Strandlopertjie Trail
The
best weather is between February and May, which have warm windless days. The
Trail Manager will issue you with a tide table to assist you in planning your
river crossings at the Quko, Kwenxura, Kwelera and Gonubie rivers. Include
strong watertight bags and rope in your pack.
There are braai places water and ablution facilities at all huts, except at Cape Henderson which is situated in a State Forest and no fires are permitted. This a one way trail, so shuttling is required - the Reservations Manager will supply you with a list of shuttle services.
Day 1: Kei Mouth Section (8.75km)
The trail starts at the Strandloper Ecotourism Centre
at Cape Morgan, where you will be met by the Trail Manager and issued with a
permit. Highlights of today include walks in coastal forests, a visit to the Kei
Mouth Shell Museum, panoramic views from the Platform on Signal Hill, the Ferry,
a walk down Lover's Lane, sandy beaches and rocky ledges.
Overnight site: The Pumphouse. A unique facility,
complete with its own swimming pool. (hiker style)
Day
2: Kei Mouth to Double Mouth (7km)
Walking towards Morgan Bay, the Trail continues over
fairly rough grass, boulders and sandy beaches. The awesome Morgan Bay Cliff
rises out of the sea to a height of 57 metres and presents an ideal spot to
observe a literal bird's eye view of sea birds and, if you're lucky, bottlenose
dolphins. While today's walk is relatively short, the crossing over the headland
is quite challenging and there are plenty opportunities to fish, collect shells
and to wander and wonder!
Overnight site: Hiker's Cabin, Double Mouth Nature
Reserve
Day
3: Double Mouth to Cape Henderson (14.5km)
Round
the headland from the Quko estuary, the Trail makes its way to the famous
Treasure or Bead Beach. After passing Black Rock (the graveyard of many ships)
and a beautiful shell beach, hikers pass the village of Haga Haga.
Pullen's Bay and along stretch of rocky beach.
Delicious pub lunches are available en-route and shops allow one to stock up on
supplies.
Overnight site: Cape Henderson Hut (Nature reserve) -
No fires allowed.
Day
4: Cape Henderson to Beacon Valley (13.5km)
Today's walk covers kilometres of beach backed by
sand dunes - you will walk past four beautiful estuaries, all of which may or
may not be open to the sea. High dunes are the Strandloper midens, indicating
the presence of hunter gathers (Khoi or Gonaqua) who visited the coast to
harvest mussels and other shellfish over 400 years ago. Other highlights include
bird watching sites, fishing spots and swimming beaches.
Overnight site: Settlers Cottages, Beacon Valley.
Day
5: Beacon Valley to Gonubie (14.5km)
Most of today's walk is along rocky coastline with narrow intertidal beaches. The hamlets of Glen Muir, Queensberry Bay and Glen Eden are tucked away en route to Glengariff. This area offers safe bathing and wonderful surfing. After passing the Bulura River, a grass track leads to sandy beach before the mouth of the Kwelera River. The village of Sunrise-on-Sea is approached by way of a boulder beach and after a bumpy shuffle with Gonubie in sight, the river mouth beckons and a last swim brings you home
For Reservations:
Strandloper Trail
P O BOX 86
KEI MOUTH
5260
TEL/FAX: 043 8411046
CEL: 083 2854773
WEBSITE: http://strandlopertrail.tripod.com
E-MAIL:
strandloper@net4u.co.za