Port Alfred to Fish River
(5 Night & 6 Day Trail – Including 1 Day & 1 Night Canoe Trail)
Day 1 Start at Port Alfred Eastern Beach to Milkwood hut on Rufane Farm (±8,6km)
Hikers start at Eastern Beach and make their way along the coast, seeing Fountain Rocks at low tide, reaching Rufane River Mouth which is normally closed to the sea. They will overnight at Milkwood hut Rufane Farm hut. This hut is set amongst the trees, with views over the farm lands.
Day 2 Milkwood hut to Umtunzi Riet River hut (±11km)
Leave Milkwood Hut (Rufane farm) and follow the same path back to the beach, once on the beach turn left towards Riet Point ± 5km (rocky outcrop). After ±1.5km hike you will arrive at Riet River holiday cottages. Head towards the cottages on the Port Alfred side of the river, follow the dirt road to a gate (±1km); you will meet up with the R72 main road. Cross straight over the road, through the two pillars, and through the large gate. Follow the trail /markers to Umtunzi River hut. About 1km.
Day 3 Umtunzi Riet River Hut to Three Sisters (±4km)
Follow the same path back to the beach through Riet River Village. Once on the beach, turn left, and walk about 1.5 km. When you arrive at Three Sisters Rocks, stand in front of the largest rock, look up towards the sand dunes, and where you see a break in the dunes, head up towards that break. Walk through the break, down into a dip in the dunes, you will see anchor signs in the bush ahead and other signs for you to follow. You will go through some indigenous coastal forest, and then onto grasslands. Follow the signs. Go through a small gate to Three Sisters hut – a face brick building. First walking past the 2 toilet facilities.
Day 4 Three Sisters to Kleinemonde West River mouth (±2.9km) then 9km paddle & ±3 km hike to Lily Pad Hut
Leaving the overnight hut the hikers make their way to Kleinemonde West River Mouth. The Trail Manager will meet them for the briefing & supplying the canoes, then a (±8km paddle) and (±3km hike). Reaching Nyala Valley Game Reserve you shoulder your backpacks for the hike to the overnight hut, where you can enjoy the beauty of the reserve, looking out for nyala, giraffe, impala, zebra, wildebeest, etc. The overnight hut is set in an indigenous forest.
Day 5 Lily Pad Hut to Stone Cottage (3km hike & 8km paddle back to river mouth) plus ±10km hike to cottage
Hiking (±3km) from Lily Pad Hut back to the canoes, then (±8km) paddle back to the river mouth, where the Trail Manager will collect the canoes etc. The local Kleinemonde East Shop and Bottle Store are available for purchasing extra provisions before heading along the beach to the last overnight hut. Just before reaching Clayton rocks, at low tide, look out for the mast of the Umvolozi, which sank in 1890. The fully contained Stone Cottage is very comfortable, with lights, hot water, lounge, 3 sleeping areas upstairs and kitchen.
Day 6 Stone Cottage to Fish River Mouth (±14,34km)
Leaving Stone Cottage hikers make their way back to the beach, where they can visit the Fish River Light House, then return to the beach for the last section along the coast to Fish River Mouth, where the trail ends and everyone is shuttled back to their motor cars.
The hiking trail can also be done over weekends in sections.