Fisherhaven Travellers Lodge
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Fisherhaven Travellers Lodge,a 4 star establishment, graded annually by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa would like to welcome and offer you the opportunity of taking that “well-deserved- break -away”.
There are various affordable room options available to accommodate your holiday requirements. Breakfast is available on request or you can prepare your own meals in the fully equipped guest kitchen or use the indoor barbeque facility in the poolroom.
Come and experience the peace, tranquility and beauty of the surrounds. Fisherhaven is the proud home of a herd of Rooisand wild horses, the only wild, wetland, feral horses in South Africa.
We are ideally situated on the Whale Coast route enabling you the opportunity to explore different towns in the Overberg of interest including; Bot River, Kleinmond, Bettys Bay, Hermanus, Stanford and Gansbaai to mention a few, all of which offer various exciting activities such as: golfing,shark cage diving, whale watching, hiking, mountain biking,fishing, kayaking , power boating, sailing,body surfing, wind surfing,kite surfing, horse riding, wine/ beer tasting,abseiling,quad biking and bird watching. Closer to home, the Bot River Lagoon is a mere 2km from the Lodge where you can enjoy hours of water, sand and fun in the sun.
Casual walk from Grotto Beach to Sopiesklip
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Sopiesklip, a tourist attraction for visitors to Hermanus who enjoy exploring.
Curiosity got the better of us after hearing stories of a hollow in a rock with a carved doorway.
We parked our car, kicked off the shoes and began our walk along the sandy beach at Grotto beach.
Watching the birds flying above and frolicking in the waves as they washed the shore kept me mesmerized for most of the walk except for the few times I stopped to pick up an extraordinary shaped stone or shell.
The entire trip there and back took us approximately 3 hours.
The next time I do this trip along the beach, I will be wearing a comfortable pair of walking shoes and bringing along a ruck sack with water or juice.☺
Some of the interesting stories that happened here through the ages;
Sopiesklip was the halfway point along the coast for Gansbaaiers en route to Hermanus and it may have earned it’s name as the ideal place to rest and have something to drink ( ‘n sopie whisky’) before moving on. The soft beach sand must have made it a tiring and tough journey with the ox wagons. “In the footsteps of Lady Ann Barnard” written by Jose Burman
It has also been told that, “in the old days”, when the boats were still manned by rowing teams and sails, the strong winds and current would push the fishing boats into the middle of Walker bay and they would wash up at Sopiesklip. Through the years the fishermen carved this hollow in the rock and stored glass bottles of brandy with ropes attached in the cave. A place to shelter from the cold wind, waves and have a nip of brandy to keep warm.
Mr Brian Macfarland( Senior) also has a story about an old German called Otto, a recluse, who used to go fishing on a thick – wheel bicycle. He got tired of going up to the rock outcrop and back to Hermanus so he stayed in the cave house which he named, “Die Paradys”
Oyster catchers and Kelp Gulls 
Rocky outcrop
Beautiful rock formations…….natural artwork on the sand.
I made it!
There are a number of hiking trails starting in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve varying in time, distance and difficulty.
There are Day Hikes:
Perdeberg Trail which is classified as moderate to long, 22 km, approximately 7 – 8 hours.
Palmiet River Walk which is classified as easy, 10 km, easy, 3 hours.
Oudebosch – Leopard’s Gorge which is classified as moderate, 3 – 4 hours.
Kogelberg Trail which is classified as moderate to long, 24km, 8 hours.
Three Sisters which is classified as moderate , 8km, 4 hours.
Other Trails:
Houwhoek Trail which is classified as moderate, 8km, 3 hours.
Rooisand Ramble which is classified as easy, 5km, 2 hours.
Hangklip/Brodie Link which is classified as easy, 3km, 1 – 2 hours.
Enquiries: Reservations:
Tel: 028 271 5138 227 362 8873
There is an opportunity while the Bot River Lagoon mouth is closed for those who would like to go on a leisurely scenic hike along the beach from the Botriver Lagoon to Kleinmond.
This is an easy, 7km walk.
section of map from Cape Nature ‘Kogelberg Nature Reserve Pamphlet’
Below are some photos of our last trip:
Bot River Lagoon with Kogelberg mountain in the background
Looking back to see Hawston in the background.
Kleinmond up ahead
Zooming in on what’s ahead
Finally here ….ending the hike with something to eat and drink at the restaurant up ahead,
Sandown Blues Restaurant and Cocktail Bar
The Fernkloof Nature Reserve covers approximately 1800 hectares. One minute you’re walking through a forest scene the next you’re climbing up rocky cliffs. There are 60km of scenic walking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, which includes the cliff path along the coastal strip bordering the town of Hermanus.
There is an overnight hut on Galpin Peak for those keen hikers that want to experience everything the Nature Reserve has to offer.
There are four principal circular trails which are colour- coded as Blue, Red, Green, and Orange routes.These are clearly indicated by signboards and paint marks.
The Fernkloof Nature Visitors’ Centre.
Here you will find the hikers’ map showing all the official trails in the reserve providing route descriptions with distances and time estimates for the four principal routes. ( The Hermanus Botanical Society commissioned the map which welcomes visitors and new members.)
There is also a beautiful display of named fynbos flower specimens and posters illustrating features of the fynbos.
Flora
According to the information provided the fynbos is one of the most diverse yet distinctive floras in the world, characterised by evergreen heaths and shrubs, and noted for the Proteas.
It has been recorded that six of the seven endemic plant families and over 1600 species of the Cape Floral Kingdom are represented here.
Here are some beauties we encountered on our walk 21 May 2015
Here are a few examples of our adventure following the Orange Route
This is a moderately arduous walk with some steep sections and magnificient views of the bay and the Hemel en Aarde valley.
Dress comfortably as you are sure to experience cool and warm conditions, including good walking shoes, hat and sun screen.
Remember your bottled water to stay hydrated!
ENJOY
Ready for a memorable walk ?
This is a worthwhile activity for all you nature lovers to add to your list of things to do on your trip into Hermanus.
The cliff path traces the coastline through spectacular, breath taking sea views through diverse fynbos vegetation and you will have the pleasant chance of encountering the coastal mammals and birds that occur along the Cliff path.
Cape Robin Chat
Cape BulBul
Red- faced Mousebird
If you are planning to visit between June and December the whales will be waiting to greet you with a wave of a tail or a blast of air.
Southern Right Whale
Slap on the sun screen, put on a hat and comfortable walking shoes, a pair of binoculars, pack refreshments in your sling bag and come walk the Cliff path. Although the path is patrolled by security it is best not to walk alone or carry valuables with you. Be alert.
Below are a few scenes from our last trip with friends in June 2014
Kelp Gull
Oyster Catcher
Be sure to ask for this beautiful pamphlet , ‘Hermanus Cliff Path’ at the Info Centre as it contains all the information you will need to plan your trip and more. The path can be accessed from different places so you can determine the length of your walk.
Another trip with family in July 2015
Whale watching boat on its way out to find the whales. 
Beautiful rock formations…
which these beautiful rock rabbits call home.
Memorial benches can be found along the way should you need to rest and enjoy the view.
