Hiking Trails Port Alfred
Looking for the best hiking trails in and around Port Alfred? Here are some trails with historic sites or adventure through the nature areas surrounding Port Alfred, perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts at any skill level.
Shipwreck Hiking Trail
Start: Port Alfred
Finish: Fish River Mouth near East London
Duration: 69 km over five days
Fitness: moderate
This six day, five night hike takes you along the Shipwreck Coast renowned for the number of ships which ended up on the rocks. The hike includes the sheer beauty of this wild, unspoilt strip of coast, beautiful estuaries, showering in the rough, cooking your food over a bush fire and a complete escape from civilisation.
Overnight camps range from bush camps with a huge fireplace and basic dormitory-style sleeping to an historic, stone cottage and a treehouse suspended above a stream.
Despite its length, the hike is not overly strenuous, covering between 7 and 14 kilometres a day. Days are spent walking the beaches of the coast whilst evenings are spent inland. Not all of the campsites are close to the coast and you can expect to hike as far as 5 km through riverine forest, or through farmlands to reach them. Shipwreck hiking trail is great for birding enthusiasts.
Assegaai Trail
Start: the parking area under trees at the office, off the R343 between Grahamstown and Kenton-on-Sea
Duration: 35 km of hiking trails through the nature reserve, some of it alongside the Assegaai River
Fitness: various, there are 4 hiking trails
Assegaai Trails markets itself as a real back-to-nature experience and the farm is a huge property on which there are four trails – red, purple, yellow and blue. Three of the trails start at Bottom's Up campsite at the main entrance. This semi-open air 'rustic with class' camp lies on the edge of a dam with the opportunity to canoe or tube should the whim take you. There are bunk beds and mattresses, drinking water, hot showers and flush loos.
The Yellow Trail
The yellow trail heads up past Willow Pool on the Assegaai River, comes alongside the red trail briefly at The Split and then climbs to the highest point of the farm, before heading via the Ruin up the escarpment and Everest Lookout with incredible views over the river. It ends at Rock Bottom campsite.
The Red Trail
The red trail heads past Piggy Dam (hot day swimming hole), crosses the farm road into open grassland and allows one to spot game; plenty of antelope in the open veld. From here, it heads to the escarpment where a little pink detour links to the yellow route and the Everest Lookout.
The Blue Trail
The blue trail occupies the north easterly section of the farm, whilst the purple trail is the only one to head south east to Crystal Springs, Pilgrim's Rest (not the town) and Bird's Eye View, before heading via Lily Pool to the Assegaai River. If you are a tree fanatic, then the 1 km Assegaai Tree Trail will leave you stunned.
11.7-km out-and-back
Diaz Cross Trail
Check out this 11.7-km out-and-back trail near Port Alfred in Ndlambe Municipality in the Eastern Cape. A moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 37 min to complete. This is popular trail for birders and walkers who wish for solitude.
Hillscapes Luxury Guest House in Port Alfred is the ideal place to stay from where any of the trials are bit a small trip away. Enjoy beautiful sea views, privacy, outstanding hospitality and great food.
This upcoming holiday season, Owen and Joanne Hilliar, owners of Hillscapes, are geared to offer even more than their bespoke style South African hospitality for the discerning guest.
The Hilliars are known throughout the country and abroad as the epitome of true South African hospitality in a genteel environment, where good times are shared and memories to last a lifetime are made. With its magnificent location, splendid views, luxurious rooms, attentive staff and good food, Hillscapes Guesthouse sets the benchmark as the perfect place to replenish the soul.
Luxurious accommodation adds to the comfort with a choice of an inside hearth, a traditional braai, library and an acclaimed landscaped indigenous garden with a pool. It is a haven for beach lovers and close to the ocean.
Jo-Anne and Owen are totally hands-on hosts and will personally entertain and/or advise their valued guests on walks, Kowie River boat cruises, special drives, fishing, cycling and hiking, to mention but a few.
To ensure an unforgettable visit, it is vital to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment on https://hillscapesguesthouse.com/ Read our reviews and become one of the many delighted guests of ours.
The Hillars