In aim to raise money for the Paternoster Children’s Fund this fun walk along the coastline takes place prior to the Paternoster Heritage Festival (24 September 2010).

Join the “Trek to Paternoster” for 6 days (or part of it 18. – 23 September 2010) and make this incredible journey of walking approx. 130 km along the beach from Elandsbaai to Paternoster an unforgettable experience in your life. After last year’s successful walk, the local Paternoster Village Tourism Vice-Chairperson and organiser Sandelé Wilkinson (083 211 1400) is challenging the amount of last year donations. Her vision is not to have only local walkers but also to have visitors from up country to be part of this event. As this fun walk is for charity, it is expected of each participant to donate a minimum of R 50/day to the Paternoster Children’s Fund.

Registration forms can be obtained at info@paternoster.info or sandele@mweb.co.za .

Walking this far along the beach is an experience, and not for the faint hearted. Yet, it is still doable and worthwhile. Walk at your own pass, stop and rest often. The enjoyment of the environment is most important.

The walking distance per day is approximately 20km, a comfortable approx 6 hour walk. Stay in Paternoster for the full period or for parts along the coast with a big choice of accommodation available. Lift clubs can be organized amongst the participants.

Click here to download the Indemnity Form.

What can you expect?

Day 1 Saturday 18 September

Bobbejaanskop to Draaihoek Lodge

7:30 start from Bobbejaanskop, South side of Elandsbaai

High dunes, narrow steep beach, every so often we walk on the dirt road along the dunes, or next to the railway track and through a farm yard with beautiful flowers. Find the trademark table and chairs on the dune at Draaihoek Lodge, settle down, and relax with refreshments, stay over if you please.

Day 2 Sunday 19 September

Draahoek Lodge to Dwarskersbos

7:30 start from Draaihoek Lodge

Over the dune and on our way, past the Roscher pan nature reserve, coastal birds, find washed up treasures on the beach from passing ships, a variety of ropes in different colors, floating buoys lost, dolphins or shells. Finish for the day at the quant holiday town of Dwarskersbos. Relax, lunch and depart to overnight accommodation.

Day 3 Monday 20 September

Dwarskersbos to Laaiplek Hotel (North side of the Berg River)

7:30 start the walk from Darskersbos, coffee break at Soverby Lapa, long isolated beach to the interesting town of Laaiplek and have authentic fresh fish and chips in the Laaiplek harbor, relax and depart to overnight accommodation.

Day 4 Tuesday 21 September

Laaiplek (other side of river) to St Helena Bay Hotel

7:30 Leave from a specific point at Flamink vlei on the other side of the Breede River. Long, long beach walk, past Langville town, lots of driftwood, green sea grass and boulders to get over, interesting hooped bays. See the long town of St Helena Bay from a different angle, past old fish factories, old jetties, rocks to get over, and interesting sea and bird life.

Day 5 Wednesday 22 September

St Helena Bay Hotel to Britania Bay Slipway

7:30 Leave from the St Helena Bay Hotel for an interesting St Helena Bay experience, walk past the suburb of Hannesbay and old abandoned factories. Passing the Harbour, climb over rocks, going along the main road to Vasco de Gama monument. Pick up load of washed up unbroken sea urchin shells which is a rare find. Strolling past the Shelley Point light house, and a last stretch over to Brittania Bay Slipway, relax and depart to overnight accommodation.

Day 6 Thursday 23 Sepember

Britania Bay Slipway to Voorstrandt Restaurant in Paternoster

7:30, the last stretch, from Brittania Bay Slip way to Paternoster. Walk along a few small beaches on banks of compacted shells, past the St Martin’s light house, along Groot Paternoster Nature Reserve with its eco friendly stone houses on the dunes, the monument for the 6 missing at sea fisherman high on a rock, past 2nd Mosselbank, the rows and rows of white fisherman’s houses in the distance, the last trek to Paternoster. Arrive at the Voorstrandt restaurant, celebrate, relax, recover and join us for the Paternoster Heritage Festival on Friday 24 September

What to take along:

Back pack, snacks, water, sunscreen, hat, snacks, plastic bags for all the treasures, plaster. Please note that walk is at own risk.