101 Trail Guide | 2010

Walker Bay Fishing Trail

If you own a 4x4 and dream of having a stretch of beach all to yourself, then the Walker Bay Fishing Trail is the place for you. The trail is the closest you’ll get to beach driving in South Africa, without actually driving on it.
The 20 km trail reopened in September 2008 and, under the strict control of CapeNature, it once again allows fishermen and the 4x4 fraternity access to the popular angling spots on Die Plaat.
Located in the LêBos section of the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, the trail roughly follows fishermen’s tracks of old. Its primary function is to create access points to the beach, which it does at four designated spots: Die Polle, Sopiesklip, Groot Duifklip and Klein Duifklip. With a difficulty rating of 1 (at most), expect little more than a scenic drive.
The trail is accessed via a gravel road and begins immediately after the gatehouse. It then runs some distance along the reserve’s boundary fence, before turning towards the coast. Die Polle, set amid the white dunes, is the first stop. It is well-signposted, clean and well-maintained.
Sopiesklip, the second and most scenic stop, is accessed by two relatively tricky dune ascents. A short boardwalk from this stop leads to impressive rock formations. Beneath you lies an expanse of pristine white sand; in front of you, long stretches of rolling waves.
The third and fourth stops are close to each other, and offer much the same privacy as Die Polle, but, unlike Sopiesklip, they are accessible even at high tide. These two spots are favourites among anglers and beachcombers.

What you need to know

Accommodation:
There is no accommodation at the reserve, but there are a number of options in neighbouring towns like Stanford and Hermanus. Visit www.hermanus.co.za or www.stanford.co.za

What else? Sun, sea, surf and beachcombing. Add picnicking and whale-watching to that.

Contact:
Elana Minnaar
028 314 0062;
082 738 5652; 
eminnaar@capenature.co.za,
www.capenature.co.za

Nearest town: Stanford (13 km)

Trail distance: 20 km in total

How long will I be driving? About 1 hour

Full Review | Nadine Thomson (October 2007)

You know the feeling: you’re on holiday, but you’re cranky and sick of fighting the crowds. All you want is a stretch of beach all to yourself. Well, if you own a 4x4, and you’re near Hermanus, Nadine Thomson may just have the remedy for those holiday blues.

First the bad news: Walker Bay Fishing Trail may sound like a place where you can drive your 4x4 on the beach, but it’s not. And the good news?

Walker Bay is the closest you’ll get to beach driving anywhere in South Africa, without actually driving on it.

The 20 km trail, opened in September under the strict control and regulation of Cape-Nature, once again gives fishermen and the 4x4-owning public access to the popular angling spots on Die Plaat, where you can hook anything from kabeljou to steenbras (and even galjoen).

But, I hear you sigh, it’s a fishing trail, not a 4x4 trail! Well, yes and no: it’s a fishing trail that may only be completed in a 4x4, but if your 4x4 is a means to experiencing the great outdoors, then it wouldn’t matter to you if it’s a fishing or a 4x4 trail. Not so?

Show me the way
Located in the LêBos section of the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, the trail roughly follows the fishermen’s tracks of old. Its primary function is to create access points to the beach, which it does at four designated spots: Die Polle, Sopiesklip, Groot Duifklip and Klein Duifklip.

At these spots you can find parking zones just behind the front dunes, from where a boardwalk gives access to the shore.

With a difficulty rating of 1 (at most), I expected little more than a scenic drive. And in this I wasn’t disappointed. The trail is accessed via a scenic gravel road and begins immediately after the gatehouse.

Then it runs some distance along the reserve’s boundary fence, before turning towards the coast.

The area was much greener than I had expected and, at the time of our visit in October, was dotted with flashes of colourful flowers – made all the brighter because of the stark contrast against the vast walls of white dunes – much like paint on an artist’s palette. 

Here, amidst the white dunes, is the first allocated stop. Die Polle is well signposted, clean and seriously well maintained. The message is clear: you are welcome, but remember that your visit is a privilege.

So, stick to the rules and stay in the demarcated zones: it’s strictly prohibited and illegal to drive on the beach, dunes or anywhere other than the demarcated roads, or park outside the demarcated areas. Oh, and leave Spot at home.

Get that Robinson Crusoe feeling
Sopiesklip, my favourite stop, is accessed by crossing two relatively tricky dune ascents.

Stepping off the boardwalk, you find yourself above the beach, atop some dramatic rock formations.

Beneath you stretches a seemingly endless expanse of pristine white sand. In front of you: long, lazy stretches of rolling waves with whales frolicking in what felt like my own piece of heaven. Sublime. 

Given enough time and more accommodating weather conditions I could easily have remained there the rest of my life. All that was missing was my sun lotion and Weber, and I would have been Drive Out’s ex-staff member at large.

If you manage to tear yourself away from Sopiesklip, the third and fourth stop is in quick succession. They offer much the same experience of freedom and anonymity as Die Polle, but without the limitation of tide and outcrop at Sopiesklip.

These two spots are parti-cular favourites amongst anglers and strandlopers.
I know the above sounds a bit schmaltzy, but that’s the way it is. So, if you have a 4x4, you’re in the area and you’re looking for a quiet spot far from the madding crowd (or even if you’re a family looking for some private and safe space for the kids to play), it doesn’t get better than this.

Drive Out says: The Walker Bay Trail is a beautiful escape. It may not be a 4x4 adventure, but it’s certainly a super destination.