Hermanus Camino

Hermanus Camino

Time to take a long, meaningful journey on foot.

You’ve probably heard of the Camino de Santiago, the most famous pilgrimage route in the world. Once you start looking into this concept of “Walking Your Way”, you discover caminos all over the world (Australia has recently launched its own).

South Africa has a dozen or so, mostly in the Western Cape – which opens the door to some remarkable routes and experiences. From the Winelands, West Coast and Cederberg to the Overberg, Karoo and Garden Route, these caminos truly do take “the road less travelled”. On foot, you will gain access to remarkable landscapes, at a pace that allows you to soak up the details. This is not an adrenaline-pumping, scale-the-highest-peaks style of hiking. It’s a meditative meander designed to make you think about life.

Make no mistake, it will stretch you physically. A camino is a roller-coaster ride on foot that will take you, both mentally and physically, from the lowest valleys to the highest highs. You never know who you might meet on your journey, but it has a way of turning all those clichéd philosophical and spiritual sayings into something real.

No longer purely religious, caminos offer different things to different people – be it a lovely walking holiday, a journey of introspection or inspiration, a chance to reconnect and “unplug” with loved ones, or a deliberately spiritual path. For everyone, though, it will be a deep immersion in nature and an experience of community.

A few notes about walking a camino:

• You need to be reasonably fit, able to walk around 16km a day for several days, but you can take it slowly at your own pace. Some caminos are tougher, with longer distances, and not for beginners.
• A walking stick is not just an iconic camino prop, but often a necessity for negotiating rocky or slippery downhill paths. Some organisers sell wooden walking sticks made in local communities.
• A camino is open to single walkers, couples, families and groups; ages range from teens to pensioners. Some caminos start on specific days or dates (you can join an existing group or book a slot exclusively for your own group); others are open-ended and start whenever you’re ready to go.
• Pack a small first-aid kit to treat blisters, especially if you’re doing a self-guided camino. A magnesium supplement helps to alleviate sore muscles and minimise cramps. Don’t forget the sunscreen and insect repellent.
• Dress in layers. A rain jacket or poncho is invaluable. A camino continues whatever the weather.

Hermanus Camino

Duration 6 days, 5 nights, 73km
Group size 12 max
This Overberg camino starts in heaven – walking through the vineyards of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley – before heading up and down fynbos-clad mountain slopes, through the countryside of Stanford and beside the Klein River, along the pristine beach of Walker Bay Nature Reserve and ending on the famous Cliff Path of Hermanus. Along the way you’ll encounter historic sites, a cave with ancient rock art, rock pools and fantastic views. The shortest stretch is 12km and the longest is 18km.
Lodgings Comfortable cottages with all meals, drinks and snacks provided, including special coffee stops, braais and cheese & charcuterie platters. From the first night at bucolic High Season Farm, the overnight stops include Glen Oakes Farm (home to pasture-reared pigs and Dexter cows), Klein Watervalplaas (home to alpacas and many other farm animals), Phillipskop Mountain Reserve and an old stone house at Wortelgat, on the edge of the Klein River lagoon.
Special features

• boat cruise on the Klein River
• 2 wine tastings, at Ataraxia and Stanford Hills
• farewell lunch at Burgundy Restaurant

Good to know This is a guided walk with luggage transfers. The fynbos and whale sightings are best in winter and spring.
Alternative route The new Walk the Bay option (4 days, 3 nights, 33km) is a flatter, shoreline and riverside adventure, starting from Kraal Rock on the Cliff Path, heading along the beaches and Klein River lagoon, with a visit to the ancient Klipgat Caves and ending in Stanford, with lodgings at The Blue House and Wortelgat.
When Hermanus Camino: Sunday – Friday; Monday – Saturday; Tuesday – Sunday
Walk The Bay: Thursday – Sunday
All year except July, December and Easter school holidays
Cost Hermanus Camino: From R11 500 per person sharing
Walk the Bay: From R6 900 per person sharing
30% single supplement for non-sharing room
Contact 083 326 2598, 083 677 2171, info@hermanuscamino.com