Classification: The Perlemoen Trail is a 3-day fully catered, linear, slackpacking trail
(standard self-catering option also available)
with shorter on or two days' hiking options also.

Environment: Day 1 - pristine, Day 2 -pristine, Day 3 - natural

Accommodation: Luxury (with standard, self-catering option)

Facilities and safety: Excellent

Difficulty Rating: Day 1: moderate (5/10) (5 on 10 point scale), Day 2: moderate (4/10), Day 3: easy (3)

Basic Trail Description:

“This is a trail for leisure walkers as much as for serious hikers. One of the most impressive trails in the world” Fiona McIntosh - Author of numerous books on hiking and editor of OUT THERE Magazine

The The Perlemoen Green Flag slackpacking trail (with an alternative self-catering option), centered around South Africa's famous Great White shark cage diving and whale watching capital of Gansbaai, basically consists of two days' hiking. The trail provides fascinating insight into the area – famous for its shipwrecks and infamous for its perlemoen poaching! This is a trail for whale watchers, fynbos lovers and cultural enthusiasts with wide open beaches, intimate coves for swimming, sea cliffs with pounding waves and limestone caves. The location of the trail can be seen on the accompanying map.

On Day 1 the trail hugs the coast from De Dam to Buffelsjag (15km) with the option of walking to Pearly Beach (another 7 km). On Day 2 the trail follows the beach to Franskraal (12 km) and Day 3 runs from Gansbaai, along the rocky coast, with its caves and excellent whale watching, to Die Plaat (8km). A third and fourth day can be added with exciting activities like an Ocean Trip by rubber duck to view the thousands of seals around Dyer Island or an Inland Trip consisting of a guided walk through the renowned indigenous Platbos Milk wood forest as well as a quad bike or 'tractor with trailer' ride to the top of Franskraal Mountain.

Download the brochure for this trail (PDF, 406 KB)

Click on image to view
Trail Information