Hiking Trails
   | ALIKREUKEL COASTAL SLACKPACKING TRAIL Be fascinated by the mysteries of the past, while experiencing the delights of the present. The Alikreukel trail is a showcase of the natural beauty and cultural treasures of the coastal area around Blombos, Jongensfontein and Stilbaai. This is a guided four-day slackpacking trail, where hikers only carry the basic items for the day and overnight in very comfortable accommodation, with all meals supplied. One of the days is spent around Stilbaai, visiting the museum and paddling up the scenic Goukou River to visit an olive farm. Walk past the famous Blombos Cave, where people lived and developed more than 70 000 years ago, and see the ingenious fish traps that the Khoikhoi people built more than 2000 years ago. Watch whales close to the coast in season, and marvel at the natural and geological diversity of the area. Visit Alikreukel Trail for additional information or to make your booking. |
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 | SOUTHERN RIGHT TRAIL This is a coastal trail between Stilbaai and Jongensfontein, starting from Morris Point and ending up at the caravan park in Jongensfontein. Care must be taken to walk this trail at low tide as it can become dangerous with higher tides. Beautiful rock pools, fynbos, birds and small animals can be enjoyed. For the season swimmer there are beautiful rock pools to swim in on the way. Take own water and snacks, sun block, camera and wear hiking shoes and hat. Approximately 11km. It is suggested that you leave a car at the finishing end for your return. |
 | PAULINE BOHNEN NATURE RESERVE This is a large reserve and has several trails on it. Birding, flowers, scenery and wild life can be enjoyed on these walks. Don’t forget to take along your camera, water bottle and snacks. Most of the trails are on fairly level ground, those nearer the river are steeper, good walking shoes required. There are beehives in the reserve and care must be taken to avoid annoying the bees. There are trails of various lengths, anything from 1 hour to the whole day. Hat and sun block recommended. |
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| TUIN OP DIE BRAK Die-tuin-op-die-brak in Stilbaai is a unique fynbos park featuring the calcareous limestone fynbos specific to this particular region. These plants have probably played a crucial role in the survival of humans at a time of drastic climate change. The probability that humankind survived in this vicinity when the rest of the world had been rendered uninhabitable by extreme cold, is strongly supported by archeological finds. Viewed together with museum exhibits and other local heritage components, this park has the potential to become a tourism attraction without an equal anywhere in the world. The park is at present partially developed. The overall design and the more detailed design of exceptional features has been undertaken by the award-winning landscape architect, Dr Ben Farrell, and his equally talented daughter, Berdien Farrell. The project is driven by a non-profit organization staffed by volunteers on behalf of the Hessequa municipality. These are our aims: to establish plants endemic to the region to assist in saving endangered plant species (we already have 8 species on the red data list) to inform schoolchildren about their exceptional environment (plants are properly labeled) to promote tourism, thus creating sustainable jobs related to the further development and maintenance of the park; such jobs would require various levels of education and training, from unskilled laborers to specialist researchers. to generate a positive trickle-down effect on the business section of Stilbaai, in particular the hospitality industry, thus creating yet more sustainable work by attracting visitors throughout the year. We cater for physically challenged visitors The park has been designed to be wheelchair-accessible, with broad, level paths. A wheelchair-friendly toilet has already been installed in the existing kiosk. A section of the park, not yet established, will be devoted to strongly scented plants to appeal to sight-impaired visitors, with labels in braille. We have installed an analemmatic sundial, which is already a great attraction to visitors This is a sundial constructed in such a way that a person standing on it forms the gnomon, indicating the time. Every such sundial on earth has to be individually designed. This component of the park is extremely popular with all our visitors, especially children. The park boasts specially designed garden seats. Made of concrete, cast in a simple, sturdy form, these seats are durable yet elegant. We need funds Since the park requires several built features as well as many more trees and plants, completing the total design is an expensive undertaking. Contributions of above R1000 will be acknowledged on our sponsor board in the kiosk. Sponsor a tree, a meter of paving, a garden seat, a full garden feature, fountain, fishpond or a feature for the sight impaired. For more information contact: Naomi Van Schalkwyk: +27 (0)28 754 2087 Alice Duddy: +27 (0)28 754 2490 Address: Osler Street 6674 Stilbaai East | WEST RIVER BANK HIKING TRAIL This trail follows the western shore of the Goukou River between the jetty/ launching area and the harbour, including the stream from the Information centre. The trail can be started from the Info centre, the harbour or the jetty. This route is paved most of the way and is fairly level. Bird watching and nature can be enjoyed along this scenic route. Approximately 2km each way. Contact: Stilbaai Tourism Bureau Tel: 028 754 2602 |
| WEST RIVER BANK HIKING TRAIL This trail follows the western shore of the Goukou River between the jetty/ launching area and the harbour, including the stream from the Information centre. The trail can be started from the Info centre, the harbour or the jetty. This route is paved most of the way and is fairly level. Bird watching and nature can be enjoyed along this scenic route. Approximately 2km each way. Contact: Stilbaai Tourism Bureau Tel: 028 754 2602 | |
| GEELKRANS NATURE RESERVE Self issue permits are available at the gate. The trail goes in a loop towards the east and returns via the coast.This trail can be fairly challenging, and is not very well marked.Take along water, snacks, binoculars and camera and wear hiking shoes, hat and sun block. Approximately 3 hours. Contact: Stilbaai Tourism Bureau Tel: 028 754 2602 | WILD RESCUE NATURE RESERVE This is a private nature reserve and is situated about 20km up the Goukou River. Where applicable, regulations are posted at entrance points. General rules regarding nature conservation and consideration for fellow hikers are valid for all routes. Contact: Gill Simpson Tel: 078 875 5776 |