Van Stadens Flower Reserve hiking trails. With Peter Giddy: Saturday 17th April 2021
Saturday 17th April 2021. I have a group of 25 people, Young and older, who I take for a 3.5 hour 9km hiking trail in the Van Stadens Flower reserve near to Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha.
We leave from Port Elizabeth at 7.45am and meet at the reserve. I do the introductions and explain the hiking trails we will be taking -- We will start off with the River Trail and then continue on to the Boulder trail (With an easier option if the Boulder trail looks too tough); We then stop for a snack break before continuing on to the Link trail under the Van Stadens River bridge. The final trail will be the Forest walk. We anticipate the total time of the walk, including multiple stops to regroup and to rest when required, will be 3 x hours. I advise people to take at least 1.5 lit of water per person and to have had a breakfast before leaving. Wear light clothing and take a hat or cap. Running shoes should be adequate but best if you have hiking boots.
In the group today: Sally K; Cheryl; Ritva and Janny who travel with me to the start. Noelene; AJ (AnneMarie); Ayanda; Chris and Lily; Vanessa; Gillian; Seelan and Kelly; Bertus, Christien, JP and Jana; Connie; Tremaine and Giselle; Helouise and Marco; Janice, Brett and Rachel;
The hike starts at 89.00am and we walk over the N2 Bridge on the tar road. We turn right into the River Trail. At this stage the pathway is reasonably easy. We then pass the 2km mark and the trail begins to be a little more difficult with rocky surfaces and some almost dangerous fall offs to the right where we can see the stream below.
After about an hour we make the decision that everyone is going to attempt the Boulder walk. This is the tougher option and here some of the hikers will become foot weary and as we begin to climb, lungs and heart rate will be stressed. The big boulders and rocky walking surface makes this section a little more difficult. At times we need to use hands and feet to climb. There is nothing technical but you need average fitness to negotiate this section. The last bit takes you up a steep climb to the picnic area. Here you will understand why I have told you to take a minimum of 1.5 liters of water. On a hot day you may become exhausted and dehydrated if you do not have a reasonable level of fitness.
We take a 15 minute break for something to eat and to drink. Some people opt to take a shorter and easier route back to the cars. The rest of us continue on the Link Trail under the bridge and across to the West side of the N2 freeway where we take the Upper Forest Trail. This is a fairly long stretch especially as you may have tired legs. There are a series of short ups and downs. We have to negotiate fallen logs, slippery pathways, roots and rocks. Finally we arrive at the pool where we take a break before continuing up to the top of the hill and the start of the Forest walk,
Legs and feet are tired. We are all pretty much exhausted. There is still over one km to walk back to the parking area on a jeep track. This seems to be long and tedious. You can, if you wish, make a stop to visit the Bird Hide.
It has been a good morning of hiking. We took 3.5 hours (The front group took about 3.00 hours).
On our way home we stop for a Coffee and snack before driving home.
0027 (0) 82 55 03 714 Whatsup
peter.giddy@gmail.com
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Website -- petergiddyguidedtours.wordpress.com
Contact me on Whatsup.... 0027 082 550 3174
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