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The Hush

‘The Hush’…some places have it, and others don’t. De Hoop Nature Reserve definitely has it and rates as one of those wilderness areas where a clear headspace will come and find you. 

Windswept dunes, rollicking mountain biking tracks, clifftop hiking trails, spreading trees rooted deep within the Southern tip of Africa and, of course, a mesmerising blue swathe of shimmering sea.

Prime Hiking Destination

De Hoop is at an impressive 34,000 ha – one of the most extensive conservation areas under the stewardship of CapeNature. In addition, this swathe of undulating coastal fynbos extends as a marine reserve for a further 5 km into the roil of the Indian Ocean, primarily to safeguard what is one of the subcontinent’s most prominent whale-calving sites, but also to protect the vast and fascinating marine diversity here.

De Hoop, unquestionably, rates as one of the Western Cape’s prime hiking destinations, with the Whale Trail offering an unparalleled coastal and mountain hiking experience. Spectacular views and great whale watching make this five-day trail an undisputed bucket list experience. There are also great day walks to be had.

Hiking the Whale Trail

The spectacular Whale Trail in De Hoop Nature Reserve stretches over 55 km from Potberg to Koppie Alleen and includes five overnight stops. The trail offers the opportunity to explore the wondrous natural diversity of the Overberg coast. Hikers can marvel at the varied fynbos while looking for members of the last remaining vulture colony in the Western Cape, numerous other bird species and small antelope. In the winter, there’s the added bonus of southern right whales which throng the bays and shallows.

Treasures of De Hoop

The De Hoop Reserve is favoured by mountain bikers, who come here to lose themselves along the endless back roads, and birders, who delight in a diverse species list encompassing everything from pelagic and wetland lifers to arid fynbos. It is to the ocean that most visitors flock, in order to gape at the gargantuan southern right whales breaching and crashing in the waves. The real treasures of this World Heritage Site are secreted in less obvious spaces and places.

Crested Woodpeckers nest in the hollowed-out branches of gnarled milkwood trees; industrious dung beetles doggedly roll great balls to wherever it is that they keep their precious erm…stuff. Pelicans laboriously take to the air to soar flamboyantly like huge airships upon spiralling air currents; eland gather in great herds to go galumphing across monochromatic fynbos plains and Cape Clawless Otters perform a mercurial aqua-ballet upon the endless vlei.

Complete Outdoor Experience

In this wide-sky space you will also find the Fig Tree Restaurant and, unlike most park eateries, this one is a culinary gem featuring fabulous food and superb wines. De Hoop Nature Reserve was originally proclaimed to preserve a series of freshwater vleis on the Southern Cape Coast.

These diverse intertidal zones are some of the largest remaining expanses of indigenous lowland/coastal fynbos, and make for a fascinating ecosystem mix. As such, the reserve offers a complete outdoor experience with the sea, pristine sand dunes, the vlei, many varieties of rare fynbos, antelope species, great birding opportunities, several types of animals, hiking, snorkelling, riding your bike, or just lazing around.

By Jacques Marais