Following members attended and arrived at Nature’s Valley Rest Camp Parking at 9h00, from left to right: Sandy and Clive Louw, Fred van Berkel, Gillian Forbes, and Hans v Ameyde (meet leader). I regret that so few arrived to enjoy the beautiful scenery east of Nature’s Valley.
I discovered that the Grootriver Mouth was blocked while entering the valley due to the visible high water level, and suggested that we rather move our starting point to the mouth in order to avoid the high lagoon water level on the east side of the lagoon.
Fortunately, the weather was fine but cool, excellent for hiking. We crossed the Groot River mouth on a sandbank and climbed Pig’s Head for our morning break enjoying the ever-beautiful view over Nature’s Valley and the lagoon.
Thereafter we proceeded through the fynbos and indigenous forest to the Kovie settlement, and then down to the coast. That area is densely overgrown but fortunately, I knew an easier access to the coast to reduce the bush whacking. I was very glad that the vegetation was now dry after yesterday’s rain, otherwise it would have been a very wet experience! Unfortunately, one of us sustained some injury and had to spend some blood in the bush whacking area.
We reached the Otter Trail around 13h00 and enjoyed the spectacular coastline with the last huts of the Otter Trail (Andre Huts) in the background.
As the South Easter wind increased, we went for a sheltered spot with a view for our lunch break.
After that it is fairly easy going (about 5 km) with beautiful scenery along the rugged cliffs to Nature’s Valley.
We had a short stop on top of the escarpment before descending to the beach. We were still able to cross the river with our shoes on in spite of the high spring tide.
Hoping to see more of you next time!
Hans van Ameyde (meet leader)