The annual Hessequa Heritage Festival, that includes the 16km Heritage Trail-run and 5km Mini Trail as well as the Brood- en beskuitfees at the finish, is taking place in Stilbaai on Saturday, 21 September 2019. It will be the third consecutive year that this popular festival takes place in Stilbaai and if the past two events are anything to go by, this year’s activities will again be enjoyed by all.
The festival combines the two scenic trail-runs with the Brood- en beskuitfees that is being hosted at the finish at the Stilbaai Tourism Bureau where the smell of braaivleis, fresh-baked bread and traditional roosterkoeke will welcome the trail-run participants as well as those who are just there to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, live music and great food. The festivities will be a welcome sight for the trail-runners (and walkers) as they will finish the 5km Mini Trail as well as the 16km Heritage Trail-run at the ‘home’ of Stilbaai’s freshwater eels at the Tourism Bureau.
Participants in the 16km Heritage Trail can catch the shuttle that will leave Stilbaai on Saturday morning from the Registration venue at the Community Hall to the tidal pool in Jongensfontein from where the trail-run will start at 8h30 on Saturday morning. The route will take runners and walkers on a marked route along the beautiful coastline all the way to the Tourism Bureau. Looking around on the route, participants will notice quite a few places that not only add to Stilbaai’s heritage and history, but also to its charm that the town is known and loved for. Scenes will include the coast with its orange rock formations; views over the ocean as far as the eye can see; the ancient fish traps (a National Heritage Site) at the Skulpiesbaai Nature Reserve as well as huge milkwood trees in the reserve; the Wafra fishing boat at the harbour; Lenatjie beach house and some of the oldest holiday homes in Stilbaai as well as the bright and colourful houses on the beach; the Goukou River mouth and scenes along the river and the Palinggat Homestead at the Tourism Bureau and if one stays a little longer, the freshwater eels at feeding time.
The 5km Mini Trail will start at the parking area at the Skulpiesbaai Nature Reserve at 9h00 and shuttles will also leave from the Registration venue at the community hall. This shorter trail-run is ideal for those who would like to experience some of the same special scenery and views. Like the 16km participants, they will also experience the Olifantbos Trail in the Skulpiesbaai Nature Reserve with its low hanging branches and the breathtaking view over Morris Point from the top of the trail before descending towards the harbour area. The two trail runs will both follow the paved route from the outdoor gym opposite the river mouth and with the majestic Goukou River on the right, the trail will lead them over the freshwater stream towards the finish at Stilbaai Tourism.
There will be very special medals for finishers that will remind them of the Stilbaai Heritage Trail-run.
All the information about the Hessequa Heritage Festival, the 5km Mini Trail and 16km Heritage Trail-run (entry fees; entry forms and online entry; the Rgistration process; shuttles; parking; the routes etc.) as well as the Brood- en beskuitfees, is available HERE.
The 2019 Hessequa Heritage Festival is made possible with the support of Hessequa Municipality and Explorer’s Garden Route; Harcourts Stilbaai and Postnet Riversdale.

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