zip Lines; Segway  in the Forest; Adventure Quad Biking; Bridge Walks; Bungy Jump; Knysna Elephant Park; Monkey Land and Birds of Eden; Big Cats Sanctuary; Oudtshoorn Cango Caves and Ostrich farms)
• Shore Excursions from Passengers ships
• Transfers. Airport; Hotel and Wildlife Reserve.
• Flowers of Namaqualand.  Seven days of adventure and exploring places and sights you never even knew existed.  History and natural beauty of the South West of South Africa
• Karoo to Garden Route. Six days of fun and activities.  Prince Albert; Swartberg Pass; Die Hell; Oudtshoorn; Prince Alfred pass; Plett and Tsitsikamma. 

Website --   petergiddyguidedtours.wordpress.com

For tours and bookings.. email me at.    peter.giddy@gmail.com
Contact me on Whatsup....  0027 082 550 3174

Bergrivier trail with Loes;  Peter and Emile

Peter talks about Mpepho.   Kooi plant

Something must have amused me. 

We start walking past the Ossewaens.  Ox Wagons

We finally get to the pool and waterfall.   This is a real treat. 

On the trail with Tania and Emile. 

Mark tans on the rocks. 

At the start of the trail .   

Bergrivier waterfall pool and swimming taken from the top of the waterfall when Emile climbed up to check it out. 

Pools above the waterfall. 

Walking in the Forest.  

Panoramic views from the top of the trail. 

Contact Peter Giddy (Tour Guide and Hike leader)  to arrange a hike for you and your friends or work teams.    This is something you will keep with you as a goal achieved and a special day.  

SA Guided Tours and Peter Giddy Guided Tours -- Shore Excursions -- Addo Elephant and other Wildlife Reserves -- Garden Route.  Flowers of Namaqualand -- 

0027 (0) 82 55 03 714    Whatsup
peter.giddy@gmail.com
Addo Elephant Park Day Visit and Night drive. 

• Kragga Kamma Wildlife Reserve
• Daniel Cheetah Project
• Pumba; Shamwari; Amakhala; Kariega -- Day trips Private Reserves.
• Three day tour of Mountain Zebra Park. Graaff Reinet, Nieu Bethesda and Addo. 
• City Historical and Cultural Tours, 
• Horse riding for both experienced and inexperienced riders
• Hikes and Walks around Port Elizabeth (2 hour Nature and Coastal walks)
• Garden Route Adventure Tours (Zip Lines; Segway  in the Forest; Adventure Quad Biking; Bridge Walks; Bungy Jump; Knysna Elephant Park; Monkey Land and Birds of Eden; Big Cats Sanctuary; Oudtshoorn Cango Caves and Ostrich farms)
• Shore Excursions from Passengers ships
• Transfers. Airport; Hotel and Wildlife Reserve.
• Flowers of Namaqualand.  Seven days of adventure and exploring places and sights you never even knew existed.  History and natural beauty of the South West of South Africa
• Karoo to Garden Route. Six days of fun and activities.  Prince Albert; Swartberg Pass; Die Hell; Oudtshoorn; Prince Alfred pass; Plett and Tsitsikamma. 

Website --   petergiddyguidedtours.wordpress.com

For tours and bookings.. email me at.    peter.giddy@gmail.com
Contact me on Whatsup....  0027 082 550 3174