PETER GIDDY.: Hiking Van Stadens Dam Trail. Saturday 1st May 2021. Walkers Day.

Hiking Van Stadens Dam Trail. Saturday 1st May 2021. Walkers Day. .

This is the Forest Sugarbush. Different kind of Sugarbush Protea to that which we are used to seeing at the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve.

I have never got round to hiking the Van Stadens Rail bridge and the Van Stadens Dam trails. This is going to be a first for me and for everyone else in the group except for Faye who has done this walk before.

The road to the bridge is past Falcon Rock to the T Junction. Turn right and continue to the Gate. Park and then start the walk. We first hike to the Bridge which is a short distance from the gate. We then walk down the steep concrete "Road" to the first dam. This is more like a weir. The trail takes up to the top of the weir and then alongside the stream. We cross over to the east side of the stream and begin a climb to the top of the next hill. From here we look down to the Second Dam. A much more substantial dam which should be able to provide a steady supply of water to the local residents.

Over this hill we walk down again back to the stream which is now on the water supply side of the dam. We walk further upstream for a short while before stopping for our break.

After the break we walk back the way we have come. The return walk is much quicker and less pics are being taken. We are now all pretty tired. Some people have fallen. Others are just weary. We still have to walk up the Concrete road back to the cars. By the time we get there we are ready to put our feet up. We end the morning at the Windfarm coffee shop before going back home.

This is a reasonably tough hike with boulders to climb and rocky pathways. There are Two steep uphills and two steep downhills on the section we walked.

On the trail today -- Faye is our leader; Ally, Janny; Gillian K and Gillian J; Robert, Max, Daniel and Mark; Sally K; Ateline; Ludivine; Chris, Chris, Ayanda, Lily; Shelby and Katharine; Felicia and Luthelo; Kholeka;

The van Stadens Rail Bridge

Faye; Gillian and Sally

Katharine and Shelby

Gillian. Gillian and Janny

Ally and I at the Van Stadens Rail bridge

Kholeka and Ayanda

Our group today. On the trail today -- Faye is our leader; Ally, Janny; Gillian K and Gillian J; Robert, Max, Daniel and Mark; Sally K; Ateline; Ludivine; Chris, Chris, Ayanda, Lily; Shelby and Katharine; Felicia and Tumelo; Kholeka;

Walking up the Concrete Road. with Gillian, Gillian and Janny

Crossing the stream.

Water flowing strongly

Walking over some rocky bits with Gillian; Sally; Felicia and Kholeka

The relaxing at the poolside

Dragon Fly

A cheery Ally.

The rail line has been out of use for many years.

Looking down from the Rail Bridge to the Van Stadens River below.

Robert and his boys -- Max; Daniel and friends Mark

Chris looking across the valley.

Walking down this steep concrete road.

Ally fooling around as we walk down to the first dam

Ally on the trail in the valley

Ayanda does the dance moves

Kholeka having fun.

Lots of big boulders to climb on this trail.

These rocks would be under water when the river is flowing strongly

Katharine; Ally and Shelby.

Looking up the valley we are going to be climbing.

The Second Dam is a lot bigger than the first.

Looking back the way we came. Towards the Rail Bridge.

Walking in the shadows.

Gillian and Janny have a good friendship bond.

I perform my traditional talk about the trail and then the introduction.

Walking down towards the rail bridge

At last the rail bridge is ahead. It is really in quite good condition considering that it has not been operational for may years.

The group of friends on the trail. Faye; Gillian; Sally; Janny and Ateline

A pillar of bricks holds this rock up to prevent it from collapsing onto the concrete road.

The Van Stadens Dam hike is something really special. I will be back soon. The valley and views are unforgettable. Medium fitness is required. Perhaps a bit more than just medium. A bit of strength is also required for the climbing.

Peter Giddy's hiking and tours group..... To enjoy the outdoors and to discover and explore places you have never seen or experienced. Meet people and make new friends. I understand that not everyone is at the same level of fitness and ability. So I accommodate everyone but providing hikes to suite the individual. No one is left behind.

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