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Pink daisies and aloes on the bank above the dam, with green pasture and the Langeberg foothills in evening light.

On the farm

Hiking trails

Where can you hike near Stilbaai?

Start on the farm: a trail climbs from the river up towards Riethuiskraal through fynbos and canyon. Around Stilbaai there are easy coastal walks to the Preekstoel rock and the tidal fish traps, and longer routes like the 11 km Noordkapper whale trail.

  • Red aloes in flower on the farm, with a wetland pond and the flat-topped hills of the valley behind.
  • A single olive tree among rocks and fynbos at the edge of the orchard.
  • Looking out through the thatched farm gatehouse down the gravel drive to the hills.
  • The farm gate under a stone and timber archway at the end of the gravel road.
  • Young olive trees along a grassy avenue in the Stonehouse orchard under a cloudy sky.
  • A wide bend of the Goukou River between green hills under a grey sky, reeds along the near bank.
  • A lone milkwood tree on a coastal lawn above the sea at Stilbaai.
  • A tidal pool and rocky limestone shore on the Stilbaai coast.

On the farm

Put on your boots and walk from the river up to Riethuiskraal. The trail passes through the indigenous canyons and fynbos, with views back over the Goukou, and there are caves along the way to rest in. Allow about an hour and a half.

The upper section of the farm runs through the olive orchard and beyond into indigenous bush, which makes a good short walk before breakfast. Look for bushbuck at the edge of the bush early and late, and angulate tortoises on the paths.

Easy walks around Stilbaai

Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve in Stilbaai East is the easy one: 4 to 8 km of paths through limestone fynbos, proclaimed in 1982, with grysbok, duiker and bushbuck and no permit needed. Watch for beehives along the way.

The West Bank Trail follows the Goukou for 3 to 6 km, mostly on paved paths from the information centre past the harbour and the jetty. The Skulpiesbaai reserve and the Elephant Bush path are short signposted loops near the whale lookout, Morris Point and the fish traps.

Longer coastal trails

Most of the coastal trails are best at low tide, so check the tide table before you set out. The Lappiesbaai Trail runs 8 km there and back from the main beach to the Preekstoel, the "pulpit" rock. The Noordkapper or Southern Right Whale Trail runs about 11 km from Morris Point to the Jongensfontein caravan park, rocky and sandy by turns, with whales offshore in season.

The Geelkrans Trail near the Preekstoel in Stilbaai East is 5 to 12 km and loosely marked. The Strandloper Trail from the Jagersbosch Community Centre in Stilbaai West is about 8 km, unmarked but easy.

A guided slackpacking trail

The Alikreukel Trail is three days of guided hiking from Blombos to Jongensfontein with half a day kayaking the Goukou, with meals and transport included.

Tips

Carry water and sun protection on every coastal walk: there is little shade on the limestone. Tell someone where you are going on the farm trails, and leave gates as you find them.

Good to know

Questions

Are there hiking trails at Stonehouse Lodge?

Yes. A trail runs from the river up to Riethuiskraal through the farm canyons and fynbos, and you can walk the olive orchard and indigenous bush on the upper farm.

What is the easiest walk in Stilbaai?

Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve: 4 to 8 km of easy paths through limestone fynbos, with no permit needed.

Do I need a permit to hike in Stilbaai?

No permit is needed for Pauline Bohnen, the Strandloper Trail or the Skulpiesbaai paths.

When should I walk the coastal trails?

At low tide. The Lappiesbaai trail to the Preekstoel and the Noordkapper trail both cross rocks that the sea covers at high tide.

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