Date: 8 March
Time: Whole Day
Location: Wild Route
Contact: www.crayfishtrail.co.za
Description: The 3 Day Crayfish Trail is just enough time to get the highlights of the full 5 Day Trail. While you may not unwind and connect in the same way you would on the 5 Day Trail, you certainly experience most of what the full trail offers. Perfect for anyone looking for an escape from the rat race of one’s daily routine. The trail includes most of the highlights, from hiking in Nature Reserves, along pristine beaches, exploring caves with rock art, visiting Bird Island, visiting a protected birding area, superb single-track hiking and much more. Please note that we embrace the notion of ‘slow living’, allowing one to take time and enjoy the finer things in life. Each season comes with its own highlights and defining features.
Summary:
Total distance hiked: between 35 km – 26 km (depending on group)
Cost: subject to group size, please enquire
Terrain: beach, jeep track, single track, strandveld paths
Day of arrival:
Guests arrive around 14h00 at their accommodation in Rocherpan Nature Reserve. You will have the afternoon to settle in, explore the reserve and visit the bird hides. Guests will be treated to a home-cooked meal prepared by your host. Overnight at the Rocherpan Nature Reserve.
Day 1:
Circular Route around Rocherpan: 7.5km
Terrain: Flat beach/Jeep track
Guests will meet their guide and be ready to depart for the morning hike. A simple continental breakfast is served before beginning the morning walk. We allow for 2.5 hours on this leg of the Crayfish Trail. Wind your way through beautiful single track and wooden paths hedged by fynbos, alongside pan to the lookout point. We then return along the beach and back to your overnight accommodation.
Guests are transported to Vensterklip to enjoy lunch and explore the farm stall and Verlorenvlei which is a protected wetland and Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). There is an optional walk to ‘The Vensterklip’. We then explore the small fishing and surfing town of Elands Bay. Your guide will show you Baboon Point, a provincial heritage site, along with the caves and rock art left by the San. Enjoy a sunset over the Atlantic Ocean, coupled with a beer tasting with a selection of Darling Brew’s very best. For those who prefer wine, we also have an alternative wine and chocolate pairing ensemble in the evening. The group will be treated to a hearty farm-style meal.
Enjoy your night on the iconic Vensterklip Guest Farm.
Day 2:
Elands Bay to Steenbokfontein: 17 km
Terrain: Flat beach/Jeep track
Guests enjoy a farm-style breakfast to get you ready for the day ahead. Transport will leave Vensterklip at 08h00 and follow a scenic drive to your starting point in Elands Bay. Today’s hike will be the longest of the trip. A stunning 18 km along pristine beaches, with the option of walking along the dirt road if soft sand prevails. Guests arrive at the coastal farm of
Steenbokfontein and will either have lunch at Die Plaaskombuis or in Lamberts Bay. Your guide will lead you to Bird Island which is one of six sites in the world where Cape Gannets breed (and the only breeding site which is easily accessible to the public).
Guests will be introduced to local fishers at the harbor and hear more about the fishing sector from the people who are involved. This is also a chance to hear about the Abalobi initiative, which engages technology for social justice and to alleviate poverty. There will also be a visit to Lambert’s Bay’s very own museum.
Day 3:
Early morning. Packed and ready to go. Transport will leave the accommodation early following a scenic drive to the small town of Strandfontein. Enjoy a 9 km hike along the single-track path with ocean and fynbos on either side. Guests have the option to walk a further 7 km to Papendorp at the mouth of the Olifants River. This is a highlight of the 3 Day Trail with truly magnificent views.
Guests will be transported back to their vehicles.
‘If you don’t want to look like a tourist, travel with a local.’