The annual Hi-Tec Garden Route Walking Festival will take place over the Easter weekend, offering keen hikers, power-walkers and strollers an abundance of trails to choose from.
The event is the biggest walking festival of its kind in the Southern hemisphere and there will be 50 different walks happening between Mossel Bay and Nature’s Valley from 19 to 22 April.
Most of the hikes are free and led by volunteers, while some are led by professional guides and have a cost attached. The walks range from easy (the coffee shop walk) to the most challenging, the Peak 1067 hike. Peak 1067 is an unnamed peak near the top of the Outeniqua Pass that overlooks Waboomsvallei.
Walkers stand a chance of winning gear from Hi-Tec, and a kids’ pirate treasure hunt will take place again this year on Keurbooms Beach, where there’ll be a team of pirates juggling and singing songs to entertain.
Favourite walks that will return this year include Tidal Pool Meander, Giraffe View Walk, Oystercatcher Trail, and the Secret Elephants Experience with Gareth Patterson.
There are also new walks on offer this year, such as the tree-planting walk, Gruffalo Adventure for kids and three beach cleanup walks.
Although not compulsory, walkers are encouraged to make a donation to one of the festival beneficiaries to support conservation in the region.
Walks are listed by date, area and nature reserve and you can register at walkingfestival.co.za.
Image: walkingfestival.co.za
