Addo's Alexandria Hiking Trail
Hiking the two-day Alexandria Hiking Trail in Addo Elephant National Park is an unforgettable experience that leads the hiker through three distinctly different environments ranging from forest to coastal dunes, to seashore. No other trail in the country can boast this diversity, as you clamber up the desert-like dunes and stand aloft cliffs crumbling into the sea, trek through high forest, and along spectacular beaches...
The trail begins in the Woody Cape section of Addo Elephant National Park, where you'll walk through breathtakingly beautiful lush, green, indigenous forest, where ancient yellowwoods and spectacular coral trees can reach skywards, filled with prolific birdlife. You'll pass antelope browsing peacefully laong the way, and the “Waterboom”, a gigantic yellowwood named for the reservoir of water held at the base of its trunk – provides an a perfect resting place.
After crossing the open fields of Perdekloof, the trail moves onto the beach where the stark sandy beach ecosystem and dramatic dune fields provide dramatic scenery and you can trail your toes in the surf. Six kilometers of untouched coastline stretches out in front of the hiker.
The dramatic cliffs of the Woody Cape provide the hiker the two options, either walking along the boulder strewn base of the cliffs (which should be avoided at high tide) or climbing a log ladder to reach the top leading onto the dune fields. Attentive hikers will see Southern Right Whales just off shore in certain months and dolphins are often spotted playing in the waves. You can investigate the wreck of the Nidaros, an old steamer, as well as the fascinating natural debris washed up by the sea onto this protected beach.
After a walk through the aromatic coastal fynbos, hikers will find the Woody Cape hut nestled in thick coastal forest on top of the cliffs, with a view of Bird Island in the distance.
On the second day, the trail traverses sand dunes of the largest coastal dune field in the Southern Hemisphere. It's another world and early morning provides hikers an opportunity to investigate the signs of animals, such as jackals, duikers and the endemic hairy-footed gerbil, left on the dunes from the previous night. Tall posts guide hikers through the shifting dune fields. Fascinating ancient midden sites, evidence of the strandloper people that wandered these shores, can also be seen on the trek through the timeless landscape. The last five kilometers of the trail again winds through the beautiful indigenous forest where knysna turacos paint the canopy.
sThe walk was first opened in 1985 by the Department of Forestry when Woody Cape functioned as the Alexandria State Forest. In 1987, Cape Nature Conservation took over this area as the Woody Cape Nature Reserve. In 2002, South African National Parks assumed management of the area, as part of the expansion of the Addo Elephant National Park.
The two-day Alexandria Hiking Trail, with the option of 2 to 3 nights stay, is for the serious hiker and nature lover. The shorter and less strenuous 7km Tree Dassie Trail Hiking Trail is also available for more relaxed hiker wanting to experience the beauty of the forests.
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Synopsis of the Trail & Facilities
The Alexandria Hiking Trail is a 36km two-day circular trail. The first day is approximately 19.5km, while the second day is approximately 16.5km. Hikers will require a moderate to good level of fitness, especially for the dune crossing on the second day. It is advised to tackle the dune field crossing early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day.
The two Langebos Huts, situated within the forest, are the base huts for the trail and it is recommended that hikers stay at these huts the night before leaving for the first day. The huts are equipped with 6 beds each, with mattresses, a hot water shower, toilet and braai area.
The Woody Cape Hut is situated at the end of the first day’s hike, which overlooks the sea and Bird Island. This hut is equipped with 12 beds, with mattresses, in two bedrooms. It has a rainwater tank for drinking and cooking water only. Toilets are provided.
Cost: R70.00 per person per night, plus the daily Conservation Fee if you do not have a Wild Card. The trail can accommodate a maximum of 12 persons and a minimum of 3 persons.
Bookings for the Alexandria Hiking Trail are done at:
Camp Matyholweni, Addo Elephant National Park, P.O. Box 146, Colchester, 6175, Tel: 041 – 4680916, Fax: 041 – 4680949,
E-mail: matyholweni@sanparks.org
