The Whale trail is a feather in the cap of Cape Nature! We had the priviledge to hike for 5 days... read more
The Whale trail is a feather in the cap of Cape Nature! We had the priviledge to hike for 5 days... read more
Very well managed and maintained coastal route by Cape Nature. Incredible experience Hiking from... read more
This hike is for the family or bunch of good friends that Love nature. You book in at the 1st Hut around 16H00. It is bunk beds with a kitchen and braai. Bring your tjoppies and braai broodjies. Blitz a must as the wood is very wet and then also enough spare for the other days. You get briefed around 17H00 and they supply max 7 Plastic cases per group of 6 to transport your food, drinks and bedding. Each case around R520.00 for the week.
Your 1st morning you do a 600 meter climb up Potberg which you can climb at a steady pace and rest if you wish. Water in a bladder and enough snacks in a day pack works well every day.There is enough flowers and scenery on the way up. You walk in to the most awesome rock formations . Be alert as the shapes differ all over and awesome. You get to your hut in the valley around 15H00. Enough time to drink a nice red wine or 4. Braai or cook inside. Day 2 you start with an easy 400 meter plus climb, Rocks and flowers all over. Make use of water pools when descending. Don`t believe the 2 km marker it is a bit further. You arrive at a stunning hut at the sea with outside braai. From day 3- Now your trip starts with whales, dolphins and seals. To highlight this all you experience the pools, rocks and thundering sea. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Your hut again with an awesome view watching whales from the deck and have a sundowner on the dune. Every day the hike delivers whale watch while scanning the eco system that can not be described. Hiking all along the coast, just can`t be compared to other trails or hikes. Your last hut and evening is as the trail was - AWSOME! Fire and new friends clears your spirit and a new challenge to go back to the rat race. You Must Do This Hike!
5 days of stunning natural beauty, pristine bush, aqua seas, endless beaches, whales and dolphins! Accommodation is rustic but comfortable with beautiful views. The slack packing options with luggage portage is the way to go! Hiking is easily doable for adults and children alike. A wonderful experience!
I give the Whale Trail five stars ***** for the experience. To walk the trail across five days with a group of friends is simply unforgettable. If you like hiking then this is a must-do. I felt the actual hike was more strenuous than I expected and there were lots of people nursing sore muscles after the first days hike from Potsberg to Cupido's Kraal. Yes, the cottages are rustic and require some maintenance, and everything does not go off 100% but outdoor hiking trails are not supposed to be five stars glamour occasions. You stay every night in a functioning cottage with hot water, solar electricity and full catering services. Your ration of clothing and food is dropped off at your cottage daily. My advise is to plan well and have a good set of shoes, backpack and well organised food and clothing allowance.
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
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.
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.