elements in motion: Flower power

so many treasures hidden in this valley

Two weeks ago I joined Jane and the Mountain Club on a hike up to Victoria Peak. I knew it was going to be a big one, but really, this one was tough. 10 hours in the blazing sun, up to 1589m, forgot to pack enough food as I was a bit hungover and sleepy from the braai on Saturday, but the beauty of this place made me forget all of that. It was definitely worth it!

I never expected to get hooked on flowers but here within this awesome fynbos it isn't hard. And there are plenty of other wild plants and flowers to find.

It is incredible what fires can damage but also what life it brings with it. Just a few years later the hill thrives with new life and behind stay random burnt protea bushes...

And the trail carries on up along the foot of the beautiful Jonkershoek mountains and every turn gives another impressive view of Stellenbosch. More weird bushes and fynbos accompany the climb up to Bergriver neck and awards with a breathtaking view into the Bergriver valley towards Franschhoek.

Bergriver neck

Arriving at the top of the Panorama trail there were tons of these erica sprinkled with all sorts of other flowers. And this isn't even spring time!

We had to cross the marshy plains to get to the peak and here is where in winter the highest rainfall is measured.

where two rivers start their journey and Victoria Peak on the left

There was only a faint path up to the peak so we just followed the beacons along the way.
Quite an experience I enjoyed very much.

And finally we were up there crossing a field of stunning left over proteas before taking in the great panorama.

Unfortunately there was some fog around which blew over from the ocean and also denied us the view of such. And maybe even more stunning.

you can see as far as from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek!

For our way back we decided to go down the Kurktrekker trail, which means corkscrew. As we were heading along the steam across the wetlands we found the very rare disa orchid which only blossoms from January to February.

As we came back onto the panorama trail the view was incredible and even more the fact that this whole side of the valley was strewn with awesome king proteas and more fynbos.