Route 4:

Wild West Coast

ROUTE 4

Wild West Coast

Walk the edge when life is changing. Coastal, wild routes shaped by wind, tide, and wide horizons. This route can offer solitude with the shoreline.
Package Duration Cost
Camino Plus 5 Days R11,000

Prices are Per Person Sharing
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PHOTOS

Gallery

DAILY PLANNER

Itinerary

And we hit the shoreline! So check your tides.

Elands Bay is the start of this route. You will stay at the Elands Bay Guesthouse with Paul and Audrey. Arrive after 4pm and before dark. 

Elands Bay Guesthouse

Paul and Audrey Jones send you off from Elands Bay. Paul is a passionate surfer and local builder. He makes sure you know where you’re going, what your capacity is and looks out for you along the way, incase you find the long pristine beach stretch too tiring. There is very little access so wild life is more prevalent. Turtle tracks have even been spotted as these great migrating beasts climb up the beach to rest. Birds, seals, dolphins and even whales can be spotted along this stretch. Draaihoek is a European owned guest farm run by local South Africans – the family come to the beach over Christmas and the guest farm is reserved for the family and their friends and is not available to the public for a month. They have created Camino style accommodation for Cape Camino walkers – simple, clean and safe and the food is great.

Draaihoek Guest farm

The next day you need to walk some distance off the beach and into the dunes, a tough sandy trek, to reach Arend Louw and his pet bull, Fillet. It is a warm and wonderful experience and you won’t want to leave. Arend is a well-known artist in the area.

Arend Louw's

Today the beach sand becomes harder and the houses become a settlement as you walk into Dwarskersbos. Meloney comes up from Cape Town to host pilgrims in their beach house. A testimony to the type of commitment Cape Camino hosts have towards making it as comfortable as possible for those on their journeys.

Meloney's Beach House

Back to the beach, which is now hard and shelly. Holiday homes take you all the way into Laaiplek. Ammie and Debbie fold you up and treat you to great food in their open and comfortable home, and you instantly become friends. They love the Camino concept and it shows.

Amy & Debbie's

Today Ammie shows you around the harbour and walks you to the famous Bokkom Laan for coffee on the riverside where Route 4 ends. A perfect pick up point for luggage and a lift home.
Bokkom Laan is an historical street, famous for bokkoms- a traditional West Coast delicacy made from salted, air-dried mullet. It is one of the oldest streets in Velddrift and has long been central to the local fishing and bokkom-drying trade.

The Berg River was once called Santiago, linked to the area by early Portuguese explorers.

SEASONAL NOTES

When To Go

Open from late January – early December
Tidal times are essential. This route is not enjoyable and somewhat dangerous if you don’t check the tides.

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FAQ's

A coastal route for walkers who love ocean air, open horizons, and elemental landscapes – with raw beach walking, working fishing communities, an artist’s escape, and the tradition of bokkoms dried fish.
There are limited opportunities to purchase food or drinks on the Wild West Coast route. There is one deli in Dwarskersbos, with additional shops available in Laaiplek.
We recommend arranging transport with Theresa or Shawn, who are familiar with the Cape Camino routes and hosts. Their contact details are available on the Preparation Page under the Transport section, ensuring a smooth and reliable start to your Camino.
Yes. The Wild West Coast route follows established coastal paths and communities where the Camino is well known and supported by local hosts. As with all Cape Camino routes, it has been shaped in collaboration with the people who live along it, creating a considered and supported walking experience.

This route can be physically demanding due to long distances walked on sand, which increases effort and fatigue. A good level of walking fitness is recommended to enjoy the coastal terrain comfortably.

Pilgrim Voices

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