/ TRAIL ROUTE
BAAKENS VALLEY
A wild, river-cut valley hiding in the middle of Gqeberha — proof you don’t need to leave the city to disappear into nature for a morning.
/ ROUTE OVERVIEW
ROUTE OVERVIEW
Baakens Valley is Gqeberha’s best-kept secret – roughly 500 hectares of public open space along the Baakens River, running through the heart of the city. Drop in almost anywhere along the valley and the traffic noise disappears within minutes, replaced by river sounds, birdsong, and a trail network that locals use for hiking, biking, and dog walking most days of the week.
/ RECOMMENDED TRAIL
Lower Guinea Fowl Trail
For a first visit, the Lower Guinea Fowl Trail is the one to start with. It’s a 7.5km trail accessed from the 3rd Avenue dip in Newton Park, leading down through Settler’s Park and Brickmakers Kloof, tracing the edge of the Baakens River flood-plain through a steep-sided valley below the city suburbs the whole way. It’s an easy trail to underestimate from a map – steep valley walls, river crossings, and a surprising amount of wildlife for something this close to town.
Because the valley’s trail network branches constantly, it’s worth starting at a well-marked trailhead and going with a friend or a group rather than freestyling your first route.
Good to Know
This is a one-way trail, not a loop – plan a lift or a second car at the Settler’s Park end, off Chelmsford Avenue or Target Kloof
Hike with a group where possible – it’s a well-used, well-loved public space, but like any urban greenbelt, there’s safety in numbers
Stick to marked routes on your first visit – the valley’s trail network is extensive and easy to get turned around in
Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way – dassies, leguaans, tortoises, and lizards are all regularly spotted, plus strong birdwatching opportunities
What To Pack
Comfortable trail shoes – the terrain is uneven in places, even though the trail itself is accessible
Water – there are long stretches without shade
A camera or phone – for the birdlife (this is one of the better birdwatching spots in the city)
A flask of something good for the halfway point – or coffee waiting for you at the end
/ BLEND PAIRING
Recommended Blend: African Blend – A light roast, classic breakfast blend.
Baakens Valley is the trail for people who don’t have a free weekend to drive out to the mountains – it’s the one you can walk before work, on a lunch break, or on a Sunday morning without much planning. African Blend fits the same slot in your day: smooth, easy, no fuss, and ready before you’ve even finished lacing up.
/ GET YOUR CUP
/ BRAZIL DARK
DARK ROAST
Thick, chocolatey body, caramelised sweetness, and a warm honey finish that lingers.
YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
STARTS WITH A GOOD CUP
/ TANZANIA BLEND
LIGHT ROAST
Bright, delicate, and unapologetically floral.