Chokka Trail
Chokka Trail – 4 days/3 nights, St Francis Bay
The Chokka Trail is a 54km slackpack hike over 4 days and 3 nights in the St Francis Bay area. The trail comes highly recommended since 2012 and has been awarded as the Best Visitors Experience in South Africa for 4 consecutive years.
It is far more than just a hike, as it also includes a canal cruise on the famous St Francis canals, a calamari tasting and if possible, a visit to the Seal Point Lighthouse.
The name
The local squid industry, called chokka, is the heart of St Francis. Fishermen would catch a few chokkas to use as bait, until a visitor from Spain showed his mates in the early 1980’s how to cook it, a delicacy we now know as calamari once on your plate. The industry has grown over the years, and mainly operates from Port St Francis, sustaining many families. We will visit Clive’s Chokka Block at Port St Francis for a calamari tasting and talk.
How does it work?
In true slackpack style you only hike with a small daypack while the support team takes care of the rest. Distances can be shortened if and when needed (for example older hikers or families with young children).
Accommodation
We have two options.
You can stay at the Dune Ridge Country House, The Canal House and the Cape St Francis Resort (Option 1), or just at the Cape St Francis Resort (Option 2, for larger groups or if you don’t want to pack up every day). These unique privately owned overnight points are as diverse as the route, you will start your day with a hearty breakfast, a delicious packed lunch and a cooked meal, while a hot shower and cold beer will be waiting at the end of each day!
Fitness and what do I need?
Whether you are a seasoned hiker or novice, well trained or only “lifestyle fit”, you will enjoy this diverse hike. With that, and the right attitude, you need good hiking shoes, a small comfortable day pack and enough bottles or camel pack for water (at least 2 liters).
Option 1: No restriction to group size
Accommodation: Cape St Francis Resort, 3 nights
Day 4 requires no shuttles, however at the end of day 2 you will be transported back to the Resort, and on day 3 you will be taken to the Kromme River for a river crossing to hike to Jeffreys Bay, as well as a shuttle back from Jeffreys Bay.
Day 1: 14km
Meet your guide at the Dune Ridge Country House by 09h00.
You will hike through coastal thicket, a dune field, fynbos mosaic and the Wild Side into Cape St Francis and back to the Resort. You will see a blowhole, the remains of the HMS Osprey and if available, you can visit the Seal Point Lighthouse.
(You can also opt for an extra night at the Dune Ridge Country House, and we will bring you back to your vehicle at some point.)
Day 2: 15km
After breakfast, you will meet your guide and hike into St Francis Bay through a coastal dune field. After completing the Two Harbours Walk between Port St Francis and the Granny's Pool, we will stop at Bruces Ocean Café for lunch, and then proceed to the St Francis Canals for a canal cruise. You will be transported back to the Resort.
Day 3: 15km
You will be shuttled to the Kromme River for a river crossing and hike to Jeffreys Bay. We will enjoy lunch at Tasty Tables, before you are transported back to the Resort.
Day 4: 5km or 12km
Start your unguided hike at 09h00 to meet us at Port St Francis at 11h, where you will enjoy a short talk on the chokka industry and a calamari board for lunch at Clive's Chokka Block. Hike back to the Resort and depart.
Option 2: Group size 4 – 8.
Availability depends on the respective guesthouses and might not be available during high season.
Accommodation: Dune Ridge Country House, Canal House and Cape St Francis Resort.
You will only be transported to the start of the hike on day 1, and then hike from guesthouse to guesthouse. No further shuttles are required.
Day 1: 14km
We will meet at the Dune Ridge Country House where you can leave your vehicle for the duration of the hike. You will be transported to the start of the hike, as today we hike from Jeffreys Bay to St Francis OR the other way round - weather permitting, which will be communicated to you shortly before the hike. We will have lunch at a local restaurant. Accommodation at the Canal House.
You are welcome to book breakfast or even stay the night before at Dune Ridge Country House (not included in the rate)
Day 2: 15km
After breakfast you will meet your guide for a hike along the streets of the canal area of St Francis Bay, before you tackle the shoreline towards Santareme. After a coffee stop at Bruces Ocean Café (own account) you will continue on the Two Harbours Walk to Port St Francis where we will enjoy a short talk about the chokka industry and a calamari board for lunch. We continue along the shoreline into Cape St Francis. Accommodation at the Cape St Francis Resort.
Day 3: 15km
We meet after breakfast and continue our hike along the shoreline to the Wild Side and Mostertshoek, before we turn away from the coast into coastal thicket, a dunefield and coastal forest to reach Dune Ridge Country House, our overnight point.
Day 4: 12km
After breakfast we will hike the fynbos trails of the St Francis Links, then into St Francis Bay where we will visit the Shipwreck Museum and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. You can hike back to Dune Ridge or we will organise transport. Depart.
Rates
The rate is highly competitive, fully inclusive, you only pay extra for your drinks. All days are guided.
The 2026 rate for 4 days/3 nights is R8 850 pp (sharing) for groups of 4 and more, and for 2 pax R9 850 pp (sharing). Children under 11 is R7 500 (sharing). Single supplements (if available R200 pppn). A levy might be charged for groups smaller than 4.
It would also be possible to opt for a self-catering rate if you are staying at the Cape St Francis Resort only. This option can also be reduced to 3 days, 2 nights. Please email Esti on chokkatrail@gmail.com for rates.
A 50% deposit will confirm your booking. The remainder is payable 4 weeks prior to the hike. If you need to cancel, you will have to find a replacement.
The rate for additional nights before or after the hike will be quoted from the establishment of your choice directly. It is also payable directly to them on checking out (no deposit required).
Contact
Esti Stewart: Whatsapp 073 825 0835, chokkatrail@gmail.com
PS: Also, please note that the route might change as we are in the hands of various landowners. The experience will not be jeopardized, we will make sure about that!