Every time we do an overnight hike with a group of friends, we are reminded how privileged we are in South Africa to have these wonderful facilities in wilderness areas and National Parks.
A friend had a booking for a party of 12 for the Postberg hike in the West Coast National Park. This two-day hike is only available during August and September when the Spring wild flowers are at their best. He phoned the Park office 15 minutes before the opening time on the first day of booking (1st June) to find that there was only one weekend still not booked ??!! Needless to say, he booked it.
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| The slopes of the Postberg with Langebaan Lagoon in the background |
The West Coast National Park is north of Cape Town and south of Langebaan and Saldanha Bay. There are limited overnight facilities which means taking a tent and a high density foam mattress. There is an ablution block with toilets and basins (cold water), a couple of tables, braai facilities with wood, and grids and a portable wash-up stand are provided. The overall distance of the hike is 27.3km, the first day being 15.5km and the second day 11.8km. (maximum number of people in group – 12) Water is only available at the start and at the overnight camp, so water bottles must be carried.
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| The mouth of the Lagoon meets the Atlantic Ocean |
We left Cape Town at 7.15 on the Saturday morning, arriving at the Park at 8.45. There is secure parking at the start of the hike. The first stretch of the hike crosses a plain covered with yellow, orange and white and lilac daisies – a sight that was repeated every time we crossed a plain. The route is not particularly strenuous, but does have some good uphill stretches with magnificent views of the Langebaan lagoon and the coast.
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| Looks like sand in the distance, but those are flowers! |
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| A brief stop among the daisies |
The overnight stop is on the coast at facilities which are used by day visitors until 5.00p.m. So if you are expecting to camp in a remote untouched wilderness area, you will be disappointed. But then once the day visitiors had left, the ablution block was cleaned and the wood and grids and wash-up stand were delivered.
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| Drinks at Sunset |
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| Red sails in the Sunset? |
Once the tents were pitched and hiking clothes changed, we gathered on the rocks next to the sea for drinks at sunset. And then came our evening braai and good conversation. And, of course, with night came absolute quiet, except for occasional snuffling and other animal noises.
On the second day the trail passes the cars after about 6 kms where heavy packs can be offloaded. We then walked about 2.5kms along 16-mile beach which took us in sight of a wreck. The path turns into the dunes where we sat and had a light lunch, and then turns and heads back along behind the dunes. The second day was very much easier, partly made so by being able to do the beach walk without packs.
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| Oystercatchers and Kelp Gulls |
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| The turnoff with the wreck in the background. |
If you are still hungry, or did not bring lunch, there is a shop near the cars at the end of the trail which sells books, hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks, chocolate and chips
For bookings during August and September phone 022 707 9902/3 (before 8.00a.m. if you want a weekend) on the 1st June.
