Most visitors to Zinkwazi spend their mornings at the lagoon. A few discover the forest. There are three marked walking trails through the coastal dune forest on the southern edge of the village, maintained by Zinkwazi residents Roy and Allan under the Zinkwazi Blythedale Conservancy. Between them they cover everything from a gentle 20-minute loop to a proper 3.5km forest and coastal route with ocean lookouts, named waypoints and a few sections that will test your navigation. None of them appear on any major trail app. That is part of the point.
Getting to the trails
The entrance is at 31 Palm Drive, Zinkwazi. The gate is in an electric fence. It opens at 6am and is locked at 6pm. Do not cut it fine on the return.
From the gate, follow the approach path for a few hundred metres to reach the trail head where all three trails begin. At the trail head, the Royal Walk is to your left. Turn right and walk a short distance to a second fork. Lala Forest is left, Iphiti Trail is right.
All trails are on private property. The Zinkwazi Blythedale Conservancy is permitted to promote and maintain them. Enter at your own risk. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
Lala Forest Depression: 1.22km return
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Time: 20 to 30 minutes
Terrain: Well-maintained path, steep staircase section
The Lala Forest trail is the most sheltered of the three: a loop through dense subtropical coastal forest, well cut and easy to follow for most of its length. The forest closes in quickly after the entrance. Dense foliage, plenty of birdlife, and the kind of quiet that the beach never quite has.
This is where the Crowned Eagle breeding pair holds territory. The nest is along this trail. You are unlikely to see the birds without knowing where to look and arriving early, but knowing they are here while you are walking changes how you move through the forest.
The trail climbs a fairly steep staircase section. Older visitors are advised to bring a walking stick or cane. The steps are substantial and the descent requires care.
Navigation note: At the top of the stairs there is a fork with no clear marker. Turn right. Follow the trail in a clockwise direction all the way back to where you came from, then descend via the Iphiti trail exit. If you go left at the fork you will lose the route. Right is the only correct direction.
Lala Forest and the Iphiti Trail are connected. You can access one from the other, and combining both as a single outing is a natural option.
Suitable for: Children aged 6 and older can walk this independently. Younger children with parents. Older visitors should bring a walking stick for the stairs.
Iphiti Trail: 1.22km return
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Time: 20 to 30 minutes
Terrain: Coastal dune forest
The Iphiti Trail branches right from the second fork after the entrance. It connects with the Lala Forest trail, so the two can be walked together as a combined loop. Both share the same approach and exit point.
Royal Walk: 3.5km
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Terrain: Mixed — sand, beach, rooted forest floor, dead leaves, open and enclosed sections
Take: Water, snacks, a walking stick if you need one
The Royal Walk is the longest and most varied of the three trails, established by Zinkwazi residents Roy and Allan in October 2019. It is marked throughout: yellow markers on the outbound journey heading south (sea on your left), white markers on the return heading north (sea on your right). Keep the marker colours front of mind. The two directions are distinct enough that losing track of which colour you are following is the most common way to lose the route.
The trail passes through dense coastal dune forest with named waypoints on signs along the way: Piccadilly, Kings Cross, Milkwood Meander, before reaching the beach. Turn right on the beach and re-enter the forest within approximately 60 metres.
Once back in the forest, there is a significant uphill climb to Head Office, a lookout point. About 50 metres before Head Office there is a fork. Take the left path to continue following the yellow markers. Taking the right path here loses the route.
Continuing south from Head Office, always following yellow markers with the sea to your left, the trail reaches the Mussel Loop, a signed detour that leads down to the sea and back up via 50 ascending steps to the Captain's Cabin. The Captain's Cabin is the payoff: a lookout point with green tyre seats built into the hillside and open ocean views. Worth the climb.
Current hazard: A large tree has fallen directly across the path on this section. The only way through is to climb over the trunk and push through the fallen debris — the path continues on the other side, heading right. This section will sort itself out in time but is currently the most physically demanding part of the trail.
The return follows white markers north through Shepherd's Bush, Waterloo and Pilgrim's Rest, the last of the named rest points with more green tyre seats, before bringing you back to the start.
"The Royal Walk has a bit of everything — forest, beach, a serious uphill, ocean views from the top and a proper sit-down at the Captain's Cabin before the return. Take water. Take your time."
Suitable for: Reasonably fit adults and older children. Walking sticks recommended for older visitors. Not suitable for young children or those with limited mobility. Take refreshments — the route earns them.
Running the trails
The forest trails connect at their far end to routes through the surrounding sugarcane fields for those wanting a longer run. Full detail on the running routes, including Strava embeds for both the sugarcane loop and the longer morning trail, is in the things to do in Zinkwazi Beach guide. For serious trail runners, Holla Trails at Collisheen Estate, Umhlali is 34km from Zinkwazi. South Africa's largest MTB network, also suitable for trail running, with a day permit of approximately R83.
Practical information
- Address: 31 Palm Drive, Zinkwazi Beach
- Gate hours: Open 6am, locked 6pm
- Dogs: On leash only
- Cost: Free
- Parking: Roadside grass verge on Palm Drive. No designated parking area.
- What to bring: Water, snacks for the Royal Walk, walking stick for older visitors or the Lala Forest stairs
The trails are maintained by local residents as a community resource. Treat the forest accordingly.
Birdwatching on the trails
The forest trails pass through the iLala palm and coastal dune forest habitat that supports the Crowned Eagle breeding pair and a range of forest species not found at the lagoon or open beach. Early morning is the most productive window. Before heat and wind pick up, the forest is quieter and birds are more active. Birdwatching at Zinkwazi covers the full species list and best spots across all three habitats.