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South Africa🇿🇦 | hikesWild Coast Hiking TrailCoffee Bay start, Hole in the Wall, Mapuzi sea cave, Xhosa homestays | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Wild Coast Hiking Trail
🌟 Highlighthike ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The decision is whether to hike the full route with a guide-free, self-organized plan or to walk a few days between Coffee Bay and Hole in the Wall, and your tolerance for river crossings tips it either way. Wild Coast Hiking Trail runs along the Eastern Cape coast of South Africa, roughly northeast of East London, with the best-known stretch around Coffee Bay. I stepped off the minibus at Coffee Bay, and the first thing I noticed was goats crossing the sandy road while a drumbeat drifted from a hostel bar. Green hills drop to rocky coves, with round huts dotted on the slopes, and you get that view on every ridge. Skip the long road stretches near towns. Walk the cliffs and beaches instead. Distances are moderate but tides and rivers need planning. Minibus taxis reach the start, though slowly. A first day could be Coffee Bay to Hole in the Wall, ending with a swim.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 South Africa Travel Guide.
Best time to go: April - December
Duration: 4 days
Distance: 60 kilometers
Total ascent: 1500 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 hike in South AfricaThe unique appeal for travelers

Wild Coast Hiking Trail pulls backpackers because the scenery arrives in a steady run of Hole in the Wall, empty beaches and grassy headlands, without a single permit queue. You can walk for a morning or stretch it to a week, since hostels in Coffee Bay and villages along the way let you split the route wherever your legs say stop. The Xhosa villages beside the path give it a human texture few national park trails have: kids wave from hillsides, cows loaf on the sand, and you often share the track with people simply going home. It also fits a longer overland trip well, as the Coffee Bay to Hole in the Wall section can be done between Durban and the Garden Route by minibus taxi. Choose it when you want coastline that feels lived in and unmanicured, not a fenced reserve.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Hole in the Wall: The most famous sight on the coast, a huge offshore rock arch the Xhosa call esiKhaleni, the place of sound, because waves boom through the opening. Walk the clifftop for views and swim in the lagoon beside it.
  2. Coffee Bay: The classic trailhead village, with a long sandy beach, surf, and hostels that organize walks. It is a relaxed place to rest before and after the hike.
  3. Mapuzi Cave: A sea cave on the route between Coffee Bay and Hole in the Wall, reached at low tide. Standing inside as the swell rolls in is a good reason to check tide tables.
  4. Shipwreck Beach: A quiet bay along the coast near Coffee Bay, where dunes and rock pools make a good lunch stop away from other hikers.
  5. Village homestays and rondavels: Round thatched huts on green slopes appear along the whole route,
… read more 👉
  1. Hole in the Wall: The most famous sight on the coast, a huge offshore rock arch the Xhosa call esiKhaleni, the place of sound, because waves boom through the opening. Walk the clifftop for views and swim in the lagoon beside it.
  2. Coffee Bay: The classic trailhead village, with a long sandy beach, surf, and hostels that organize walks. It is a relaxed place to rest before and after the hike.
  3. Mapuzi Cave: A sea cave on the route between Coffee Bay and Hole in the Wall, reached at low tide. Standing inside as the swell rolls in is a good reason to check tide tables.
  4. Shipwreck Beach: A quiet bay along the coast near Coffee Bay, where dunes and rock pools make a good lunch stop away from other hikers.
  5. Village homestays and rondavels: Round thatched huts on green slopes appear along the whole route, and overnighting in a village gives you home-cooked meals and a real sense of Xhosa rural life.
Start with Hole in the Wall, walked from Coffee Bay, because the arch is the payoff that makes the rest of the route make sense.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Autumn (March to May): Clear skies, humidity easing and daytime highs of 22 to 26°C (72 to 79°F) make this the most comfortable stretch for carrying a pack. Rivers run lower and the ocean is still swimmable.
  • Winter (June to August): Dry, sunny and quiet, with days of 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F) and nights near 8 to 12°C (46 to 54°F). Daylight lasts roughly ten hours, so plan shorter stages. Prices stay at their lowest.
  • Spring (September to November): Warming days of 21 to 25°C (70 to 77°F), wildflowers on the headlands and fewer people than summer. Rain starts building late in the season.
  • Summer (December to February): Hot and sticky at 26 to 30°C (79 to 86°F), with afternoon thunderstorms that swell river mouths. Daylight runs about fourteen hours. School holidays fill huts and push up lodging prices,
… read more 👉
  • Autumn (March to May): Clear skies, humidity easing and daytime highs of 22 to 26°C (72 to 79°F) make this the most comfortable stretch for carrying a pack. Rivers run lower and the ocean is still swimmable.
  • Winter (June to August): Dry, sunny and quiet, with days of 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F) and nights near 8 to 12°C (46 to 54°F). Daylight lasts roughly ten hours, so plan shorter stages. Prices stay at their lowest.
  • Spring (September to November): Warming days of 21 to 25°C (70 to 77°F), wildflowers on the headlands and fewer people than summer. Rain starts building late in the season.
  • Summer (December to February): Hot and sticky at 26 to 30°C (79 to 86°F), with afternoon thunderstorms that swell river mouths. Daylight runs about fourteen hours. School holidays fill huts and push up lodging prices, especially around Christmas and New Year.
Time your tide tables first, since several river mouths are only crossable at low tide.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: good for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

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🥾 Hike detailsKey facts about the Wild Coast Hiking Trail hike

Total Distance: Wild Coast Hiking Trail is flexible. The popular Coffee Bay to Hole in the Wall section is about 9 kilometers one way, and longer multi-day versions along the coast reach 50 to 100 kilometers.
Duration: The short section takes 3 to 4 hours. Multi-day routes run 4 to 7 days.
Difficulty: Moderate. Climbs are short but frequent, and river mouths and tides can change plans.
Starting Point: Coffee Bay, reached by minibus taxi from Mthatha. Many hostels also arrange transfers and return rides.
Major Landmarks:
  • Coffee Bay: Beach village and trailhead.
  • Mapuzi Cave: Low-tide sea cave.
  • Hole in
… read more 👉
Total Distance: Wild Coast Hiking Trail is flexible. The popular Coffee Bay to Hole in the Wall section is about 9 kilometers one way, and longer multi-day versions along the coast reach 50 to 100 kilometers.
Duration: The short section takes 3 to 4 hours. Multi-day routes run 4 to 7 days.
Difficulty: Moderate. Climbs are short but frequent, and river mouths and tides can change plans.
Starting Point: Coffee Bay, reached by minibus taxi from Mthatha. Many hostels also arrange transfers and return rides.
Major Landmarks:
  • Coffee Bay: Beach village and trailhead.
  • Mapuzi Cave: Low-tide sea cave.
  • Hole in the Wall: Rock arch with a lagoon.
Terrain and Scenery: Grassy headlands, cliff paths, sand and rocky shore, with views of rondavel villages on the hills.
Vegetation: Coastal grassland, patches of forest in the valleys, and dune scrub.
Wildlife: Cattle and goats are common. Birdlife includes sunbirds and sea birds, and you may see dolphins or whales offshore in season.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

The biggest hazards on the Wild Coast Hiking Trail are tides and river mouths, not wildlife. Many crossings can only be waded or paddled around low tide, so check the tide table each evening and plan the next day’s start around it. Rivers swell fast after summer storms, and if a mouth looks deep or dirty, wait for the tide to drop rather than gambling. Footing is a mix of sand, slippery rock platforms and steep grassy climbs, so wear broken-in boots and keep your pack light, with dry bags for everything. Sun and humidity drain you quickly, and fresh water is not available at every stop, so carry enough for the stretch. Petty theft from unattended gear has been reported, so keep valuables close and use reputable local operators or community-run lodges. Mobile coverage is patchy, so tell someone … read more 👉
The biggest hazards on the Wild Coast Hiking Trail are tides and river mouths, not wildlife. Many crossings can only be waded or paddled around low tide, so check the tide table each evening and plan the next day’s start around it. Rivers swell fast after summer storms, and if a mouth looks deep or dirty, wait for the tide to drop rather than gambling. Footing is a mix of sand, slippery rock platforms and steep grassy climbs, so wear broken-in boots and keep your pack light, with dry bags for everything. Sun and humidity drain you quickly, and fresh water is not available at every stop, so carry enough for the stretch. Petty theft from unattended gear has been reported, so keep valuables close and use reputable local operators or community-run lodges. Mobile coverage is patchy, so tell someone your itinerary. Respect village land, close gates and ask before photographing people.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Wild Coast Hiking Trail

Most hikers need 5 to 7 days to walk the main section of the Wild Coast Hiking Trail between the Mtamvuna and Kei areas, covering roughly 15 to 20 km a day. Shorter guided sections of 2 to 4 days exist around Coffee Bay and Hluleka. Allow an extra day for tides and weather.
The Wild Coast Hiking Trail is moderate, with no technical climbing but constant ups and downs of 300 to 500 meters on grassy headlands. The harder parts are carrying 10 to 15 kg, timing river mouths with the tide and the heat in summer. Reasonable fitness and good boots are enough, and beginners can manage shorter 2 to 3 day sections.
On the Wild Coast Hiking Trail you do not need a permit for most community stretches, but a local guide is strongly recommended for navigation, tides and river crossings. Guides typically cost about US$20 to 35 a day, and many hostels in Coffee Bay and Port St Johns can arrange one. Nature reserve sections such as Hluleka charge small entry or accommodation fees, so book ahead.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other South African hikes near Wild Coast Hiking Trail

Explore more nearby:

  • Giant’s Cup Trail—Sandstone terraces, Little Berg, San rock art, cold streams| 210 km away
  • Amathole Trail—Six-day hut route, Hogsback peaks, yellowwood forest, Gaika’s Kop| 245 km away
  • Drakensberg—Chain ladders, Tugela Falls, Amphitheatre plateau, 13 km return| 421 km away

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Wild Coast Hiking Trail suits people who like walking between villages and beaches more than ticking off summits. If you want wilderness silence, the busier Coffee Bay stretch may disappoint. I would hire a local guide for the first day and pack a dry bag.

✈️ When did I visit South Africa?
I have visited South Africa, before and after my Zimbabwe trip in 2001.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in South Africa, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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