Get to know East London better (6)

  • The trail is named after the numerous rock hyraxes (‘dassies’) found in the area
  • It’s only open on weekdays from 09:00 – 16:00
  • Entrance is free
  • Secure parking is available

I have wanted to write about this lovely hiking trail for some time. In January this year, when my mother was visiting us, she and I one morning went for a walk on the trail.

It is an easy route of only 2km (1.2 miles) and within the Nahoon Estuary Nature Reserve.

New Forest Trail:

We first walked the dense New Forest Trail of only 1km. As we entered the forest, a couple of guinea fowl trotted ahead.

Guinea fowl at the entrance of the New Forest Trail

Since this hike was in the middle of summer (and on a very hot day), we enjoyed being covered by the tall trees. My mum is an admirer of all plants and flowers and we stopped several times to take a closer look at the greenery.

Trees and lush vegetation are typical on this trail

Lantana – an invasive shrub

Dassie Trail:

After enjoying the coolness of the New Forest, we walked to the Dassie trail. This trail starts on a wide path through a forest, before joining a boardwalk that leads you to an open area of ​​mud flats.

Start of the Dassie Trail

We heard that the blue duiker, a small antelope, is often seen on this trail. What we didn’t expect is that we would see one so close to the path. It didn’t even run away when I stepped closer to take a photo.

Blue duiker

I’ve walked on many boardwalks in my life, but never on one like this. What makes this boardwalk so special is that it was made with recycled plastic.

My mum (and a gecko/lizard) on the boardwalk

The Nahoon Nature Reserve is located on the northern bank of the Nahoon River Estuary. As we strolled along the boardwalk, we kept seeing the Nahoon River on our right.

Barge on the Nahoon River

The boardwalk winds through the estuary

At the end of the boardwalk there is a sandy path to the right that took us to the beach. From here we could see where the Nahoon River flows into the Indian Ocean.

Sandy path from the boardwalk

This little boat is almost buried in the sand

Beach area along the banks of the Nahoon River

My mum walks through the shallow water on the beach

We saw several colourful flowers on and near the beach. My mum called me to see every little flower – she really enjoyed this stroll.

Beach morning glory (left) and clivia (right)

Nahoon River flows into the Indian Ocean

On the way back, we decided to walk through the forest instead of the boardwalk. The sun was hot and it was delightfully cool in the shady forest.

Stroll through the forest

After more than an hour on the Dassie Trail, we were back at the parking area. My mum is very fond of walking and she really enjoyed the morning in the beautiful reserve.