The Florida Hiking Club was established 23 years ago, and offers a wide variety of activities to keep young and old busy.
They do not only have monthly hikes and regular weekend base-camp/ backpacking hikes, but also hold a social evening once a month at the Golden Reef Road Runners Club, 8 Andrew Street, Horison, from 7pm.During these gatherings they have guest speakers, various fun competitions, a quiz or games evening and much more. When the weather is warmer during the summer months, the evening’s activities usually include a bring and braai.
Some of the hikes on offer include:
• Day hikes on every last Saturday of the month. Participants in these hikes meet at the venue, and the hike starts at 8am. They are usually suitable for families with children and vary from about eight to 12 kilometres. For more information on these hikes, contact Mark van der Merwe on 082 301 1235 or mvandermerwe789@gmail.com.
• Once a month, there is also a weekend hike which can either be a base-camp hike where hikers stay in the same place and go on day hikes on both the Saturday and Sunday, or backpacking hikes, where hikers stay at one place on the Friday night, hike to the overnight facility on the Saturday, and then return to the starting point on the Sunday. Bedding and food have to be carried during this hike. For more information on the weekend hikes, contact Bill Brough on 082 576 8198 or brough@mweb.co.za.
• Longer hikes like the Otter Trail, the Whale Trail or the Strandloper Trail can also be arranged.
For more information on the club and its activities, visit its website at https://www.floridahiking.co.za or its Facebook page (FloridaHikingClub).
Alternatively, contact Sheila Head, the Club’s Public Relations Officer, on 082 744 7172 or s.head.sa.@gmail.com.
