Description
Join us on a 5-day, 4-night, 47km (with an optional 13km hike the last day) hiking adventure along the shores of the shipwrecked Indian Ocean where hundreds of wrecks are strewn on the ocean floor- an underwater museum.
One of these, the Company ship, was discovered untouched as recently as 1998- 213 years after she sank in 1785 on her return voyage from China and Batavia, carrying a cargo of porcelain, tin, spices, tea, satin and gold. Eighty crew members made it to shore but 12 unfortunately went down with the ship.
Come and share in some history, discoveries, fables and stories- all whilst hiking on some of the most pristine beaches this country has on offer.
The Tipwreck Trail starts at the Southernmost Tip of Africa, at Cape Agulhas, situated 240km from Cape Town.
Our trail ends in Arniston, originally named Waenhuiskrans (directly translated- Wagon House Cliff). The name derives from the famous cave and the belief that a wagon, with a full span of oxen, can turn around inside. The name Arniston derives from the association with the English East Indiaman, the Arniston (at the time operating as a transport/ hospital ship for the Royal Navy), which wrecked at Waenhuiskrans, on the razor-sharp Agulhas reef, during a storm on the 30th of May 1815, and left only 6 survivors.
This 47km trail (with an optional 13km hike the last day), with sleepovers at Agulhas Rest Camp (Agulhas National Park) and Arniston, meanders a rocky coastline with unspoilt sandy beaches stretching as far as the eye can see.
Guests who are flying in to Cape Town can book the Silent Steps shuttle, from Cape Town International to L’Agulhas, at an additional cost of R1000 per person return.
If you are looking for a hike that is not too challenging yet breathtakingly beautiful, loaded with information and history, well-structured and well organised, where you overnight in 3-star accommodation and treated like royalty by the Silents Steps crew, then this hike is for you!
