Whether you’re a casual day tripper, outdoors enjoying nature, or a seasoned hiker/trail runner on a mission, the Garden Route Walking Festival has more than its fair share of incredibly picturesque trails on offer. Ranging from light strolls to heel splitting, blister forming gorges, the festival has it all and it’s gorgeous! Plett Tourism caught up with festival founder Galeo Saintz, and festival organiser Margolite Williams from Happy Feet, to find out more about this popular festival.
The Garden Route Walking Festival is not all blisters and sunburn, although occasionally they do try and steal the limelight. What it is, is glorious sunshine, spectacularly beautiful trails in the heart of The Garden Route and a sense of accomplishment that will make you come over all giddy. The best way to come to appreciate a region is to traverse the ‘off the beaten track’ walking routes and this coming Easter (30 March – 2 April 2018) weekend, the festival promises to deliver just that.
Now in its fourth year, the festival is offering over 52 different walks to choose from between Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Plett and Nature’s Valley. The Garden Route trails are cared for by South African National Parks and CapeNature who are 100% behind this exciting outdoor event. Hi-Tec, a brand which has become synonymous with hiking in South Africa, are committed to the event, which enables the organisers to offer a wide range of walks for free and to cater to all levels of fitness and adventure.
Plett Tourism: How long has the festival been running?
Margolite Williams: The first unsponsored event was in 2012. Then from 2015 onwards Hi-Tec have been the naming sponsor. We have also had wonderful support from SANParks and Wesgro.
Galeo Saintz: Hi-Tec are staunch supporters of this festival and go the extra mile. Hi-Tec really understands what South Africans love about the outdoors and – they are our favourite hiking boot.
PT: What inspired the creation of the festival?
GS: As Chair of the World Trails Network, I travel widely and realise that of all the destinations in the world, the Garden Route is most unique and one specifically suited to walking. With it’s huge diversity of walking options available from beaches to mountain peaks, from forests to amazing communities and coastline.
PT: How has the festival grown from year to year?
MW: In 2017 we doubled our attendance and it continues to grow, with interest.
PT: Are you introducing anything new for this year’s festival?
MW: Yes, we have a series of evening talks in George, Knysna and Plett AND we are hosting three Coastal Clean-Up walks, one each in Mossel Bay, Knysna and Nature’s Valley.
GS: This is an opportunity for the whole family to get involved in making a difference for our coasts.
PT: Have any celebrities / well-known individuals participated?
MW: We have not invited any as of yet but if there are any celebs out there who enjoy walking, we happily invite them to come along and join in the fun!
GS: We like ordinary people and people who help us grow the event through sharing the authentic experiences they have with the many volunteer and professional guides who really make this event possible. But hey celebrities are welcome.
PT: What are your plans for 2019?
MW: To keep on keeping on and promoting The Garden Route as one of the world’s greatest walking destinations – which it is! And the best part of this festival you ask? Apart from the obvious treat of meandering through the most beautiful place on earth (well, just about), the funds raised through participating in the festival will benefit local Garden Route environmental charities and conservation initiatives. Now there’s an excellent reason if ever you needed one to don your hiking boots and get to it!
PT: You don’t have a registration fee for participating in the festival, why is that?
GS: Our mission is to make at least half the walks on offer FREE, it is important to us that everyone can partake in this event and that cost is not a barrier for a family to enjoy a festive outdoor Easter Weekend. We encourage all participants though to make a donation to any one of the 14 nature charities we support instead of having to pay a registration fee.
PT: Did you say R28 000 worth of prizes?
GS: Yes, this year participants stand to win some great prizes for joining the festival. We have amazing accommodation sponsored by SANParks and a host of gear prizes like every year from Hi-Tec. So it really pays to get out, book a walk or two or five, explore the beauty of the Garden Route, make new friends and who knows… maybe go home with a big prize.
Find out more and book your walks here
