GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Plettenberg Bay's first 'Camino' has been labelled a massive success after eight 'pilgrims' walked their way through some of the area's most breathtaking nooks and crannies.
At the end of May eight hikers began their journey from the Harkerville Hut and plunged into the dense Knysna Forest.
"It was not the usual jeep tracks that the bikers are used to, but lush, moist, leaf-covered bush trails, adorned with mushrooms, ferns, rich in bird life and the fresh scat of unseen animals. The smells and sounds of the forest soon mingled with slightly laboured breathing as the trails start pointing uphill," Iain Bryant, the brainchild behind the journey, described their experience.
The opening stages
The first leg lasted 14km and ended at the Green Fern Lodge for some rest before the next day's stretch. Bryant said the second day's trails did not disappoint and took the hikers along a virgin section of mountain track which had not seen a vehicle or hiker in years.
"The smells of a dewy morning intermingled with the rays of the sun streaming through the forest canopy. It felt good to be alive and to be part of this adventure, so far from the office and worldly worries."
From there the group descended onto the Packwood Wine Estate for some refreshments before taking on the last stretch for the day which ended on a secret deck overlooking the upper reaches of the Bitou River, before settling in at Protea Wilds for the night.
Day three took the pilgrims on a 15km trail crossing the Bitou Valley and up the other side through unspoiled fynbos and the pastures of the Uplands before finishing at Bella Manga for some rest.
Taking on her majesty
Day four had hikers explore the Plett Game Reserve, dubbed the 'Queen's Stage'. "Plains teeming with animals took one's mind far away to another place elsewhere in Africa, where such sights feel more commonplace," said Bryant.
After a game drive, the group set off on foot again, this time downhill towards the Keurbooms River followed by a lengthy climb out of the valley before hiking through the forests towards Kay and Monty Vineyards about 10km down the track. The day ended at 20 Good Summers, a working farm retreat.
Day five took the hikers back into the forest and along the river course in the direction of Keurbooms and ended with a brief visit to the Fairview Manor.
"During the final stretch, the legendary Robberg Peninsula slowly reveals itself as you descend towards the Keurbooms River. The strange thing is that when you left five days earlier, you were looking at it from the other side, and without realising it, you have come full circle."
The Camino concluded with lunch at Down to Earth Restaurant on the Bitou River.
"Five days, five nights, 75km, and 1 400m of altitude ... a true accomplishment that has taken us from the Garden of Eden, all the way back Down to Earth! At the end, it was difficult to remember all the steps that it took to get there, but as the days and weeks passed, and the photos and stories were shared, so many wonderful memories came flooding back," said Bryant.
Hikers on the inaugural Plett Camino enjoyed the lush beauty of the forest.
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