De
Hoop Nature Reserve
is important for the conservation
of low-land fynbos for it has
the largest conserved area for
this rare vegetation type. The
Bredasdorp/Agulhas and Infanta
area has an estimated 1500 plant
species of the approximately 9
000 species found in the Cape
Floristic Region.
De
Hoop Nature Reserve
has 86 mammal species. Most notable
are the rare bontebok and Cape
mountain zebra, as well as eland,
grey rhebuck, baboon, yellow mongoose,
caracal and the occasional leopard.
Marine mammals such as dolphins
and seals occur in the waters
off the coast and southern right
whales calve and mate in the sheltered
bays of De
Hoop Nature Reserve
each year between May and December.
At least 250 species of fish occur
in the marine protected area.
De
Hoop Nature Reserve
is famous for its variety of resident
and migratory bird species and
more than 260 species have been
recorded on the reserve. The De
Hoop Vlei attracts large numbers
of water birds. The only remaining
breeding colony of the rare Cape
Vulture in the Western Cape occurs
at Potberg.
Things to do:
One of the most unusual aspects
of the De
Hoop Nature Reserve
is that visitors may leave their
cars at any time and walk anywhere
in the reserve - as long as they
are careful not
to trample the natural vegetation.
There
are four walking trails of different
lengths. Read
More
An
11 km circular drive starts at
the office and takes visitors
through some of the most interesting
features of the De
Hoop Nature Reserve.
An
additional drive of 14 km to Koppie
Alleen on the De
Hoop coast.
The
De
Hoop Mountain
Bike Trail is laid out in the
eastern sector. Two or three days
are needed to enjoy the trail
and advance booking is essential.
Read More
Snorkeling
in large, clear rock pools, where
you are likely to see the finest
examples of inter-tidal ecosystems
in the Western Cape.
Whale
watching is one of the highlights
at De Hoop Nature Reserve.
Every year an estimated 120 individual
whales return to calve and mate.
The high dunes at Koppie Alleen
are an excellent vantage point
for whale watchers.
Walking
in the De hoop Nature Reserve
Vlei
| Coastal
| Potberg
| Klipspringer
1. Vlei
Trail
There are three variations
to the trail (Gebe Trail, Heron
Trail and Coot Trail) and hikers
may walk the entire 15 km to Die
Mond, or cut their walk short
by circling back along one of
the two jeep tracks. All three
variations of the Vlei Trail are
signposted.
The Gebe Trail, the longest route,
takes approximately three hours
to complete and affords hikers
good views of the vlei as well
as ample opportunity for bird
watching.
The Heron Trail may be walked
in less than two hours while the
shortest route, the Coot Trail,
may be completed in an hour. Top
of Trails
2. Coastal
Trail
The Coastal Trail allows
hikers to either enjoy a beach
walk or an exploratory ramble
along rocky shores. Use the boardwalk
to get to the water's edge and
walk to your left if you want
to explore rock pools, limestone
cliffs and rocky outcrops. The
beach walk is to your right. The
dunes present an unusual and fun-filled
walk. Both walks are best at low
tide when the beach sand is most
suitable for walking and coastal
limestone platforms become exposed.
The rock pools are ideal for swimming
and snorkeling. Top
of Trails
3. Potberg
Trail
There are two trails in the Potberg
Mountains. The northern route
marked as the Potberg Trail, is
10 km long (four hours) and takes
you to the top of Potberg from
where there are good views of
the Breede River valley. Top
of Trails
4. Klipspringer
Trail
The shorter Klipspringer
Trail is 6 km long (two hours).
Hikers have a good chance of sighting
the rare Cape Vulture when they
walk this trail. The Cape Vulture
colony at Potberg, with 24 breeding
pairs, is the only remaining breeding
colony in the winter rainfall
region. Top
of Trails
De
Hoop Mountain Bike Trail
Cyclists start at the Potberg
Environmental Education Centre,
where vehicles can be left, and
ride through to Cupidoskraal (11
km) carrying everything needed
with them. The Cupidoskraal hut
is used as an overnight base from
where cyclists may embark on day
rides to the coast along demarcated
jeep tracks. The trail hut provides
comfortable accommodation for
12 people, with storage for their
bikes. A 2 ring gas stove, indoor
fireplace, lighting, pots and
pans are provided. Bedding and
eating utensils must be brought
along. There is a dam about 300
m north-east of the hut where
you could swim, but this water
also supplies the hut so please
do not pollute it. Drinking water
is provided from rain tanks. Firewood
is provided, use it sparingly!
The
Routes
Vaalkrans
| Lekkerwater
| Hammerkop
| Stilgat
| Noetzie
1. Vaalkrans
Route
This route follows
a steep cemented jeep track and
then makes its way down to the
coast along a fairly straight
track, alternating between limestone
and sand. The turn-off is 5 km
from Cupidoskraal and it is a
further 7 km to the coast.Top
of Routes
2. Lekkerwater
Route
This route has a good
road, with some very smooth downhill
sections towards the coast. It
leads down to a private house
on the coast. The turn-off is
2 km from Cupidoskraal and it
is a further 5 km to the beach.Top
of Routes
3. Hamerkop
Route
The Hamerkop and Stilgat
routes are the most demanding.
Hamerkop is predominantly limestone
and rock, with very little smooth
riding, but the more experienced
cyclist will find it most enjoyable.
The route leads past a collection
of old holiday cottages in various
stages of repair. A memorial stone
east of the beach for those who
drowned is evidence of the dangerous
currents on this coast. The turn-off
is 3 km from Cupidoskraal and
it is a further 3 km to the beach.Top
of Routes
4. Stilgat
Route
This route is similar
in character to the Hamerkop route,
although more rocky and difficult,
and should provide the more adventurous
rider with lots of fun. The views
on the way down to the coast are
truly magnificent. The coast is
harsh and rocky and the sea is
dangerous, but a few rock pools
provide safe snorkeling and swimming.
The turn-off is 8 km east of Cupidoskraal
and it is a further 3.5 km to
the coast.Top
of Routes
5. Noetzie
Route
It is a fairly long
ride out from Cupidoskraal in
an easterly direction to Noetzie,
but this is an easy route, with
just a few sections of sand. The
last steep slope down into Noetzie
is the only difficult part. Just
before going down stop and admire
the beautiful views of the bay.
There are some rock pools and
at low tide the rocky bay is fairly
calm for swimming. The turn-off
is 10 km from Cupidoskraal and
it is a further 3 km down to Noetzie.Top
of Routes
De
Hoop Day Visits or Overnighting
De
Hoop Nature Reserve
is open for day visitors between
07h00 and 18h00 (Fridays 19h00).
Camping ~ there are 7 campsites
within the reserve. Ablution facilities
with hot water are available.
These sites are not equipped with
electric power points, but each
has running water and private
braai facilities. Grids are provided.
Toilet paper is provided.
Self-catering Cottages ~ eleven
cottages may be hired in the reserve.
Ranging from basic (overlooking
the De
Hoop vlei) to
the more luxurious and spacious
lodge at Lekkerwater (on the shores
of the marine protected area).
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