Whale Trail Hike – Daily breakdown
In this post we give a short daily breakdown of each day on the Whale Trail. If you plan on going, be sure to check out our Prep List for the hike.
Day 1
Potberg Hut to Cupidos Kraal hut.
14.7km with 650m elevation. Tough in terms of elevation, but a lovely walk.
Our journey began at 09:00 when our group of 6 left the hut and we were greeted with a rainbow which we interpreted as good luck. We prepped for sunshine, wind (23km p/h) and rain, but also got hail (ouch!) and sleet. Here’s just a 2 second taste of how chaotic it was. Yes, you may laugh.
After two hours of bad weather (which was the highlight of our day), we were blessed with sunshine! Once the weather cleared up we stopped for lunch at around 9km in. Lunch menu: Hotdogs with smoked sausages. Our highlights include the variety of flora, canola fields, Breede river, Cape Sugarbirds and surfing Cape vultures. Cape Nature really did an excellent job to keep the trails well marked. We’re so happy to be out in nature and with such great company.
Upon arrival at the hut, we took a quick warm shower and enjoyed the last few hours of sunshine and reflecting on the day with a glass of wine. This evening we enjoyed a dinner consisting of chicken sosaties, sweet potatoes and beans.
Day 2
Cupidos Kraal hut to Noetsie hut.
15.2km with 400m elevation.
After surviving the first day, we were in high spirits and the day is complemented with a sunny forecast. We left at 09:00, ready for the day’s worth of adventures. The second day of hiking was more strenuous than the first day (despite the first day’s 4-season-in-one-day weather). You start off with the steepest climb. When you reach the top, you have unspoiled views of the ocean. And guess what? Yup, that’s exactly where you are heading!
The first 11km of the hike consists of mountainous landscapes. The day is made up of a clear hiking path, flora, birds, a radar tower, proper benches to lunch/chill after you’ve descended from the mountain, and incredible views.
Once you’ve descended the mountain, the last 4km path made up of white lime-rock will lead you to the Noetsie hut. Ensure you spare enough energy to make this last 4km. At one point, we heard a swarm of bees, and then had to make a run for it and dress in case we found ourselves in the middle of them.
Finally, when you spot the hut, it will take your breath away and the day’s hike would have made it all worth it! The hut sits facing the sea, with waves crashing AND what a sunset over the mountains. Goodness! Cape Nature was also kind enough to provide wi-fi in this hut.
For dinner we had cheese grillers, mash and corn. Ensure a braai at the hut; its enclosed with a magnificent view.
Day 3
Noetsie hut to Hamerkop hut.
8.5km with 240m elevation.
After a spectacular sunset, spotting a whale or two in the horizon and a great kuier at the hut you’re guaranteed to have a full night’s rest with the background sound of crashing waves. Now that you have hiked more than half of the Whale Trail, you deserve a short(er) hike.
As you leave the hut, be on the lookout for various bird and animal footprints in the sand. Your day begins with the same hill that you hiked down the day before. For the rest of the day, you’ll be hiking above sea level, allowing you to easily spot the dark formations in the clear ocean water; yes, the whales. And lots of calves. You’ll typically find them just behind the breakers, as it’s safer for the calves to swim and not have to worry about predators. We were lucky enough to have spotted between 20-30 whales on our 8.5km journey.
Halfway through the hike, you’ll find a (pretty impressive) staircase that will take you down to a rocky bay. In the summer months, be sure to pack in your snorkeling gear and get into the tidal pools. If that’s not your thing, look above you against the rocks, you’ll find a cave or two which you can explore. Yes, there is a Geocache in there. The cave is easily 100m long and quite wide, with several avenues parting left and right. You can stand straight up and jump if you like! The cave is HUGE! Be on the lookout for the stalactite and stalagmite formations. Remember to not touch them.
Your final 500m is where you reach the sandy beach and walk to your hut. The hut is not the one you spot faaaaaar in the distance. Be sure not to miss the bright yellow hut on your right hand side. May this joyous 500m be the premonition of the next day’s journey.
The hut offers a spectacular upstairs balcony where you can enjoy another great sunset as well as more whale watching opportunities. Lunch consisted of soup with crotons and biltong. Given that it was a shorter hike, we knew we could use our hiking water to make the soup. Some of our creative friends used parts of broken crates to lay out their crackers and cheese; talk about a platter!
When we arrived at Hamerkop, there was no electricity. We notified Cape Nature and they fixed the problem within half an hour! Impressive! After the electricity was restored, we enjoyed a dinner consisting of biltong, Indian can mix, mushrooms, fresh cream, couscous.
Day 4
Hamerkop hut to Vaalkraans hut.
10.5km with 268m elevation.
The first half of the hike is not a walk in the park, but rather, on the sand. To spare energy and time, follow the leader’s footsteps in the sand. If it gets too strenuous, rotate the leader. There were countless active whales and calves visible along the coast.
BLOWHOLES! Do yourself a favour, if you catch the tide at low tide, make sure you visit the blowholes. Why go to Las Vegas to watch incredible fountains, when you can experience THIS, in our very own country? AMAZING!
Day 4 is another heavenly hike. There are lots of tidal waves which you can spend time in and explore. Follow the brick road to Vaalkrans hut. And oh my, what a view! Dinner for the evening was chorizo, sweet pepper, sauce with pasta.
Day 5
Vaalkrans hut to Koppie Alleen; ready for pick up.
7km with 150m elevation.
The final day of this hike is a wonderful hike to the end. It did not fall short of lots and lots of whale sightings. Given that this is a short hike, a few snacks for the hike will suffice.
Check out the seashells on your right hand side as you walk above sea level. This is how high the sea was once upon a time, and see where the sea is situated now. It’s quite a scary realisation!
The group finished the trail by 12:00 and a Cape Nature bus awaited us. It’s an hour’s journey to get back to the office. This is where the group was debriefed with Cape Nature. Any compliments, complaints and suggestions are jotted down.
You finish the Whale Trail feeling rejuvenated, in full spirits, mind well rested, and with a happy heart. Spending five days in nature making incredible memories with wonderful friends (new and old) will definitely give you the extra UMPH! you need in life.
A cool tip: bring along earplugs to get some sound sleep.
