The West Coast is not the first place everyone thinks of when they hear “hiking”. That’s why we at Dirty Boots love it. There’s space, in more ways than one and you can actually book onto a trail without having to pounce on your phone at 1 minute passed midnight.
The landscape can look deceptively sparse: low hills, scrubby veld, rocky coastline. But spend a day walking through it and you start noticing the details. Tiny flowers. Succulents. Birds. Lichens. Rock pools. Old fishing…
The West Coast is not the first place everyone thinks of when they hear “hiking”. That’s why we at Dirty Boots love it. There’s space, in more ways than one and you can actually book onto a trail without having to pounce on your phone at 1 minute passed midnight.
The landscape can look deceptively sparse: low hills, scrubby veld, rocky coastline. But spend a day walking through it and you start noticing the details. Tiny flowers. Succulents. Birds. Lichens. Rock pools. Old fishing tracks. And, during flower season the rolling out of the most spectacular wall to wall carpeting of flowers.
Outside of flower season you can sometimes walk the whole day without seeing another person; there is a particular type of peacefulness on the West Coast. Then there’s the fresh fish, an icy drink and your tired feet bare on the soft sand as you watch the fiery sunset.
The West Coast’s more gentle elevation profile- nice regular beat rather than a heart attack-really suits slackpacking. You can cover good distance without serious fatigue, walk long stretches of beaches, through nature reserves, across farmland and fynbos, then still finish the day with plenty of time for a braai and a star gazing session.
The big trick for West Coast slackpacking is choosing the right season.
Late winter and spring can be spectacular when the wildflowers arrive, but the exact timing depends on rainfall. Summer can be hot and windy. Our sun can be brutal, so choosing a route with access to regular swims makes all the difference. Consult with your slackpacking operator so that you choose the trail that fits your imagination.
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