Four-Day Hike
The Chokka trail is a 4-day event that covers 58 km in the areas of St Francis Bay, Oyster Bay, Cape St Francis and Port St Francis. Some of the gems you’ll discover while completing the trail is ancient Khoisan fish traps, shell middens, southern right whales, otters and bushbuck, a sand sea, tidal river and unique fynbos species.
The start and finish of the trail is at St Francis Links, a golf course on the outskirts of St Francis Bay. Hikers can leave their vehicles in the safety of the estate for the duration of the hike.
The first day includes a warm-up walk between Oyster Bay and Thyspunt, a circle route of 14 km. You will be able to see ancient fish traps during low tide, pass an unmarked grave and if you are lucky, schools of dolphins will follow you all the way.
Day 2 is usually the longest walk at around 18 km, as the conditions on the day will set the challenge. You may find signs of bushbuck, porcupine and puff adder as you hike passed the Sand River. You’ll stay the night in Cape St Francis. The third day takes you past the rocky shoreline and many footpaths, jeep track and shell beaches until you reach Cape St Francis again.
At Cape St Francis you might want to visit the SANCCOB Penguin Rehabilitation Centre or the lighthouse, as well as Port St Francis, a privately owned working harbour. After sightseeing you can tackle the last leg of the day, the Two Harbours Walk to the Granny’s Pool, from where you can take a ride through the St Francis canals, enjoy the tranquil beauty of your surroundings. Day 4 starts with a short canal cruise to The Cove, from where you will follow the Kromme and Sand Rivers into the St Francis Links. There you will be guided through various secret hiking trails inside the Links. The finish is about 10 km away, and you’ll end the hike where you started. Success!