
If walking is your thing, South Africa abounds with sensational walking trails and we thought it was time we highlighted a few of them, particularly outside the Western Cape.
Today, we’re letting you know about the Wild Coast: this is the rather magical stretch of coastline that stretches from along the southern coast of the country from East London towards Durban.
You’ll be totally blown away by the vast and almost deserted white-sand beaches, the dramatic cliffs, rugged green hills and dolphins playing in the surf. The Xhosa people who have lived here largely undisturbed even during the apartheid era (most of the Wild Coast was demarcated as a Bantustan) are so very welcoming.
The Wild Coast offers some of the finest hiking in the world but you do need a guide for some sections (the trail has fallen into disrepair and you do need to know where you are going).
We particularly like the stretch from Port St Johns to Coffee Bay (there are excellent accommodation choices in both places) but make no mistake this is serious hiking steep hills, river crossings and long sections of energy-sapping beach walking.
It’s a 64km trail that should take you between five and six days. We recommend being guided along the whole hike (with or without porters, as you prefer). The guides we use are all from the local community and you have the option to overnight in village rondavels.
We suggest starting and ending the trail at excellent boutique guesthouses and hotels at either end.
Length: 64km over five days
Difficulty: Strenuous
Cost: Community guided five-day hikes start at from R2 255 (US$210) a person for group of six (including basic rondavel accommodation and some meals).