The St Blaize Trail is a spectacular 13.5km coastal walk stretching between Mossel Bay and Dana Bay in South Africa. Moderately challenging, the trail offers breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, fascinating wildlife, and varied terrain. It took us about 5 hours to complete. Alternatively, you can start at the lighthouse in Mossel Bay and turn back whenever you want, making it a 3km, 5km or 10km hike.

There are exit paths along the train, but they are not near busy towns, so we would avoid relying on them.

Official site for the trail

Trail Overview

The trail begins at the cave below the Lighthouse in Mossel Bay and ends at Dana Bay. The entire route is marked with the sign of the Oystercatcher.

Distance: 13.5km
Duration: ~5 hours (although more realistically 6 hours + if you’re stopping at certain points to take in the views / to have lunch at the golf course)
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Starting Point: Cape St Blaize Cave (by Mossel Bay Lighthouse)
End Point: Dana Bay

Highlights Along the Trail

Mossel Bay Lighthouse

The walk begins with an incline up to the lighthouse, offering lovely views of Mossel Bay to set the tone for the hike.

Pinnacle Point Estate (10km)

Around 10km in, you’ll reach Pinnacle Point Estate. It’s private land, so you need to register with the guard as you go in and you’ll spend a good 30-60 mins walking along here.

Pinnacle Point is also home to an archaeological site (Point of Human Origins), which is where the earliest remains of modern humans have been discovered. Nearby, a stairway leads down to a beautiful, secluded beach (Eden Bay)—worth a quick detour off the trail to enjoy the sandy beach views of Eden Bay beach.

Pinnacle Point Golf Course

The trail continues along the edges of the golf course, and you will eventually get to the main clubhouse where you can stop and refresh. We stopped here for lunch and were impressed by the tasty, generously portioned food. Pair this with a refreshing drink and sea views, and it’s a great place to recharge before continuing. Sit inside or enjoy their balcony.

The Tunnel Mosaic Project

From the clubhouse of the golf course, you’ll see the Mosaic Tunnel Project. A vibrant community art initiative that transforms once-neglected public spaces into captivating corridors of color and culture. The project involves creating intricate mosaic designs along the walls of pedestrian tunnels, underpasses, or walkways. Each design often reflects the area’s rich heritage and diverse traditions, featuring motifs and symbols that pay tribute to the local history and environment.

Oystercatcher Bay (11km)

This picturesque beach lies just beyond the Pinnacle Point security gate from which you will exit. Bring swimwear if you fancy a quick dip in the bay’s tranquil waters, surrounded by smooth boulders and pebbles. it really is beautiful.

Dana Bay

The final stretch takes you through sandy paths into the peaceful Dana Bay. There’s a picnic bench at the endpoint where you can rest while waiting for a lift.

Details about the Route

The entire trail is marked with the sign of the Oystercatcher. It is easy to get off route since the sign has no arrows and you just need to keep looking for it. Even if you do go off the official route, you can’t go too wrong. If you havn’t seen the bird painted on a rock nearby for a while and the terrain is getting rougher, then you may need to turn back.

Terrain

Starts with rocky boulders and steep inclines.
Levels off with a dry dirt track and features some wooden bridges and paths.
Transitions to sandy terrain closer to Dana Bay.
A quiet route (and we did this in January). We only bumped in to 10 other people hiking. We felt completely safe the entire time.
There are many lookout points, picnic seats and beach views along the way.

Wildlife

Look out for butterflies, lizards, dassies, and African black oystercatchers. We spotted seals along the coastline playing in the waters, and during the right season, you might even see dolphins or whales.

Although we didn’t see any, you must be aware of snakes on this trail, especially Puff adders who love basking in the sun and often will not move off the path.

Tips for Walkers

Bring plenty of water, and never hike alone. There are no water refill stations along the way expect for at the golf club where you can buy some.
Wear hiking boots or sturdy trainers
Start the walk early in the day to avoid the scorching sun
Bring a light jacket as it can get windy
Wear a hat and apply sun protection, as there’s no shade along the trail.
Pack some swimwear if you want to take a dip in Oyster Bay or Dana beach (highly reccomended).
You have phone signal most of the way but it does drop off at points

Plan your transport back

Arrange a lift at the endpoint in Dana Bay before you start to avoid waiting for a taxi or Uber (we waited 23 minutes for ours. This was a welcome time to chill after the hike, with a picnic seat conveniently located at the endpoint). You can use a 24/7 taxi service recommended by our Airbnb host on this number (082 932 5809). It’s called 24/7 taxis, we didn’t use it but it’s worth a shot if you need to.

Facilities

Car parking: We parked next to Cape St Blaize Cave (the starting point by the Mossel Bay Lighthouse)
There are no toilets until you reach the golf club.

Why Walk the St Blaize Trail?

The St Blaize Trail offers a brilliant mix of natural beauty, history, and adventure. With its dramatic cliffs, rich fynbos vegetation, and the chance to spot wildlife, it’s a must-do activity in Mossel Bay. Whether you tackle the full 13.5km or just a section, you’re in for a beautiful coastal hike!

St Blaize Trail Guide: Mossel Bay to Dana Bay