THE NAUTILUS TRAIL

The Nautilus Trail, named after the egg pouch shell (paper nautilus) of the Argonauta Argo found along the beaches of the area is a multi-directional 2 day beach trail between Arniston and Struisbaai. It can be walked in either direction depending on the wind and tides.

Day one will take you from either starting point to Vogelgezang Farm via the de Mond Nature Reserve. On day two you can walk from Vogelgezang Farm to either ending point depending on where you started on Day 1. Walkers can repeat Day 1 on Day 2 and visa versa if they wish. Whatever route option is chosen, walkers are exposed to the unspoiled beauty of silvery beaches, pristine nature reserve and either comfortable or rustic self catering farm accommodation.

There are two options available for overnight accommodation at Vogelgezang. Either the Vogelgezang Farm Cottage or Vogelgezang Fishing Cabin. You can arrive at your accommodation the night before, unpack and relax before a truly unbelievable walking experience.

Important Trail Information:

  • The trail is best walked on a low tide as the beaches are steep and the sand is soft when the tide is high. Check out the tides before you start. www.satides.co.za and click on Hermanus.

  • It is best to start the walk about 2 hours before the dead low tide which will provide you with a good 4 hours to enjoy a wide flat beach and a relaxed pace.

  • It is best to walk with the wind, so if the South Easter is blowing then Arniston to Struisbaai is best and the opposite way if a westerly is blowing. This you can decide on the day. For 7 day forecast you can go to www.overbergagri.co.za and click on Weather Report. (Arniston)

  • The total trail distance is +/- 33 km’s. Daily distances will vary depending on the directional option and accommodation you choose. Detailed distances are listed below.

  • Take snacks/picnic, something to drink and appropriate weather dependent clothing in a daypack. Good idea to take a swimming costume, sunblock and sunglasses. It is great to walk barefoot on the beach, but take walking shoes for the Fynbos section of the walk. Binocs are always a good idea for bird watching and whale watching in season.

  • Please refer to the map, directions and distances to plan your route as the trail is unguided.

  • Drop off and collect is not provided for the trail. It is safe to leave a vehicle at either a start point or finish point. These points are either the beach car park at Arniston or the caravan park at Struisbaai. Vehicles are very safe at your farm accommodation.

  • Do not climb over or through any farm fences, besides where stiles are provided specifically for the trail.

  • It is important not to disturb nesting birds. Keep to specified paths where applicable to avoid trampling vegetation.

Rates:

R 300.00 per person for the trail including Nature Conservation permits, night before and overnight accommodation.

Trail Directions and Distances

Note: all distances are measured with a GPS at low tide. Distances may vary depending on tide and deviation from route.

Arniston to Fishing Cabin

  • Park in the carpark at the main swimming beach.
  • Follow the sand road through the dunes and down a steep hill onto the beach and towards the rocky point. Car park to point is 1.2 km’s
  • Follow the coast on the beach for about 7.8 km’s after which you will see a red and white striped pole on your right, up at the high water mark. If you end up at the estuary mouth you have missed the mark.
  • Turn into the dunes at the striped pole and follow the sand jeep track up through the dunes for about 1.3 km’s up to the cabin.
  • Total distance for this leg is 10.3 km’s.

Other way (Cabin to Arniston): follow the jeep track to the beach. At the beach turn left and follow directions above in reverse.

Arniston to Farm Cottage

  • Same as above
  • Climb over the wooden stile at the fence in front of the wooden cabin and follow the jeep track down the hill.
  • Jeep track takes a 90 degree left turn, follow this road for about 3 km’s to the locked farm gate.
  • Use key to open gate and turn right onto gravel road. Please lock the gate behind you.
  • Walk along the gravel road for 600m and turn left at the gate to Farm Cottage.
  • Please lock the gate behind you.
  • Total distance is +/- 14 km’s

Other way (Farm Cottage to Arniston): exit Cottage gate and turn right. After 600m turn left through farm gate and follow directions above in reverse. Please lock gate behind you.

Fishing Cabin to Struisbaai

  • Walk back towards the beach for about 200 meters.
  • Turn right onto a jeep track through the fynbos.
  • Follow this track for 4.6 km’s through the fynbos and along the fence line (don’t cross over the fence) to the de Mond nature reserve offices.
  • Cross the bridge over the Heuningnes River, turn left along the west bank of the estuary and follow the estuary to the mouth, 1.45km’s
  • At the mouth of the estuary turn right along the beach and head for Struisbaai, 12 km’s to beach car park and/or caravan park.
  • Total distance for this leg is 18.25km’s.

Other way: follow the beach from Struisbaai beach carpark or caravan park to the mouth on the Heuningnes Estuary. Turn left and follow the West bank of the estuary up to the wooden suspension bridge. Cross the bridge and follow the jeep track between the wooden offices and the house heading east. Follow the jeeptrack through the Fynbos for +/- 4.6 km’s. At the t-junction with another jeep track turn left to Cabin which should be in sight at this stage.

Cottage to Struisbaai

  • Exit cottage main gate and turn right along the dirt road to de Mond Nature Reserve, 1.7km’s.
  • Enter the reserve at the main gate and cross the bridge over the Heuningnes River.
  • Turn left once over the bridge, and follow the west bank of the river to the estuary mouth, 1.45 km’s.
  • Follow the beach to the right and head for Struisbaai, 12 km’s to beach car park and/or caravan park.
  • Total distance for this leg is 15.15 km’s.

Other Way: follow above directions in reverse.

 

 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD MAPS