Cape Travel Guides - Hiking and Walking - Adventure Safaris

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  INFORMATION:
  EAST LONDON 
  

Special Interest; Hiking
Province: Eastern cape
City: East London

The Strandloper Hiking Trail
Contact the Strandloper Ecotourism Board on Contact: 043 - 8411046 or cell: 083 285 4773'

A unique five-day trail, 55km - definitely a hike not to be missed. The Trail has sleeping huts, but is liberally interspersed with hotels, pubs and restaurants and makes allowance for the ultimate Coastal Experience. It starts at Kei Mouth and ends at Gonubie.

Wild Coast Hotel Meander
Contact Wild Coast Holiday Reservations on Tel: (043) 743 6181, Fax: (043) 743 6188.
5 day/5 night trail. This 56km trail from Kob Inn to Morgan Bay offers you the opportunity to walk a section of our magnificent Wild Coast with accommodation and meals at the local hotels.

Wild Coast Amble
Contact Wild Coast Holiday Reservations on Tel: (043) 743 6181, Fax: (043) 743 6188
4 or 5 night trail. Starts at Kei Mouth and takes you along a beautiful coastline over headlands and along sandy beaches to Gonubie (54km over 5 days). An added bonus is that only day packs are carried with hikers, whilst overnight bags are transferred daily to the next stop along the destination. Each night you will be comfortably accommodated in unique venues offering full board, comfortable beds and warm water ablutions. (Trennery's or Seagulls, Morgan Bay, Haga-Haga, Cintsa East & Glen Gariff). This hike is flexible and can be structured over a shorter period, or certain stretches can be selected.

Amatola Hiking Trail
The trail belongs to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, but bookings can be made by contacting Pat Speirs on Tel: (043) 642 1747.
Several 2 day/1 night trails and a 5 night/6 day toughey. The two-day loop trails (ideal for weekend outings) are various distances and vary in difficulty to suit a variety of tastes. The 6-day linear trail is 100kms. It winds through many lush indigenous forests steeped in history, particularly that of the frontier wars. Endless waterfalls, cascades and pools in broken mountain terrain entice hikers from all over the world.

Hiking in the Eastern Cape
For further information on hikes, contact the Border Outdoor Association Club on Tel: (043) 642 1747 or via their excellent website www.frontiertours.co.za. 
You will find detailed information written and supplied by outdoor enthusiasts who have walked the trails. Information on Nahoon Valley/Amatola/Alexandria/Tsolwana/Mpofu/Evelyn Loop trails and much more.

Visit the Kologha Forest in Stutterheim. 
Contact Doug Friedman on Tel: (043) 683 2046.
The main attraction is its natural beauty with an abundance of surrounding forests, rivers and waterfalls. The best way to experience these are by foot and there are many hiking trails, which are well marked from the picnic spot (picnic area with braai places and tables - take own wood) 7km on the Kologha Forest Road. The waterfall walk starts as a gentle climb, as far as the second waterfall, and then becomes fairly steep. The longest walk takes you up to the Dohne peak where there is a panoramic view of the town.

Tilty Hill Trail
Tel: (043) 730 7177
8km or 4km hike. They are well marked and safe. Maps of the trails are available on request. The trails take you along the Nahoon River and Tilty Hill banana plantations into thick natural Eastern Cape forest, alive with birds, butterflies and wild flowers, to a unique picnic area, then on over the river on stepping stones to pools higher up where swimming is safe. Stone krantzes make the trail more exciting as they provide a home for the eagles.

The Hidden Cave Trail, Beacon Bay
This trail is reached by crossing the Nahoon River and then turning right into Beaconhurst Drive. As soon as you reach bush on your left, look for a sign indicating the start. It is a short trail, but it has fascinating old trees grasping onto the rocks and the little cove.

Nahoon River
Take a walk alongside the river down to Nahoon Beach and back.

Gonubie Boardwalk
The Boardwalk links the two car parks, the Gonubie Hotel and the beach, and serves to reduce the threat of damage to the high dune. Flat, suitable for all ages.

Umtiza Nature Reserve
Approximately 15km from East London.
The East Cape Nature Conservation has laid out three trails in the reserve, all of which start at their office. To reach their office, drive up Oxford Street, turn left at Amalinda Drive, follow Amalinda Drive, which will become Main Road (drive past the Shoprite/Checkers Centre) turn left into Woolwash Road. Proceed along Woolwash Road until it becomes Buffalo Pass and you will see the sign for "Umtiza". It is advisable to walk in groups.

The Buffalo Trail
Runs to the north of the Buffalo Pass tarred road, skirts the old Pineapple Research Station boundary and winds down beside a beautiful little stream to the banks of the Buffalo River. The trail follows the river downstream for a few hundred meters before ascending a fairly steep hill, alongside a tributary of the Buffalo River, and then returns to the starting point. This trail is approximately 6km long and can be covered comfortably in two to three hours.

Tree Dassie Trail
A shorter trail that can also be walked and, being only 1.5km long, takes approximately one hour to complete. The trail is well marked and well maintained, and there is little chance of getting lost. For more information contact Umtiza Nature Reserve, Tel: (043) 736 9909.

Cove Rock
Approximately 17km from Eat London. Proceed down Marine Drive and, after a further 1.6km, a road on the right side of the road is signposted Cove Rock. Visitors are welcome to park their cars at Lagoon Valey and then walk to Cove Rock.

A Lovely View
The Nahoon Horseshoe View. Turn right into Baden Powell Drive (the turnoff to Country Court Tilty Hll) and look for the scout camp on your right and a survey beacon on your left. Park at the edge of the road and walk up to the beacon. Below you will see the great valley carved by the waters of the Nahoon River over millions of years. Please beware as the slope is rather steep.