THE WILD COAST HORSE AND HIKING TRAILS

The Wild Coast Trails network offers a symphony of adventure experiences along the 270-km Wild Coast. A number of innovative packages offer horse trails, hiking, canoeing, cultural experiences, biodiversity attractions and accommodation in stunningly situated rest camps or village home-stays. Most packages include guides, meals and hot outdoor showers.

Amadiba Adventures

You are invited to experience a journey into the landscape, culture and history of the Amadiba people. Two magnificently-sited coastal camps are the stopovers for the horse and hiking trails that stretch between Port Edward and Mkambati Nature Reserve ?? a distance of 25km. The horse trails are suitable for novice and experienced riders alike.

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Pondoland Trails

This trail unlocks access to the most spectacular - but previously inaccessible - sections of the Wild Coast. Multi-day horse and hiking trails are offered along a 110km stretch, with entry/exit points at Msikaba, Mbotyi and Port St Johns. One can overnight at rest camps or in the local villages with home stays in the indigenous communities.

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Day rides

Community-based horse riding day trips are offered at various coastal locations and hotels. Ride through beautiful forests, grasslands and beaches or visit local cultural attractions. Trips range from 2-hour rides for novices to full-day advanced rides. Day trips are currently offered in partnership with Umngazi River Bungalows and Mboyti River Lodge. Rides also depart from Msikaba, bordering Mkambati Nature Reserve, and Poenskop, near Port St Johns. Safety equipment is provided.

Port St John??s to Coffee Bay Village Hiking Trail

Feel like a shipwrecked explorer as you immerse yourself in the still-intact culture and traditions of the Xhosa people along this famous stretch of coast. Meet sangomas (traditional healers), visit shebeens and experience authentic local celebrations. Five- and six-day trails guide hikers through remote villages and stunning coastal habitats with overnight accommodation at local village homesteads participating in our home-stay programme.

Hotel Hopping Hiking Trails

Walk the lower section of the magnificent Wild Coast in style and comfort. This hike takes in some of the most unspoilt and picturesque sections of our coastline. Long sandy beaches, rocky points and cliffs, beautiful lagoons and estuaries and pristine coastal forests characterize this section of the Wild Coast.

Wild Coast Meander
Wild Coast Amble
Wild Coast Pondo Walk
The Hotel-Hopping Hike

Backpacking Hiking Trails

Many hiking routes have been established by various organisations. Hiking routes enables a person to walk the entire length of the coast - a venture estimated to take approximately two weeks. This would not be the ideal as it would mean missing out on the fascinating discoveries to be made whilst taking a detour through the nature reserves and coastal forests. Guided tours are also available for persons preferring them.

There have always been hikers unable to resist the rugged grandeur of the Wild Coast ?? the green-wooded cliffs, waterfalls that cascade directly into the sea, tranquil lagoons, sugar-crunchy beaches, cool echoing ravines. Sometimes these intrepid adventurers pack everything up and make their own way down the coast. These individual undertakings have always had the attendant inconveniences and risks. But there are many guided hikes and trails along this coast ?? with the option of walking or taking it easy on horseback. Some of them do the whole 280 km over fourteen days, some break the journey down into more manageable sections. Here are some options:

Strandloper Hiking Trail

Safety for Hikers

As any experienced trail-hiker knows, there are certain precautions that must be taken. On the Wild Coast, it is important to cross estuaries at the right time. Most will have shark populations that feed at dawn and dusk. Therefore, estuaries should be crossed at low tide or an incoming tide ?? and preferably during the heat of the day. If the conditions are not right, walk a little upstream to find a place to cross. It??s a good idea to bring an inflatable mattress to float your pack across streams.

BOOKING INFORMATION

For bookings and more information, contact Wild Coast Trails at Tel: +27 (0)39 ?? 305 6455,
Fax: +27 (0)39 ?? 305 6538
E-mail: bookings@wild-coast.co.za

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Hiking and Trails

Wild Coast Community Tourism Initiative

Postal Address: PO Box 18171, Quigney 5211, South Africa

Physical Address: Tourism Centre, Eastern Cape Tourist Board, Quigney, East London 5211, South Africa

Telephone: +27 43 7222203
Fax: +27 43 7222219
info@wildcoast.org.za