The Shipwreck Trail

Although there are shipwreck sites all around the Peninsula, this stretch of rocky coastline and beach probably has the most concentrated stretch with at least ten identified sites ranging from the Holland in 1786 to the Nolloth in 1965. There were almost certainly wrecks here before 1786 and new sites may well be identified in the future. Most of these wrecks have long disappeared under the sea, but the remains of the Nolloth (1965) and the Thomas Tucker (1942) can still be identified with the Thomas Tucker being the most prominent.

The trail starts from the Olifantsbos Bay parking area on the north western coastline of the Peninsula.

What you can expect:

We turn right after entering the Nature Reserve, on to the Olifantsbos Rd for a drive of about 15 to 20 minutes to the start. The start of the trail is well signposted and we walk on a sandy path, through a stretch of low bushes to the rock coastline. As you reach the sandier section between the shore and the path, there are some rocky patches before you reach the wide beach in front of the Olifantsbos Cottage. From here it is all along the sandy beach past the wrecks, a little under 3 km from the parking area. At this stage we turn inland and climb up to a low ridge where the circular route heads back to the car park, just over 2.5 km. Underfoot the path is firm and clear with a few rock bands and uneven stony surface in places.

There is an option of following a much longer loop to Sirkulsvlei – a natural, perennial wetland – and then back, eventually linking with the shorter loop not far from the end. This loop is a total of 6 km further.

Timing: It takes about an hour and a half to drive from the City to start of the hike at Olifantsbos. On this route we will usually visit Cape Point after completing the hike. We usually allow an hour to walk up to the viewing point at the Cape Point Lighthouse, before driving back to the gate, although this can also be done before the trail. There is also the obligatory visit to the Cape of Good Hope itself, a short detour from the main road. Collection from accommodation in the city is usually early, although there is some flexibility.

The hike usually takes between two and three hours and can be extended considerably by taking the 6 km loop, extending the hike by another 2 to 2½  at the end. The trail finishes in the parking area where the vehicle has been left.