Dog Walkers Geocaching Ring
Noordhoek has been transformed over the years from a rural farming community to a sought after rural residential area. The valley nestles in an amphitheatre to the south of the magnificent Chapmans Peak and Silvermine mountains, with the iconic sweep of Noordhoek beach and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Much development has taken place but there are many recreational opportunities in the valley with horse riding being a prominent activity. Dog walking is a popular past-time and many dogs, including ours, have enjoyed regular outings on the fields and paths of the valley. We have created a series of caches which are accessible to canine owned cachers and hope that the entire family will participate. The series can easily be done in a single circuit but most can also be approached individually from nearby roads.
The ground conditions change considerably with the seasons and can vary from hot and dry to very wet underfoot in places in winter, but all areas are accessible through-out the year. Ticks are present in the wilder areas at times so dog owners need to take appropriate precautions and inspect their dogs and themselves after the walk. Please also keep dogs on leads in areas where there are roads and traffic and when there are horses or the local dairy cattle about. Although the area is relatively safe and open, it is best to walk in groups and leave valuables at home.
At one time this area acted as an emergency helipad for rescue helicopters. Since the expansion of the beach parking area, they no longer use this particular site. The landing area can still be seen in the grass marked out with bricks. The field is part of Avondrust common where local residents walk with their dogs and children often play. Horse events are held here once or twice a year and the west side of the common also has fenced fields where horses often graze during the day. These horses are friendly and used to dogs and will take no notice of walkers. Care must be taken to keep dogs on leads if they are not used to horses themselves and liable to chase horses.