For The Love Of Nature

Elandsrivier - A first look!

Yesterday afternoon I had the privilege of hiking one of the new trails at Escape To Nature in the Elandsrivier area that we have been posting about the past few weeks.
Although in its current form it is only a 5km hike with an option to go to a viewpoint which will make it about 7-8km it is by no means easy! Keep in mind that this trail was only cut this week so the paths are still rough and need to be “flattened” by hiking them. It starts with an in your face climb up to the ridge which alone would make this a moderate hike. In your way up you pass the largest and most beautiful field of proteas I have ever seen. Once at the top you link up with a service road where you either go right to the viewpoint or left to continue the trail. This easy walking stretch is very much appreciated after the climb. Then you turn right and head through the protea field along an old oxwagon road that was discovered while creating the trail. This winds down into the gorge which is stunningly beautiful, but you need to be sure-footed here as the rocks and pathways are damp and slippery - another reason this trail is rated as moderate. Once through the gorge you pass through a gate back onto the Escape To Nature property where you walk through a magical road of tall bluegums back to the starting point.
There are other easier trails, (and more planned for the future) but we unfortunately did not have the opportunity to do them yesterday.

Elandsrivier update!

The folks at Escape To Nature have been hard at work this week under the expert guidance of Rob Witte cutting open the trails. Of course it is only right that “Rob se mense” will be the first group to experience them on Sunday 🥳!
We are also excited to announce that we are extending an open invitation to ALL hike leaders to join us on Sunday 26 July to come and explore the new trails so that you can guide your own groups in future. Please WhatsApp us directly on 0686293169 by 22 July to book your spot!
Trail Trekkers Hiking Tribe
Active Us - Wellness Coaching
Let's go hiking Port Elizabeth
Voetsac Hikers
The Tired and Lost Hikers
Start Hiking Gqeberha
Plett Hiking and Social
Mountain Hiking Crew
Mountain Club of SA - Eastern Province Section
Encounter the Eastern Cape with Firefly the Travel Guy
Sunshine Simplicities

What are you going to do this weekend?
Do you want to walk in beautiful forests? Maybe do your bit for Mandela Day? Explore nature in the middle of the city? We have all that and more for you to choose from!

PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINKS TO THE CLUBS FACEBOOK PAGE OR WHATSAPP GROUP FOR MORE DETAILED INFO.

*SATURDAY 18 JULY 2026*

EASY/ EASY+:

Club: Let's go hiking Port Elizabeth
Trail: Van Stadens Flower Reserve
https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRXdcEaikD42KFVQI21Ros?s=cl&p=a&ilr=4
Description: Beautiful fynbos trails at this well maintained reserve.
Distance: 7km
Cost: R30

Club: Algoa Bay Conservation
Trail: Pine Lodge to Cape Recife Lighthouse
https://www.facebook.com/share/1EzReCKkRx/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Description: A beach cleanup walk for Mandela Day with a lucky draw for a Raggy Charters - Marine-Eco Cruises cruise and interesting talks on shark conservation.
Distance: 7km
Cost: No cost

MODERATE:

Club: Start Hiking Gqeberha
Trail: Lower Blindekloof - Groendal
https://chat.whatsapp.com/FkBQREyOdjwH29Cpr94GHH
Description: A beautiful mostly forest walk with multiple river crossings and some boulder hopping.
Distance: 10km
Cost: R73 (cash only)

Club: Voetsac Hikers
Trail: Cormorant
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/12Jwaufqfq5/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Description: “Park the cars at Pine lodge Transfer to Willows and walk back to Pine lodge --
This is a different way of doing this hike so will be quite interesting, there will be rocks and sand to walk on so its not like walking on a hard path…”
Distance: 14Km
Cost: R10 for members & R30 for non members.

Club: Voetsac
Trail: Cape St. Francis
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/12Jwaufqfq5/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Description: “From the St Francis light house we will hike 14km round trip towards Oyster Bay.”
Distance: 14Km
Cost: R10 for members & R30 for non members.

Club: Let’s Go Hiking
Trail: Lady Slipper back route
https://chat.whatsapp.com/L97Fhx6XeJXJ7FZ0EppG9D?s=cl&p=a&ilr=4
Description: a moderate hike on an easy walking, steep tar road to the towers where you will be rewarded with beautiful views.
Distance: 9km
Cost: R30

*SUNDAY 19 JULY 2026*

EASY/ EASY+:

Club: Trail Trekkers Hiking Tribe
Trail: Lower Guinea Fowl
https://www.facebook.com/share/1AK86yWFDs/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Description: An easy hike through the Baakens Valley. It is mostly flat with some stairs and two small hills.
Distance: 6,5km
Cost: R30 for adults and R20 for children under 12

Club: Let’s Go Hiking
Trail: Aloe Trail - Bluewater Bay
https://chat.whatsapp.com/K59E3Sij8kg7aBC8pPYYKo?s=cl&p=a&ilr=4
Description: A scenic walk along the Aloe Trail with the optional extra being along the river.
Distance: 6,5km with a 9,5km option.
Cost: R30

Club: Active Us - Wellness Coaching
Trail: Retha’s Trail & Coastal Fynbos Trail
https://www.facebook.com/share/18jWw3zxoi/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Description: “… starting at the Sacramento Cannon in Schoenmakers! We’ll be exploring Retha’s Garden Trail, winding behind the houses, and then onto the Cape Fynbos Trail behind Sappers Hoek.”
Distance: 5km
Cost: R30 (includes an electrolyte drink)

**Note that all hike ratings and descriptions are - as far as possible - as per the individual club and not necessarily our rating or description. Please choose your hike carefully according to your experience and fitness. If in doubt ask the hike leader ahead of time.**

🌿 𝐖𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐖𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝... 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐖𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐨⁣

Yesterday we returned to Groendal Nature Reserve for the first time since the devastating 2026 floods. Our plan was to explore the Hammerkop Trail for the very first time, but when we checked in we were told the roads leading to the Fernkloof, Waterkloof and Hammerkop trailheads are still closed due to flood damage.

So... we pivoted.

Our new plan was to hike the Upper Blindekloof Trail, but while signing in we met a group of South African Sea Cadets preparing for their overnight hike to Eels Cave. They mentioned that on a previous attempt they had accidentally gone off route while hiking via Bushpig and Ten Stop Hill.

We explained the alternative route (the one we were familiar with) via Nerina Ridge, which is accessed from the Lower Blindekloof Trail, and before we knew it... our plans changed again.

We decided to hike the Lower Blindekloof Trail so we could help guide them to the correct turnoff.

The cadets headed off first, and we caught up with them again at the monument before they continued deeper into the valley ahead of us.

If you've never hiked Lower Blindekloof, it is an absolute gem. The trail meanders through beautiful indigenous forest, with countless river crossings, exciting boulder hopping and towering cliffs that make you feel wonderfully small. It's one of those trails where every bend reveals another breathtaking view.

Instead of turning around where we'd originally intended, we decided to continue to the transition pool that links Lower Blindekloof with Upper Blindekloof and find a route to Skelmkloof. With a later-than-normal start and the slow, technical terrain, we eventually decided it was wiser to head back while there was still plenty of daylight.

On the way back... we met the Sea Cadets once again.

Looking back on the day, it genuinely felt like divine intervention. Every closed road, every change of plan and every unexpected decision seemed to place us exactly where we were meant to be. The floods have changed sections of the landscape considerably, and without familiar landmarks it's surprisingly easy to miss the Nerina Ridge turnoff if you've never hiked the area before.

We were able to walk the group to the correct junction, exchange contact details, send them route maps, and share the Mountain Rescue emergency number. Although cellphone reception is almost non-existent in Groendal, there is signal on Nerina Ridge, allowing them to receive the information once they reached the ridge.

Sometimes the adventure you plan isn't the adventure you're meant to have.

Groendal remains one of the most spectacular hiking destinations in the Eastern Cape, but it is also rugged, raw and unforgiving. If you're visiting for the first time, we strongly recommend hiking with someone who knows the area before attempting these routes on your own.

We learned that lesson ourselves years ago.

Yesterday reminded us that hiking isn't only about reaching a destination. Sometimes it's about being in exactly the right place, at exactly the right time, for someone else.

Have you ever had a hike where everything changed... but somehow everything worked out exactly as it was meant to? 🥾🌿