Schaap Eiland Hiking Trail Skirts The Edge Of The Village Of Yzerfontein

Approximately two kilometres long, it starts from the main beach of Yzerfontein. It runs in a southerly direction (direction Cape Town) towards the harbour.

Let’s Trail

On the trail, many indigenous coastal bird species may be encountered. One of the most important is the once-endangered African Black Oystercatcher with its bright red legs, long pointed red bill and shrill whistle-like screech.

Whale Season

During the whaling season, from July to October, and even later in the year, Southern Right and Humped Back whales come inshore. Near the safety of the harbour, they mate and calve. It is then possible to watch these graceful giants up close.

Koeskatgat

Find secret spots

A short distance from the start of the Trail one passes a rocky outpost in the sea with the quaint local name of Koeskatgat. Here you will encounter the first colony of dassies (also called hyrax, rock rabbits or coneys).

After passing Koeskatgat, the trail soon crosses the whitewashed and thatched “Vishuis”, the oldest building in Yzerfontein, now home to the Yzerfontein Tourism Office.

Die Vishuis

From the “Vishuis” follow the street a short way and turn right towards the harbour. The original harbour wall was built during World War II. Meeurots, our beacon of Yzerfontein, is seen throughout your walk.

The trail continues past a number of fishing coves with descriptive local names: Blaasgat, Hoëbank, Starck’s Bank, Duiwenes, Deurspring, Spuitgat, Gladdebank, Skuimgat, College, Draaibank, Grasbank, and Kreefgat.

Flower Season

During the spring flower season from August to the beginning of October, this part of the trail is spectacular and walking through the vygies (succulents), aloes and other small flowers is an unforgettable experience.

Schaap Eiland

The trail ends at Schaap Eiland. It is not a real island but a little peninsula which is cut off from the mainland during high tide. In earlier days Yzerfontein was the holiday spot for the farmers of nearby Darling who brought along cattle and sheep to provide meat for their families. After and during your hike, have a rest on one of the many benches. Enjoy the sea, the peace, the whales and the view of Dassen Island nine kilometres away in the distance. On a clear day, you may even see Table Mountain to the south.

We hope you enjoyed your hike, the spectacular view, the ocean and most of all the beauty of our special environment in Yzerfontein. A warm thank you to Yzerfontein Conservancy for constantly upgrading our Schaap Eiland Trail with beautiful signage, sea shelled footpath and benches to rest upon.

The West Coast Way offers six completely free, themed routes for you to self-drive: Tractor Route, Berg Route, Foodie Route, Cultural Route, Wild Route – as well as the scenic Cape Way Route – all of which showcase the many drawcards and nature activities that punctuate these roads.

Find Yzerfontein on the West Coast Way Culture and Tractor Route.

For More Information:

The trail is open 7 days a week:  Any Time!
Distance from Cape Town: 80km
Where:  Start from the Harbour!
Coordinates: 33.3330° S, 18.1620° E
Contact:  +27(0) 22-451-2985 (Office Hours) |  [email protected]

Open: Mon-Thurs: 08:30-17:00  |   Fri: 08:00-15:45

Book a place to stay at Yzerfontein Accommodation

Book at one of the many self-catering holiday apartments with Yzerfontein Accommodation and you can add wonderful activities to your stay: like horse riding, a photoshoot, a delicious picnic or a skydiving experience. Yzerfontein Accommodation is a family business built on openness, consistency and loyalty. They cultivate personal, intimate relationships with the locals enabling them to personalize your experience by offering self-catering accommodation and holiday packages.

West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature

West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.

Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way: Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve. For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777.  Follow us on  on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.