There are natural attractions of varying scales to choose from around Alexandria. The Alexandria Hiking Trail passes through forest and coastal dunes and runs along the coast; the Woody Cape Tree Dassie Trail winds through Alexandria Forest. The vast Alexandria dune field is another option. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between the routes by length and landscape focus, while the dune field offers a different perspective on the surrounding area.

The Alexandria Hiking Trail

The Alexandria Hiking Trail is a 36 km circular route and a two-day hike. It passes through forest and coastal dunes and runs along the coast, bringing several types of landscape together in one hike. The distance and duration offer two different points of reference for planning: the number of kilometres describes the length of the circular route, while the two days indicate the timeframe for the hike. Accommodation options are available for two or three nights. When planning your whole trip, consider the number of nights in addition to the hiking days; these figures relate to different aspects of your plans.

At the end of the first day of hiking is Woody Cape Hut. From there, you can enjoy views of the sea and Bird Island. The hut is a specific point of reference in the day’s itinerary: it marks the end of the first day’s hike and adds a named coastal viewpoint to the route.

Forest and coast in Addo Elephant National Park

The 7 km Woody Cape Tree Dassie Trail runs through Alexandria Forest in the coastal section of Addo Elephant National Park. At 7 km, it is considerably shorter than the 36 km Alexandria Hiking Trail. While the longer circular route passes through forest and coastal dunes and runs along the coast, the Tree Dassie Trail focuses on the forest in the coastal section. This comparison can help you choose based on distance and landscape focus. Before your trip, check the current availability of the Woody Cape Tree Dassie Trail with the park.

The Alexandria dune field

The Alexandria dune field covers about 15,800 ha, extends for more than 80 km and is up to 5 km wide in places. These three measurements convey different dimensions of the same landscape: an approximate area, a length of more than 80 km and a width that reaches its maximum only in some places. The dune field is therefore on a different scale from the hiking trails. If you are choosing places to visit based on nature and landscapes, you can consider it a distinct, large-scale focus alongside the routes.

Choosing between nature experiences

When planning your trip, you can first decide whether you want a multi-day hike to be part of your stay or whether you prefer the shorter trail through the coastal forest. The Alexandria Hiking Trail combines a circular route with several types of landscape and a two-day hike; the Tree Dassie Trail covers a different distance. The dune field adds a wide-ranging landscape perspective to these options. This lets you weigh the nature experiences according to your timeframe and personal interests in the landscape.

Discover more destinations: Paterson, Graaff-Reinet, The Haven, St Francis Bay, Jeffrey's Bay, Grahamstown, Oyster Bay, Weston

For the regional travel overview: Western District.