Koloniesland hiking trail, Stellenbosch

We would love to have you at the Koloniesland hike and enjoy a wonderful time together.
The Koloniesland trail is found on a small section of land that is set aside for recreational purposes like mountain biking, hiking and picnicking between Eersterivier Park and Danie Craven Memorial in Stellenbosch. You may learn a lot on this educational trail as certain names of trees are attached to them.
As soon as we cross over Mill Stream at the end of Jannasch street, you enter the Koloniesland trail. Dutch settlers established the mill stream in Stellenbosch to channel water from the Eerste River to the town centre where it was used to power watermills and irrigate gardens.
The Koloniesland trail can be extended to include the Danie Craven Stadium and his memorial and further on to Ertjieskloof dam as well as the Welgevallen dam. People that love horses will especially be fond of this trail because it passes by the Maties Equestrian Club.

Basic agenda:
This hike starts and ends at the Eersterivier Park hangbrug (suspension bridge) near Lanzerac Wine Estate at Stellenbosch. We wander through the Eersterivier park, criss-cross a few streets to reach Jannash street and eventually join up with the Koloniesland trail. This trail takes us all along the Eerste River until we reach Danie Craven Memorial.
Craven had a dog named Bliksem which accompanied him everywhere, even to rugby practices. A journalist recalled how "when Doc and Bliksem were on the touchline at training, no one within sight would dare shirk.
From Danie Craven's Memorial, we pass by Danie Craven Stadium and pick up a gravel road taking us to Ertjieskloof Dam and the Maties Equestrian Club.
At Welgevallen Dam, it's time for a coffee break, before the footpath wanders further through a wooded section and gradually climbs with a zig-zag to the highest point towards Eden Forest.
Before Eden Forest is reached, we follow another trail back to Eerste Kruis from where we follow gravel roads and footpaths to a desolate ruin that provides beautiful views over the Jonkershoek Valley. From this ruin, the gravel path descends steeply until we join up with a bergpad that takes us back to the hangbrug (suspension bridge). We need to cross over this bridge to reach our cars on the other side of the river.
The hangbrug is not compulsory though, because hikers can easily walk over a cement road through the river next to the hangbrug.
This 11-12 km trail is graded as a 2A hike and has a total elevation of 310 meters.
Pack your hiking bag with coffee and lunch. A trekking pole might be useful.

Fee to join hike: R40. Cash on the day or EFT on the day:
Name of Acc: Boland Adventures
Capitec Savings account nr: 173 138 2780
Branch code: 470010
Reference: Your name, surname and name of hike

Bring along: Hat, warm jacket, food, coffee/tea/cooldrink/2 lt water, First aid kit.
Rain cancels.
Indemnity: When attending this hike you indicate that you have read and accept our Indemnity as below.
Please inform Marius or Elaine of any medical conditions before the hike.

WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND INDEMINITY AGREEMENT
This agreement includes a release of liability and waiver legal rights and deprives you of the right to sue Boland Adventures, and other parties.