Map of Reserve area
Where to Stay
What to Do
Hiking trails
This beautiful and diverse nature reserve is a hiking paradise. De Hoop’s Klipspringer and Coastal trails allow visitors to explore the reserve’s rich plant and wildlife.
De Hoop is also renowned for the famous Whale Trail, a multi-day hike that traverses stunning scenery and offers the chance to spot southern right whales along the coastline.
Easy to use trail maps for these hiking trails created by Forge can be downloaded here.
De Hoop Coastal Trail
This linear trail begins at Koppie Alleen – a great viewpoint for whale watching. From here, visitors can either walk along the beach or take an exploratory ramble across the rocky shore. Use the boardwalk to get to the water's edge, turning left to explore rock pools, limestone cliffs and rocky outcrops. The beach walk is to your right.
Both walks are best at low tide, when the beach sand is most suitable for walking and coastal limestone platforms become exposed. A tide table is available at the office and at the gate. Please take care not to trample the fragile vegetation on the beach route.
De Hoop Klipspringer Trail
Trail distance: 6km
Estimated time: 2 hours
This circular trail winds across the Potberg Mountains, in the north-eastern section of the reserve. The hike begins at Potberg’s Eco Venue. The views of the Breede River valley are breathtaking. Hikers will also see the Cape vulture colony – the only remaining breeding colony in Western Cape.
Permits
Permits may be purchased for R50 per adult and R30 per child at the reserve office or through CapeNature Central Reservations.
Trail preparation
- Wear comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and a hat.
- Do not hike alone.
- Carry enough food and water with you.
- Make sure you know what the weather conditions are before you depart.
- Take a warm jacket/raincoat in winter.
- Make sure you have a relevant map of the area.
- Take a field medical kit with you for emergencies.
- Obey all signage.
- Stay in a group and on the trails.
De Hoop Potberg Trail
Trail distance: 10km
Estimated time: 3 hours
De Hoop’s marine reserve is a breeding ground for the southern right whale. About 120 whales return to these waters every year to mate and calve.
The high dunes at Koppie Alleen offer an excellent vantage point for whale watching.
The Whale Trail is an unforgettable experience, taking you through one of the Western Cape’s most unique and diverse nature reserves.
The route stretches over 55km, from Potberg to Koppie Alleen, with five overnight stops (hikers spend the first night at Potberg before starting the trail). The unspoilt natural beauty on this trail is unsurpassable, leading through lush fynbos and offering stunning views of the coast.
De Hoop is known as one of the best land-based whale-watching spots in the world. Between June and November, the coastline is transformed as southern right whales migrate here to breed and look after their young.
For more information on The Whale Trail please click here.
De Hoop has one of the best hiking trails in South Africa: the Whale Trail. This route offers coastal and mountain walking with spectacular views and of course plenty opportunities for whale watching. The route is a five-day trail featuring well equipped and recently upgraded accommodation on each of the five nights.
To get a taste of De Hoop Nature Reserve, watch the video below:
Please note: The management of the tourism activities and accommodation facilities of the cottages and camping sites at De Hoop Nature Reserve (excluding the Whale Trail) is handled by De Hoop Collection.
To find out more, download the De Hoop Nature Reserve brochure below.
How to get there
Potberg & Whale Trail:
Take the N2 from Cape Town to Caledon. Turn right at the second turn off to Caledon, where you will find the Venster Restaurant on your left side. Drive through Caledon and then continue on the R316 to Bredasdorp, via Napier. At the 3rd four-way stop street in Bredasdorp, turn left into All Saints Street (Caltex garage on left corner). Travel approximately 8 km on the R319 to Swellendam (past the silos on right hand side). Turn right onto the gravel road signposted Infanta, Malgas and De Hoop. Travel for approximately 50 km straight on to Potberg. (Do not turn right at the De Hoop turn-off). Follow whale trail signs. Go past Ouplaas School. Potberg gate is approximately 10 km from the school.
Koppie Alleen & De Hoop Collection:
Take N2 to Caledon. From Caledon drive through Napier to Bredasdorp. From Bredasdorp take the R319 to Swellendam. At about 6kms turn right – sign posted De Hoop/Malgas/Infanta. Follow the gravel road for 35kms until you see a sign to the right – De Hoop Nature Reserve.
GPS Co-Ordinates (for reserve office/campsite): 34.454040 S 20.400098 E
GPS Co-Ordinates (for Potberg reserve office): 34°22'29.15"S 20°31'59.75"E
General information
Office hours: 07:30–16:00
Tel: +27 (0)28 542 1114/5. If the landline does not connect, or just rings, this means that the line is down.
Whale Trail and permit bookings Tel: 087 087 8250
What Our Guests Say
The Whale Trail allows group bookings of either six or twelve people, with prices starting from R2,800 per person. Additionally, there is a Portage fee of R560 per unit box.
Adults
Day Access = R50
Children
Day Access = R30
De Hoop Nature Reserve Filming
De Hoop lies at the southernmost tip of Africa, where mountains meet the sea and create a fusion between freshwater and marine habitats that support a staggering array of terrestrial and aquatic life. Encompassing roughly 34 000 hectares, this World Heritage Site is one of the largest natural areas managed by CapeNature.
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