Hiker Attacked on Garden Route Trail Still Thinks SA “Amazing”

Hiker Alistair Hill and his friend Carla had read about a great hike in the latest Go! magazine stretching along the famous now-unused train track from Wilderness to Victoria Bay. Little did they realise it would be a hike not to remember, although their experience has started a dialogue on how to deal with crimes like this – with Hill himself a fantastic voice of reason amidst it all.

In a post on Facebook on Wednesday, Hill said they were returning along the scenic route – and were between the first and second tunnels on the Vic Bay side – when they were attacked by two men, one with a panga, who even tried to throw him off the cliff. Both of the hikers sustained serious injuries, Hill’s friend two black eyes and a damaged nose.

“Luckily we both had self defence training (True Krav Maga) so we could defend our selves. Others I don’t think would have been so lucky,” Hill said in his Facebook post.

Hill said that they were the third group to be attacked in the past two weeks that he knew of, and that they turned other groups back who were hiking along the track. Hill said he posted the news to warn people that the hike was dangerous, and it was shared many times.

The comments ranged from disappointment that South Africa’s famed Garden Route had declined so much to outrage, with numerous people saying the only way to deal with this problem was to carry a gun while hiking and shoot the attackers. In the middle of it all was Hill, the voice of reason, saying that even though he had a UK passport, he would live nowhere else but South Africa.

“The problem is a lot deeper than just going out and killing people,” Hill replied to one comment suggesting the answer was to shoot. “It’s not a white or black problem, it’s a nation problem. Everyone is affected by this type of thing no matter the colour of their skin. I have not mentioned what the colour our attackers skin was as it does not matter to me. I have been attacked by white, coloured and black people. We need to be bigger than the whole race issue. We are South Africans one and all. The concern I have seen on all races faces I have told the story to has been the same. One of concern and shock.”

One respondent, a resident of Wilderness, said he wanted to start a take-back-the-track Facebook page to encourage people to reclaim the area, and to associate it with the Outeniqua Cycleway idea, which is to turn the disused track into a cycle and hiking path.

Another said this story convinced him never to visit South Africa. “Yea this kinda reinforces my view that SA is not on my list of travel destinations and likely never will be. I know 3 Safas and all say they’d never go back.”

Hill responded to him: “You have to come visit our beautiful country. There is no where better. I have travelled the world and seen and heard horrific things everywhere I have gone. Just be clever about where you go the same as every destination. That’s why I posted my message. So people know of the dangers on the path and that other people don’t get injured. We stuck around and had a couple amazing days in Wilderness before having to head home today. We wanted to stay but work calls. I have a UK passport so can leave SA without a problem but I won’t as my heart is here. The land and people are amazing.”

Hill does not seem to lose his sense of levity throughout. In response to one person who asks what a “panga” is and whether it’s a type of fish, Hill answers: “Panga is another name for a machete in SA. I wish it was a fish, that would make an interesting story.”

But the reality of the situation never escapes Hill. One person said that maybe after the experience with Hill they would think twice about doing it next time. To the contrary, replied Hill:

“The guys that attacked us were not your general muggers. The main guy was well built and knew his role well on intimidation and splitting up a group so his accomplice could move in on the more vulnerable (well that’s what he thought 🙂) people of the group. They communicated well with each other during the attack and knew how to block off the exits.

“This is concerning to me as a general thug is not a problem to deal with but when they start evolving in their attacks and learning from there mistakes I start to worry. The same way I have learnt from the attack, so have they so the next people they attack will have a harder time than we had. Without my training I’m sure I would have a panga gash in my head.”

But Hill told SAPeople the incident did not stop them from staying on another few days and enjoying themselves.

“We had a great last two days before we had to leave due to work commitments and wanted to stay longer. Kayaking on the Touw River, hiking on the kingfisher hikes and being a very unsuccessful fisherman. We also plan on going back in the next couple months.”

Go! magazine, meanwhile, said: “We’re saddened to learn that one of our readers was recently attacked on a hiking trail on the Garden Route. We recommended the hike from Leentjiesklip beach in Wilderness to Victoria Bay along the defunct railway line once used by the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe in our January issue (#115). There have since been numerous reports of crime in the area and we would advise our readers to avoid this route for the time being. Always take safety precautions when spending time in nature and hike in a group.”

Here is a link to the original post.