Experience the Whale Coast Hiking Trail

Discover the breathtaking beauty of the world-renowned Whale Trail, a captivating hiking trail along the western Cape coast. As one of the most rewarding adventures in the western Cape, securing a booking can be challenging. But worry not! We specialize in Whale Trail bookings, ensuring you don’t miss out on this extraordinary experience. Contact us today with your preferred date, and let us try to secure a booking for you.

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Whale Coast Hiking Trail

The Whale Trail is a 6 day 5 night coastal wilderness hiking trail in one of the planets most beautiful & ecologically diverse floral kingdoms. The De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Western Cape, South Africa. Professionally guided by FGASA Field, Marine and Cape Tourism guides  husband and wife team Ralph and Gill, both with 9 years of  Whale Trail guiding experience. We have done 11 Whale Trails for local and international guests with great success. At R1750 per person per day – including accommodation, fully catered and and guided, its a steal. 

Whale Coast Hiking Trail

TOUR  DAY 1     

Potberg

Whale Trail Hikes all start at Potberg and this is where your adventure begins .We all meet at Potberg Hut in the De Hoop Nature Reserve at around 14h00 on the set date because that is the earliest check-in time. After checking-in,   you will have some time to orientate yourself and soak up the setting of the Potberg Hut. Wander around the Potberg Hut and get a feel of the remoteness. Sitting under the Southern Cross, enjoying the night sky you will treated to a traditional SA braai (barbecue) paired with regional wines.  Thereafter a thorough briefing of the hike and what can be expected on the trail will be given by your guide.

HIKE DAY 1

     Potberg to Cupidoskraal   15km

We rise early for a hearty breakfast, preparation for our Potberg ascent. Although it’s not a technically difficult clime at all, its just a moderate climb to the highest point of the trail and is fragranced with fynbos of the Erica and protea species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.  Keep your eyes peeled for the gliding Cape Vultures that are growing in numbers because of a concerted conservation effort. And at the top we take time out to marvel at the view of the Brede River as it makes its way to the mouth at Cape Infanta, over some well deserved refreshments and a cup of freshly brewed tea or coffee at the view point.

HIKE DAY 2

      Cupidoskraal to Noetsie   15km

Our second night stop is at Cupidoskraal Hut, which is actually a house and not a hut. The trail was relocated to the new night stop after the original thatch hut was destroyed by a fire during a storm and lightning strike in 2014.  From Cupidoskraal the trail follows the crest of the Potberg through mountain fynbos with unequaled views of the Indian Ocean and the Breede River. The route finally exits Potberg and leads onto limestone hills with strikingly different fynbos, then descends to the enchanting bay of Noetsie as we arrive at the coast for the first of three night stops along the De Hoop coastline.

HIKE DAY 3 

   Noetsie to Hamerkop   7.8km

The walk to Hamerkop is short, so we don’t have to leave very early.  Breakfast and morning tea or coffee is a relaxed time to enjoy the view from Noetsie before we start the walk along the cliff. We never tire of the views along this section of the hike, the cliffs and beaches are spectacular. The breathtaking viewing of whales & dolphins from the cliffs, ancient shell middens and caves, make this stretch of coastline an adventurers’ paradise. After a short walk from Noetsie of about 5 kilometers we descend from the cliffs to lunch at Stilgat and take time out to cool off in the rock pools & explore the caves.

HIKE DAY 4

      Hamerkop to Vaalkrans   10.5km

Most of the day is spent walking on the white beach sand, and any beach walk is strenuous, so we try to time the departure to make use of the firmer sand closer to the water. Spot the shy oyster catchers and white-breasted cormorants as they bask in the sun and enjoy the remarkable inter tidal pools, calcrete formations and blow holes. We usually stop for tea at a cove that we have discovered with suitable shelter from the sun and enough rocks for seating, and our lunch-stop is at a location overlooking the blow holes. The last stretch to Vaalkrans ambles through diverse coastal vegetation before we reach our accommodation situated on top of a cave .

HIKE DAY 5  

    Vaalkrans to Koppie Alleen    7km

Because the final day’s walk of the trail is relatively short, we have ample time to explore and swim in Hippo Pools. In whale season anything up to 50 whales can be seen in this vicinity. From Koppie Alleen we are taken by  shuttle back to Potberg where we collect our baggage and say goodbye to the jewel of Cape Nature’s Floral Kingdom– The De Hoop Nature Reserve.

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General information regarding the trail

• De Hoop Nature Reserve is 230 km from Cape Town International airport.(Transfer to & from Potberg for your own cost, can be arranged) Please ensure that your flight arrives in the morning and get to Potberg at around 14h00.
• The route stretches over 58km from Potberg to Koppie Alleen and includes 5 overnight stops.
• Trail limit is 12 people per trip (10 guests) and is termed “slack-packing”, a term used when one has the convenience of a portage facility. Hikers need only to carry a small day-pack with water, camera, rain jacket, sun screen etc.
• The trail is exclusive in that you will not meet other hikers on the trail.
• The trail will be fully catered for and special dietary requirements met as far as possible.
• Requirements: sleeping bag, day pack, hiking boots & clothing.

(Hiring of equipment can be arranged)

• Accommodation on the trail is in a series of cottages with mostly 3 bedrooms with 4 bunk beds each.
• A 70 liter container is issued to each person for personal belongings and this is transported to the next overnight stop.

Requirements and assumptions:

• It is a requirement that all hikers have adequate medical cover to facilitate any potential medical emergency, and relevant evacuation that may arise or be required while on a Whale Trail guided and provided for by Africansunroad. This assumption also applies to individual family members of family groups. All Whale Trail hikers are required to be fit enough to complete 2Km/h in mountainous terrain, this equates to 5Km/h on level terrain to enable the completion of the daily hikes.

Includes the following:

• Professionally Guided (FGASA Field Guides and Marine, Cape Tour & Wine Guide)
• First Aid & back-up assistance

Excludes:

• Any medical costs relating to a medical emergency, and relevant evacuation that may arise while on a Whale Trail.
• Any additional accommodation either before or after the trail, or as advertised by Africansunroad.
• Accommodation and meals should a hikers leave, or be removed from the trail for any reason including medical.
• Drinks at restaurants.
• Unscheduled taxi transfers and other transportation to or from the De Hoop Reserve.
• Loss or damage to Africansunroad client vehicles parked at Potberg, before, during or after the hike.
• Cost of removal or evacuation of persons on the Whale Trail Hike guided by Africansunroad.
• Loss or damage to equipment used on the trail.