Morgan Bay: Beaches, Cliffs and Forest Trails

There are several things to focus on when planning a stay in Morgan Bay: walks on the beach, trails along the cliffs and paths through the forest. The routes can be distinguished by their scenery, length and destination. Historical traces on the beach and the story behind the name Cape Morgan add to the nature-focused attractions.

Beach and cliff walks

There are opportunities for walks on Morgan Bay beach and along the cliff paths. You can choose between two distinct landscapes: a walk on the beach or a path along the cliffs. If the coast is important to you, you can include these options in your day’s plans. For a hike with a named destination and approximate distance, you could also consider Double Mouth Nature Reserve.

Trail to Double Mouth Nature Reserve

The trail to Double Mouth Nature Reserve, which lies outside the built-up area of Morgan Bay, is about 4 km long. It descends from a path near the last cliff and continues along the rocky coast. You should be reasonably fit for this hike. The approximate distance helps you gauge the scale of the outing, while the fitness recommendation provides additional guidance on the physical demands. You can take both into account when weighing up this hike against walks on the beach or along the cliffs.

Bushbuck Trail through Yellowwood Forest

The Bushbuck Trail is a different proposition: it is described as an easy, 700-metre family trail through the indigenous riparian forest of Yellowwood Forest. Compared with the approximately 4 km trail to Double Mouth, the Bushbuck Trail is much shorter. The recommendations also differ: the Bushbuck Trail is rated easy and described as a family trail, while you should be reasonably fit for the hike to Double Mouth. A yellowwood tree at the entrance to the Bushbuck Trail is said to be about 300 years old. This gives the short forest trail a specific natural feature at its starting point, in addition to its length.

Historical traces on the beach and at Cape Morgan

At the end of Morgan Bay beach are the remains of a titanium mine that was abandoned in the mid-1960s. Cape Morgan was named in 1822 after A.F. Morgan, the captain of the survey ship Barracouta. The two dates relate to different historical subjects: the abandonment of the coastal mine and the naming of the cape after a specific person. Together, these references span the history of a mine and a naming in the early 19th century.

Path to Cape Morgan Lighthouse

A path leads from the rocks on the beach through the forest to Cape Morgan Lighthouse. For planning purposes, this route differs from the Bushbuck Trail: the Lighthouse path has a stated route and destination, while the Bushbuck Trail also has a specified length, an easy rating and a family-friendly character. If you want to choose a route by its length, the Bushbuck Trail provides a specific measure. Check the current access conditions before visiting Cape Morgan Lighthouse.

Discover more destinations: Komga, East London, Amatola Coastal, Kiddʼs Beach, Mnquma, Kwelera, Kei Mouth, Bedford

View the wider travel overview: Amathole.