Robberg Hiking trail to the Point 15 May 2021. Peter Giddy guided tours in Plettenberg Bay.

 

Robberg Hiking trail to the Point 15 May 2021.  Peter Giddy guided tours in Plettenberg Bay.

Peter is an experienced hike leader.   Contact Peter to join the group or for a private booking of hikes such as the Robberg in Plettenberg Bay.    peter.giddy@gmail.com.  OR   0027 82 550 3174  

Saturday 15th May 2021

I have a Group of 18 x walkers who I take to hike the Robberg Point trail in Plettenberg Bay.  

We leave Port Elizabeth at 6.30am in two mini busses.   There are 3 x Stop and Go on the way plus our stop at the Storms River mouth for some breakfast and toilets -- our drive to Plettenberg Bay takes us 3.5 hours.  I had registered on line for this hike.  We start walking at about 10.00am.   

With a group as big as this we are slow.  Picture taking and admiring the views is an important feature of the hike.   Only myself, Ally and Ritva have been here before.   The views and splendour of the Robberg overwhelms the walkers.   

Today the weather is kind to us.   A cool overcast morning with a temperature of 20 to 22 degrees makes walking on open trails fairly comfortable.   The first part of the hike is reasonably easy.  We get to the Gap and then start the first of many ascents.   Ally is in the lead and the instruction is to remain behind Ally in an effort to stay together as a group.   Experience has taught me that we will always have some of the hikers who prefer to be in front and ahead of the group while others will either be slow or be taking pictures and admiring views.   

We constantly regroup, take pics, allowing the slower of the group to catch up.   I remain at the back of the group throughout the hike today.   The walk to the point takes us about 2 hours.  Here we stop for a snack break before continuing back along the western side of the peninsular.   This is when the really tough part of the hike begins.  There are rocks and boulders to climb over and there are steep climbs.  We have to walk up and down stairs and pathways that are uneven, rocky and difficult to manage.   Finally we reach the beaches of the Island.   We decide to explore the Island boardwalk where again there are long stops for picture taking.   

The last section of this hike takes us over the beach and back onto a rocky pathway.  From the Gap we continue on the western side of the Robberg which requires a bit of a steep clambering on a rocky pathway before we step onto the the final pathway leading to back to the parking area.   

This hike took us 5 hours as we arrive at the cars at 3pm.   There is a kiosk and toilets at the parking area.  A number of people have come here to braai and simply enjoy the views that Robberg has to offer.  We climb into the vehicles and begin the drive home.   Again we stop at Storms River for something to eat and the last of the toilet breaks.   We get back into Port Elizabeth at 6.30pm.   It has been a 12 hour day.   

After the Gap the first climb up a rocky stairway.  This is the easy part of the hike

Looking back towards Plett

Ally was the hike leader today. 

In the hike group:  Ayanda, Vuyo and Lungi,  Ayanda and Chris,  Ronel. Brenda, Brittany and Hayley,  Ritva,  Jeanne and Glynette,  Cheryl,  Robert,  Katharine,  Ludivine,  Ally and myself.   

The map of the Robberg

Looking down to the Seal Colony.  

Rocky pathways and climbs makes the going tough on the second half of the hike. 

We walk down to the Point

Ayanda and I are climbing the stairs

A long pathway on the East side of the Robberg. 

On the road to Plettenberg Bay we have three stop and go's.   Her Lungi; Ayanda; Jeanne and Katharine have fun dancing in the road. 

Ally was the lead hiker today.  Regularly calling for a time to regroup.  

Walking up sand dunes at Witsand. 

The white water at the point.  Here we see seals as they swim in these enormous waves that crash onto the jagged rocks. 

Rock climbing and stairs make the second half of the walk tough. 

Climbing up the stairs. 

Ayanda; Vuyo. Ayanda and Lungi

Looking down on the west side of the Robberg.  We can see the Island in the distance. 

Hayley; Brittany and Ronel.  

Calm seas on the East Side of the Robberg.  Cloud cover made for a cool hike.  

Witsand.  This is where you should turn around if you have not prepared with sufficient water or if you arrive here much after midday.  From here, to hike around the point,  you probably have at least 3 hours of walking to do.   And each hiker should have a minimum of 1.5 liters of water on a cool day and two liters on a warm day.  Today was cool and many of the hikers drank the last of their water.  

Ayanda showing off on the rocks.   Plett is in the background

Ronel, Brenda and Ritva

This is the Fountain Hut where it is possible to stay over for a night.   You need to carry everything from sleeping bags to food with you.  

Milkweed locusts on the trail.  

A pair of Milkweed Locusts.   Unfortunately some people believe them to be a menace and will crush them as they would a cockroach in the home.  

Steep and uneven.  Up and down.   A slow difficult pathway on the second half of the trail. 

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.   

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

Hiking to the Point at Robberg

Do not take this hike lightly.   You need a minimum of 1.5 liters of water per person, on a cool day and on a hot sunny day take two liters pp. Snacks and energy bars plus a small first aid kit should be part of your kit.  Although the trail is marked, you may want to have an experienced hiker on the trail with you.  Leave yourself 5 hours for the trail.  During the winter months you do not want to start hiking after midday.  In the summer months you want to start as early as possible to avoid the heat of the day.    Check the weather before leaving.   You may need a wind breaker or you may be going to experience extreme heat.  And on this trail there is no escape.  There is no way to end the trail except on your feet.   If you are tired and weary by the time you get to the sand dunes,  it may be best to walk westwards to towards the Island rather than continuing to the point.   You want to enjoy this hike.   A reasonable amount of leg strength and fitness is required to enjoy the walk all the way around the Point.   

This is a Milkweed Locust.   I saw a number of these had been squashed on the trail.   Please do not do that.  These invertabrates form a valuable part of the eco system on the Robberg. 

On Saturday 15th May 2021 we walked around the Robberg Point.   It took us 5 hours.   Some of this hike is tough,  Difficult climbs,  Steep Descents,  Boulder climbs;  dangerous drop offs;  possibility of strong winds and mist, possibility of dehydration.   This hike should not be taken lightly.   Proper preparation is essential if you plan to hike all the way around the Point.   

Steep cliffs, clear water, literally thousands of seals and the most amazing views to the East and Plettenberg Bay. 

Table Mountain Sandstone and Conglomerates.  Evidence of ancient rockfalls.   The rewards for undertaking this hike.  

What we did not see is the Cape Seal Lighthouse.   I will have to ensure that we do so on the next hike.