ROUTE

DAY 1 : STRANDFONTEIN ? PAPENDORP ? OLIFANTS RIVER ? STRANDFONTEIN

±35 km | Coastal, River, Wetlands, Flowers, Cliffs

Day 1 launches from the old heart of Strandfontein, where the sunrise spills over the Atlantic and the village slowly wakes. The route heads out along gravel roads and old sheep paths, carrying you through rolling dunes, fynbos, and wideopen West Coast skies on the way to the quiet, magical village of Papendorp.

Walking through Papendorp feels like stepping into a forgotten world, sandy lanes, river air, and a stillness shaped by generations of fishing families. At the labyrinth turn, the route bends right through a farm gate and onto private farmland, a rare privilege reserved for this event. For nearly 6 km, you cross land few ever see, surrounded by bursts of wildflowers during the spring season.

From here, the terrain shifts as you drop toward the Olifants River. This is where all settles in and the challenge becomes real. The route pushes through mudbanks, sandbanks, and the floodplain salt marshes, with reeds scattered along the riverbanks and birdlife erupting from hidden channels. The river widens into a shimmering, hazed expanse as you move toward the dramatic Olifants River mouth, where river and ocean collide.

The return to Strandfontein depends on the weather and tides:

• battle the infamous swaar sand, a demanding stretch of soft beach, or

• climb onto the rugged cliff path with sweeping Atlantic views

Both routes deliver their own kind of magic.

The final push takes you past the NSRI station and up the last hill into Strandfontein, finishing Day 1 at the Perdeskoen Campsite — tired, tested, and triumphant.

DAY 2 – STRANDFONTEIN ? SISHEN TRAIN GRAVEL ROAD ? DORINGBAAI ? RETURN VIA THE CLIFFS

±26 km | Gravel Roads, Beaches, Coves, Cliffs

Day 2 begins once again in Strandfontein, with participants heading out along the gravel road that runs beside the Sishen railway line. This long, open stretch captures the raw beauty of the West Coast — wide skies, rugged terrain, and the rhythmic presence of the railway.

The gravel road leads all the way toward Doringbaai, where the route drops onto the beach. The ocean becomes your companion as you walk northward toward the harbour, passing the iconic Fryer’s Cove area.

After reaching Doringbaai, the route turns back toward Strandfontein, but this time along the dramatic cliff paths that define the coastline. This section is unforgettable:

• towering cliffs

• hidden coves

• crashing waves

• panoramic ocean views

You will also witness the old mining scars carved into the coastline, a stark reminder of the region’s history and the importance of protecting this fragile environment.

The final kilometres follow the cliff path back into Strandfontein, where Day 2 ends at the Perdeskoen Campsite, completing the full Edge of Africa experience