Day 4 of this epic hike turned out to be much longer than anticipated. Although the map said it was 16 kilometres my watch clocked up 22 kilometres from Diepwalle Hut to Fisantehoek Hut. I decided to adjust my stride length down slightly just in case it was effecting the distance. I tend to take more smaller steps especially on the downhills and my watch seemed to be over estimating the distance.
We were up early packing our bags for the second last time and almost drooling in anticipation of the full Hearty English Breakfast that was promised by the Diepwalle Tea Room. And it was everything we expected!!! Delicious, filling and just the right boost we needed for the 4th day of hiking.
The path from Diepwalle led straight into dense forest for a fast start to the morning. We needed to get to Fisantehoek fast to beat the rain that we’re coming in the afternoon. The first half of the day was spent crossing streams and rivers in the very cold valleys. The sky had been overcast with cloud from the time we had woken up giving us some spectacular views but making the temperature drop too.
There were only a couple huffy uphills and the log steps seemed to be never ending. Every few steps we would all stop to catch our breath and “admire the view”. Not only did they keep on going they also got steeper the further we went. But soon enough it flattened out.
Soon we popped out into the open along a flat plain of fynbos (literally translates to fine bush). And the varieties of bush are endless. The wide lumpy track was no fun to walk on as the mole-hilled sand was hidden in long grass that made it difficult to navigate.
After a good few kilometres a sign sent us back into the forest. It was eerily calm and noiseless walking between the tall trees (other than the cackling of the girls in front of me of course!)
But the sound we were listening for were the Knysna Loeries. Their interesting almost monkey like call to it’s mate is quite distinct.
The other interesting find along this path was a huge fungi puff ball that releases loads and loads of spores when it’s knocked. I’m not the best person to deal with moulds with my allergies so I tend to run in the other direction.
The forest was gorgeous, but we were ready to rest our weary feet and drop our heavy bags. This was the first day that my shoulders really started to feel the weight of my backpack.
The single track eventually got us to a last keep track leading up the last hill toward the Fisantehoek Hut. After so many kilometres it felt like a sadist had planned this last little hurdle just to spite us!
It was a dream arriving at Fisantehoek Hut with my thoughts only on taking off my shoes on putting on the water for tea. We all plopped down at our new table and don’t move until the wind came up and it got too cold outside.
And boy did the storm roll in! The wind whipped up and the rain belted down in sheets.
We ate a dinner of noodles and tuna and I rolled into bed on a double mattress!!! Hallelujah!!! I slept well through the storm and was fresh for our final 12kms on day five.
Here’s our route map and my stats from this leg of the hike:
Watch this space for our final day of the Beautiful Outeniqua Hike in the Knysna Forest.
[//]:# (!pinmapple -34.004551 lat 23.226862 long Outeniqua Hike Day 4 Diepwalle to Fisantehoek Hut d3scr)