Introduction
The Elsieskraal Power Walk Series of geocaches has been prepared as an educational initiative to introduce young people to two things: types of geocache hides that they will encounter in an urban environment as they start geocache activity; and to some interesting facets of Pineland history encountered along the walk. It may assist Scouts in obtaining their geocaching badge and may be suitable as a small-group youth activity: either school of faith based.
The Power Walk is a circular trail of just under 6 km along the walkway that goes along both sides of the canal. For its entire length the walk is in a proclaimed green recreational zone.
The walk can be started at any point and the caches don't need to be found in any particular order. There are many convenient parking spots on the roads that run adjacent to the canal.
Each day, dozens of Pinelands residents - and visitors from neighbouring areas - lace up their shoes and head out for a run along the trail that runs along the banks of the Elsieskraal canal. Pinelands is split roughly through its centre by the Elsieskraal River which was canalised during the 1960s. Whether by design or simply a fortuitous stroke of luck, the length of the canal between the furtherest bridges is 2.5km - or 5km as a circuit.
A number of years ago, distance markers were placed along the canal and various different routes identified to cater for all exercise requirements. Over time, these have been damaged, or simply disappeared. In 2009, the markers were re-established with an additional two routes included for those who wanted to run up to 10km.
The following measured routes have been marked:
- 500m, 800m, 2km, 3km, 5km, 7km, and 10km
The routes all begin at the bridge at the intersection of Howard Drive and the Elsieskraal Canal. The routes are colour coded and have marker-boards indicating direction.