Cast Away Hike

The Castaway Hike is situated in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, east of Port Elizabeth on the R72 and is adjacent to coastal towns such as Alexandria, Kenton-on-Sea and Port Alfred, with the latter town being the largest. The trail head starts at Woodlands Cottages, just off the R72 via the R343 en route to Grahamstown/Mkhanda. The scenic Kariega River, from Port Alfred’s direction and the Bushman’s River from Port Elizabeth side wedge this pristine environment in. Beautiful, open stretched beaches, estuaries and coastal vegetation give further environmental clout to where this hike is situated.

• The splendour of the “unknown” eastern cape and Woody cape forest
• Numerous ship wrecks, …
• Diaz Cross
• Famous Shelly bay
• Kasouga, Kariega ,Boesmans and Boknes estuaries
• Close to Game reserves ( Addo , Sibuya and Kariega Park)
• Unspoilt coastline with minimal pollution.
• Prolific Birdlife and indigenous game.

Mainly mid-altitude lush grasslands with steep and deep river gorges, densely covered with prickly “valley bushveld “(thorn trees and shrubs, aloes and euphorbias). Where conditions permit, the bushveld component morphs into forest: temperate where higher or colder, and thorny to subtropical forest at lower, warmer altitudes. It is a summer rainfall area but largely defined by a mist belt. Being an area rich for agriculture, little of it remains naturally intact. The hiking trail borders on the Greater Addo Elephant National Park’s Woody Cape Section on the southwest and comprise of a combination of vegetation types of which the coastal thicket biome and coastal forest amass with species such as Outeniqua Yellowwood (Podocarpus falcatus), Cape Ash (Ekebergia capensis), Cape Beech (Rapanea melanophleos). Bird species which can be found comprises of both coastal and terrestrial species, i.e. African black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini), Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) as well as estuarine species such as Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Red-knobbed coot (Fulica cristata). Larger mammals which can frequent the area is Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola) and the more nocturnal Bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus.

Trip by vehicle to Kasouga to start your hike. Walk 6 km along beach reaching the Kariega slipway. The hikers get onto Kayaks and head for their 6,5 km paddle upriver. You collected from that point and returned to Woodlands, or may want to paddle back to the slipway depending on your level of fitness and conditions prevailing.
Total distance for the day 11 km , rated easy

Trip from Woodlands Cottages to the Kariega river mouth and walk to the Bushman’s slipway, getting the most spectacular views of the reason why people love Kenton. Slow walk along the boardwalk and over the bridge is bound to allow you to meet some locals and catch-up on the fishing stories.
Total distance for the day 12 km, rated easy

The hike starts at the Bushmansriver mouth, and into the unknown, pristine time ! If the tide is low , you could see sections of the Volo shipwreck .The views from Diaz Cross , past the Boknes river and onto Cannon Rocks
Total distance 12 km rated easy

The Hike is from Cannon rocks to Woody Cape reserve, passing well known Kraal banks, Fresh water springs source, and onto Woody Cape start of the reserve.
Total distance 18 km rated easy

The Hike starts near the beach , and meanders through the Woody Cape forest. Experiencing the untouched forests of the Addo SANPARKS reserve.
Total distance 10 km rated easy.

All the hike days are planned to depend on the wind direction. Should winds or conditions be extreme we drop off on the “comfortable start” end. We have transfers fetching and carrying guests on the day to and from Woodlands Cottages. Woodlands is right in the middle, making the transfers quick and easy. Most days are a 5-6-hour adventure. Meals and authentic stays in the Wooden cottages at Woodlands.

The experience whilst hiking this route is the breathtakingly beautiful ocean views and the occasional interaction with locals cannot be stressed enough. Management should commit to informing hikers of weather conditions of the day in case of adverse situations that are expected as well as flood condition of rivers and estuaries.

1. Natural contact with other hikers: Natural
2. No Industry: Pristine
3. Only natural sounds: Pristine
4. Pollution and Erosion: Pristine
5. Alien Vegetation: Pristine
6. Farmsteads: Pristine
7. Artificial structures: Pristine
8. Public sites: Pristine

Rated a PRISTINE Hike by Green flag auditors.

Mugging: Sensitive hikers to take caution. Local guides available
Animals: No dangerous animals
Natural disasters: None
Clean drinking water: Take own
Guiding: Inexperienced hikes recommend a local guide
Maps: Available
Warning signs: None
River, pools , sea: Take caution in mouth and in sea, pools good

• Pristine landscape and vegetation on Hike
• Strong tourism brand on Route72 on Sunshine Coast
• Blue Flag beaches
• Within Port Elizabeth Airport
• Malaria free
• Addo National park , neighbouring
• Weather conditions stable
• Access to Hikers with ease.
• Adventure combo with hike on beach,estuary,forest and kayaking.

Woodlands Cottages & Camping offers affordable, family and pet-friendly, self-catering rustic accommodation in 8 free-standing cottages and 3 guest rooms in the main house. A variety of layouts allow us to cater for individuals sharing rooms, couples, small families, and multiple cottages for those who need space for a large group. We can accommodate up to 50 people. The cottages are tucked away in a lush indigenous garden, many with access to their own unique and secluded boma bath, making us ideal for the perfect romantic getaway.

enjoy a day at one of the 3 beautiful beaches of Kenton-on-Sea or visit the town for some great shopping which is only 3km away. From Woodlands and nearby you have the option to experience kayaks, paddle boats, river cruises, bush walks and horse riding. We also get good rates from the nearby game reserve called Sibuya for day trips to see the Big 5 and we are 70 km from Addo Elephant Park.

Enjoy a day at one of the 3 beautiful beaches of Kenton-on-Sea or visit the town for some great shopping which is only 3km away. From Woodlands and nearby you have the option to experience kayaks, paddle boats, river cruises, bush walks and horse riding. We also get good rates from the nearby game reserve called Sibuya for day trips to see the Big 5 and we are 70 km from Addo Elephant Park.