SOUTH Africa is known for having some of the most stunning hiking trails and many outdoor enthusiasts are thrilled to be able to enjoy nature again, after having had to spend months at home during COVID-19 lockdown.
Since lockdown level 2 was introduced, hiking clubs are allowed to resume day hikes, but in smaller groups and in compliance with existing guidelines.
The local hiking club, Voetsac, is ready for action and weather permitting, will start with their first hike on Saturday.
Ralph Sheffield-Webb, chairman of the local Voetsac Hiking & Adventure Club said he definitely thinks that there is a renewed interest in hiking.
“For the past two years our club membership has been growing at a rapid rate and is almost at 400. Significantly more new members have become keen hikers and hike regularly,” said Sheffield-Webb.
“This might be the result of people being more health conscious or a more stressful lifestyle that has created the need to get out into nature and relax.”
Hiking means different things to different people
Sheffield-Webb said some people need to get out into nature whilst others enjoy the exercise.
“Many enjoy being challenged by a steep mountain or a very long hike. There are also those in a hiking club that like a shorter hike and a braai after the hike. They are often there to socialise with other like minded people. If anyone has a need to do any of the above, join a hiking club and satisfy that need.
“Hiking is, of course, one of the best forms of exercise and a medical doctor once told me that it was better than jogging. His argument was that the body is very efficient. As soon as you start walking faster you will naturally end up running. If however, you resist the urge to run, but rather walk briskly you will end up gaining more from the exercising than you would have if you have by running.”
Abundance of hiking trails around Nelson Mandela Bay
Sheffield-Webb said residents from Nelson Mandela Bay metropole are blessed with a vast number of some of the most beautiful hiking trails, thus one is spoilt for choice.
“It must easily be one of the areas with the most hiking trails in South Africa.
“It boasts a diverse natural habitat around the city. Typically the habitat at Coega differs vastly from the fynbos on the Lady Slipper side. Going slightly inland, the beauty of the Baviaanskloof is also captured on the other side of the mountain in Groendal.
“Hiking in the kloofs of Groendal is like hiking in paradise. It is not uncommon there to be walking on ferns or holding on to a yellow wood tree for support, while listening to the sound of the stream next to you.
“Almost in the eastern suburbs is The Island, a beautiful forest. It is not unusual on a hike there to stumble across a bush buck. The terrain at Kleinrivier (just outside Uitenhage on the Cockscomb Road) again changes to what is typical of the Karoo. On the Hankey Road are hikes at Bergrivier and Lourie Rest Camp,” said Sheffield-Webb.
Unfortunately most of these hiking trails are not always known to the public and one needs to join a hiking club if one wants to get to know where these hiking trails are.
Voetsac hiking after lockdown
Voetsac Hiking & Adventure Club’s first hikes after lockdown will take place only from next Saturday.
“That, at least, was the Voetsac committee’s decision. Mother Nature however had a slightly different idea. It seems that unless there are members that enjoy hiking in the rain the hikes may have to be called off,” said Sheffield-Webb.
Because of the limited numbers that will be allowed on a hike and thus the limited space available on each hike the club will be restricting its hikes to paid up members only. Should members of the public thus want to hike, they would have to join the club.
- For more information about Voetsac call Ralph Sheffield-Webb on 076 070 8751 or email: ralphsw001@gmail.com
