The Whale trail is a feather in the cap of Cape Nature! We had the priviledge to hike for 5 days... read more
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De Hoop Whale Trail
De Hoop Nature Reserve, Bredasdorp 7200, South Africa
Open today: 08:00 - 17:00
Review Highlights
“Wonderful slackpacking experience”
hikergalore
“Comfort , convenience and consistently breathtaking vistas!”
Very well managed and maintained coastal route by Cape Nature. Incredible experience Hiking from... read more
CPTTravels
Cape Town Central, South Africa
2216
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24 - 29 of 101 reviews
husky28
Lephalale, South Africa
386
We were a family spanning 3 generations hiking this route.
Trail was awesome, Enjoyed every nights cottages.
Will come back one day and do this with my kids, so much fun
Date of experience: May 2017
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susanna V
Cape Town, South Africa
89
I've hiked this trail three times in the last 10 years and was really disappointed by the deterioration and lack of maintenance of the overnight cottages. Cracked basins and window panes, broken latches, unreliable hot water supply, torn mattresses, wall signs standing on the floor and why, why, why have the ladders down to the tidalpools to Stilgat not been repaired or replaced for years now?
Yes, the cottages are situated in spectacular locations and yes the hike is stunning, but lack of care pervades the place. We arrived at the last cottage to find a cleaner stretched out a mattress outside the hut. She did not even lift her head when we walked past her and just continued playing on her cellphone.
A little effort will go a long way to restore the trail'sreputation. Oh, and add some dry dishcloths to the shopping list.
Date of experience: April 2018
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wildeast2018
Durban, South Africa
17
While the Trail itself was amazing I was really disappointed in the state of the cottages. We only had electricity in 3 of them (apparently batteries are not replaced?) and NO water at all at Noetsie, then eventually a small trickle, but alas, only cold. Cleaning was inefficient and there was a very prominent stench of sewerage outside the Noetsie hut. Maintenance seems to be low on the priorities of Cape Nature.
Date of experience: December 2017
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve J
Johannesburg, South Africa
7125
This stunning slackpacking trail is 5 nights with 4,5 days of hiking.The views of the Breede River Valley and the sea from the top of Potberg are stunning.The fynbos and rock formations amazing and some great birding with plenty of oyster catchers dotted along the coastline.The overnight huts at Noetsie,Hamerkop and Vaalkrans are wonderfully located and we saw numerous whale sightings with the cherry on the top being a pod of dolphins cavorting around a whale.Our 12 person party had a 'whale of a time' but the trail is not designed for peaceful undisturbed nights with bunk beds and mattrases in shared rooms.The many other attributes of the hike more than make up for this.
Constructive inexpensive improvements to the cottages would make catering,showering etc better but once again in the scheme of things that's not crucial.
The 55km hike is only really a bit tough on Day1 and part of Day 2 otherwise pretty easy walking with stunning views and many places to stop for picnics.There are not as many opportunities to swim in the sea or rockpools as one might have thought so don't miss out when the chance presents itself.It is preferable to put a party of 12 friends/relatives together as overnight huts are fairly 'cheek by jowl'.
All in all -highly recommended for young and old with a reasonably good level of fitness required.
Date of experience: October 2017
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mickie J
Johannesburg, South Africa
10952
When we booked the Whale Trail a year ago, I did not expect to break my left shoulder in February and my left knee in August. So to say i was a little hampered, although certainly not unfit, would be to put it mildly. I was wearing a leg brace to support my knee, a knee support on my right knee to prevent undue stress and my left shoulder screamed through the walking pole, especially going downhill. It was such a wonderful experience, I spent the whole 5 days thoroughly elated. The fynbos and wildflowers on days 1 ant 2 were spectacular. As we arrived at the cliff above Noetsie, we saw our first whales and from then on it was whales and occasionally dolphins all the way. This is a spectacular hike. Huts are comfortable and well-equipped. Hot showers and flush toilets are a luxury compared to what we are used to on a trek. This is a must for anyone who enjoys wildlife, the outdoors and hiking.
Date of experience: October 2017
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.