The Chokka Trail

• St Francis

THE CHOKKA TRAIL - A slack packing trail with a difference!

St Francis Bay - Port St Francis - Cape St Francis - Oyster Bay

Experience nature on foot, at your own pace and with overnight accommodation in beautiful guest houses. You only carry a lunch pack whilst your luggage is transported to your next over night stay.

This 62km trail includes a canal cruise and calamari tasting.

Hikers meet at the Cape St Francis Resort, where vehicles may be left in a secure area for the duration of the hike. They are then transported to Oyster Bay to do a warm-up walk to Thysbaai, an out-and-back route of up to 19km – or whatever distance takes your fancy.

Look out for whales and dolphins playing in the waves, and it is not uncommon to see the Cape clawless otter between the rocks. If you are lucky you will also be able to spot ancient Khoi fishtraps, only visible during low tide. Oyster Bay is a hidden treasure, with one of the most unspoilt beaches in South Africa. It is hard to find a more relaxing view than the one from your overnight stop, Oyster Kaya.

On the second day the trail starts in all earnest as you walk the length of the Sand River to St Francis Bay. The Sand River is a dune bypass system; a sea of rolling dunes as far as the eye can see and with a wonderful view of the Baviaanskloof mountains to the north.

At almost 18km, this is the longest section of the trail. The extent of the challenge will depend on weather conditions on the day, but the reward of knowing you walked where relatively few humans have set foot before is priceless. You will pass shell middens, proof of human life more than 2 000 years ago. The trail ends at Duneridge Country House, a welcome oasis after a day in the desert!  Here you may also spoil yourself with a well-earned massage at the in-house health centre before dinner.

Day three starts with a short section of coastal forest towards Mostertshoek, west of Cape St Francis, following footpaths on the Wild Side along the shoreline back to Cape St Francis. The hike takes you through parts of the coastal cradle of humankind, through a variety of fynbos and more middens.  After checking in to the Cape St Francis Resort, you will enjoy a sunset cruise on the famous St Francis canals before dinner.

Day 4 finishes with a hike along the shoreline past Shark Point to the only privately owned working harbour in South Africa, Port St Francis, where you will enjoy the highlight of the trip, a calamari tasting at Chokka Block.  After the tasting you will again follow the shoreline, completing the 3km Two Harbours Walk that ends at the Bruce’s Beauties where you will enjoy a light farewell lunch.

The Chokka Trail is fully catered and includes bed and breakfast, packed lunches and dinners, as well as the canal cruise and calamari tasting. For bookings, contact Esti on 073-825-0835 or info@chokkatrail.co.za and for rates and further information visit www.chokkatrail.co.za

The trail is closed from December 16 to January 7, and transport to and from the PE airport can be arranged.