ACTIVE ESCAPES - WILD COAST HIKING TRAIL
Hiking / Wilderness Trails
Port St Johns to Coffee Bay
Wild Coast, Eastern Cape
COFFEE BAY HIKE
The 60km stretch of Wild Coast from Port St John’s to Coffee Bay is well suited
to the more budget-conscious traveller looking for an authentic Wild
Coast Experience. On this 5 day hiking trail you can chose between friendly
village-based homestays, chilled-out backpackers, or a combination of both.
You’ll pass some impressive natural phenomena’s along the undulating terrain
through which this hike traverses. From the fascinating Table Mountain sandstone
cliffs of Port St John’s; to the crescent bays of Mpande and Mdumbi (voted one
of SA's top three beaches and surfing hotspot); the impressive dolerite
intrusion at Brazen Head and the fabled landmark, Hole in the Wall, where the
roar of ocean through this hollowed cliff, has earnt the Xhosa name “esiKhaleni”
(place of sound)
From the lush coastal forests of Silaka to the peppered hills of Hluleka, the
PSJ to Coffee Bay walking trail navigates rocky seashores, mangrove-clad
estuaries, across sandy bay and through evergreen forests.
Daily hike distances can be as much as 20km per day and a lot of this involves
hill climbing and bush walking so you need to be fit, as well as physically and
mentally prepared. The hiking though is always interesting and varied and the
scenery, encounters and sense of achievement you will get from the trail will
remain long after the aches and pains have disappeared. We guarantee that this
is a hike you will never forget!
The PSJ – Coffee Bay trail is normally undertaken as a 5 or 6 day trail but can
be done in 4 days if you are a fit group. A fair amount of the route deviates
inland to avoid the deeply incised river gorges so a guide is essential. A map
and GPS coordinates are also provided to help you with distance bearings and the
local terrain.
Hikers usually carry their own packs but porters can be arranged on request. The
hike is usually walked from north so that the sun is at your back in the
morning, but it can be walked the other way round if preferred.
This hike can be customised to the time & budget constraints of the group, but
our Standard PSJ – Coffee Bay Hike Itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Arrive in PSJ (86km from Mtata). Overnight at a friendly backpacker or
self catering lodge.
Day 2: Hike 3rd Beach PSJ– Mngazana Estuary. 5hrs walk. Overnight: Village-based
homestay (VBA) with dinner, bed & breakfast. Showers and cooking facilities
available
Day 3: Hike Mngazana - Mpande. 4hrs walk. Overnight at VBA, Kraal Backpackers or
self-catering holiday cottage.
Day 4: Hike Mpande - Hluleka. 6hrs walk. Overnight (self-catering) in Hluleka
Nature Reserve or VBA with dinner and breakfast
Day 5: Hike Hlukela - Mdumbi. 6hrs walk. Overnight at Mdumbi Backpackers or
Anchorage hotel (all meals).
Day 6: Hike Mdumbi-Coffee Bay. 4hrs walk.
Overnight options for hotel, self catering lodge or backpacker accommodation
Day 7: After breakfast & walk up sugar-loaf hill, a shuttle will pick you up to
return you to back to PSJ where your vehicles await.
** This trail can be extended by another 3 days by continuing down to Mbashe
river via hole in the Wall and Bulungula Lodge. Alternately just relax for day
or so at the end and explore the surroundings such as unforgettable Hole in Wall
which can be reached in an easy half day walk. Local guides and a pick-up
shuttle can be arranged.
2009 Price: R1,800/ pp (For the Standard 7 day/6 night hike based on
group of 6 persons)
This price includes:
• 6 Nights Accommodation (4 backpacker nights / 2 nights – village based
homestay)
• 5 Hiking Days accompanied by a qualified local guide
• Return shuttle from Coffee Bay back to PSJ (or vice-versa)
• Meals: 2 nights – dinner & breakfast at VBA’s
Price Excludes:
• All drinks & meals (except dinner & breakfast at VBA’s) are for your OWN
account. The backpackers all have excellent self-catering facilities and very
reasonably priced meals - appx. R45-R70 for dinners, and R30 for breakfasts.
• Personal Insurance
• Own transport to/from start of hike
Contact Us
OR
See next to main photo for alternative contact details.
Have you seen our other adverts?Active Escapes - Midlands Cycle ToursActive Escapes - Wild Coast Cycle ToursActive Escapes - Pondoland HikesActive Escapes - Drakensberg Hiking Trails
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