Best Walking Paths and Streets in Port Elizabeth to Explore on Foot

The Boardwalk and the Baakens Valley

If you are looking for the best walking paths in Port Elizabeth, the place to start is the Boardwalk, right in the heart of the city's beachfront precinct in Summerstrand. I have walked this stretch more times than I can count, and it still surprises me how different it feels depending on the hour. The paved promenade runs along Algoa Bay, connecting the Boardwalk Casino complex to the dunes and grassy banks that slope down toward the Indian Ocean. Early mornings, before 7:00 AM, are when you will have the place almost entirely to yourself, save for a few joggers and fishermen casting lines off the rocks near the Shark Rock Pier. The air smells like salt and wet sand, and the light over the bay has a soft, grey quality that makes the whole scene feel unhurried.

What most tourists do not realize is that the Boardwalk is not just a casino and entertainment complex. It is a genuine public thoroughfare that links several kilometers of coastal path. You can walk from here all the way to Hobie Beach without ever leaving the paved trail. The fountains near the entrance are a favorite with children, and the restaurants along the upper level serve decent coffee if you need a break. I usually grab a flat white from one of the kiosks near the main entrance and sit on one of the benches facing the ocean. The complex can get uncomfortably crowded on public holidays and during the annual Ironman weekend in April, so plan around those dates if you want a quieter experience.

The Baakens Valley Green Belt

A short drive or a 25-minute walk from the Boardwalk inland brings you to the Baakens Valley Green Belt, one of the most underrated scenic walks Port Elizabeth has to offer. The valley follows the course of the Baakens River, which historically served as the boundary between the early colonial settlement and the surrounding Xhosa territories. Today, the green belt is a patchwork of sports fields, informal trails, and thick riverine vegetation that feels worlds away from the beachfront. I like to start near the Settlers Highway overpass and follow the dirt path south toward the Nelson Mandela University campus. The trail is flat and easy, though it can get muddy after heavy rain, so wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty.

Birdwatchers will find plenty to keep them occupied here. I have spotted hadeda ibises, Cape robin-chats, and even a few kingfishers along the riverbanks. The best time to walk the Baakens Valley is late afternoon, around 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, when the heat of the day has broken and the light filters through the tall grass. There are no vendors or facilities along the route, so carry water with you. A local tip: the stretch near the university entrance has a small footbridge that crosses the river, and from there you can see the old stone walls of the original 1820 settlers' route. Most visitors never find it because there is no signage.

St George's Park and the Settlers' Walk

St George's Park sits in the central part of Port Elizabeth, bordered by Park Drive and Cape Road, and it is the oldest formal green space in the city. Walking through it feels like stepping into a Victorian-era postcard. The park was established in the 1850s and named after the patron saint of England, which tells you a great deal about the colonial character of early Port Elizabeth. The mature oak and plane trees that line the main avenues were planted over a century ago, and their canopies create a dense shade that makes this one of the most pleasant walks in Port Elizabeth even on the hottest summer days. I usually enter from the Park Drive side, near the Port Elizabeth Lawn Tennis Club, and follow the circular path that loops around the central cricket oval.

The park is home to several landmarks that are worth pausing for. The St George's Park Swimming Pool complex, built in the 1930s, is an art deco structure that still operates during the summer months. The Mannville Open Air Theatre, tucked into the western corner of the park, hosts performances during the summer season, and the acoustics under the trees are surprisingly good. Near the center of the park, you will find the Port Elizabeth Cenotaph, a war memorial that is the focus of annual Remembrance Day ceremonies. The best time to visit is on a weekday morning, when the joggers and dog walkers have thinned out and you can hear the birds clearly. The park can feel a bit isolated after dark, so I would not recommend walking through it in the evening.

The Settlers' Walk Through Central Port Elizabeth

From St George's Park, you can continue on foot into the central business district along what locals sometimes call the Settlers' Walk, though it is not a formally marked trail. The route takes you past several buildings that date back to the 1820s and 1850s, including the Campanile, a 170-foot bell tower built in 1923 to commemorate the arrival of the British settlers. The Campanile stands on the site of the original Donkin Reserve, a triangular piece of land that Sir Rufane Donkin set aside as a public square when he founded the town. You can climb the tower for a small fee, and the view from the top gives you a clear sense of how the city has grown outward from this central point. The stairs are narrow and steep, so it is not ideal for anyone with mobility concerns.

A few blocks from the Campanile, on Castle Hill, you will find the Port Elizabeth Main Library, a handsome stone building that houses a collection of local history archives. The library is free to enter, and the reading room on the upper floor has tall windows that look out over the city. I have spent rainy afternoons there going through old photographs of Port Elizabeth from the early 1900s, and it is one of the best ways to understand how the city evolved from a small colonial port into the industrial hub it is today. The central district has seen better days in terms of maintenance, and some of the side streets can feel neglected, but the architecture along Main Street and Govan Mbeki Avenue is still impressive. A local tip: the coffee shop inside the library courtyard is run by a local nonprofit and serves some of the best rooibos tea in the city.

Donkin Reserve and the City Hall Precinct

The Donkin Reserve is a triangular park in the center of Port Elizabeth, bounded by Belmont Terrace, Castle Hill, and the Campanile. It is named after Sir Rufane Donkin, the acting governor of the Cape Colony who founded Port Elizabeth in 1820 and named it after his late wife, Elizabeth. The park is small but historically significant, and it serves as the symbolic heart of the city. The pyramid-shaped monument at the center of the reserve was erected by Donkin in memory of his wife, and it is one of the most photographed landmarks in Port Elizabeth. I like to sit on one of the benches here in the late afternoon and watch the light change over the harbor.

The City Hall, which stands on the edge of the reserve, was built in 1861 and is a fine example of Victorian civic architecture. The building is not generally open to the public, but the exterior is worth admiring, particularly the clock tower and the ornate stonework around the entrance. The reserve itself is well maintained, with manicured lawns and flower beds that are changed seasonally. It is a popular spot for office workers on their lunch breaks, and the atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried. The best time to visit is on a weekday around noon, when the park is at its liveliest. On weekends it can be almost deserted, which has its own appeal if you want a quiet place to sit and think.

The Horse Memorial and the Trail to the Pier

A short walk from the Donkin Reserve along Belmont Terrace brings you to the Horse Memorial, a bronze statue of a horse and rider that commemorates the animals that died during the Second Boer War. It is one of the more unusual monuments in Port Elizabeth, and it draws a steady stream of curious visitors. From here, you can continue downhill toward the harbor and the Port Elizabeth Pier, which was recently renovated and reopened to the public. The pier extends about 300 meters into Algoa Bay, and on a clear day you can see the islands offshore and the ships waiting to enter the port. The walk from the Donkin Reserve to the pier takes about 15 minutes, and the route passes through a mix of old warehouses and newer apartment buildings that reflect the city's ongoing efforts to revitalize its waterfront.

The pier itself is a good place to end a morning walk. There are benches along the length of it, and the sound of the water lapping against the pilings is oddly soothing. I have seen dolphins from the pier on several occasions, usually in the early morning when the bay is calm. The area around the pier can be windy, so bring a light jacket even in summer. A local tip: the small fish and chip shop on the corner of the pier parking lot is run by a family that has been operating there for over 30 years, and their hake and chips are some of the best in the city. They close by 6:00 PM, so do not leave it too late.

Cape Recife and the Sardinia Bay Trail

For anyone who wants a longer, more rugged walk, the Cape Recife Nature Reserve is the best option within easy reach of Port Elizabeth. The reserve is located about 20 kilometers south of the city center, along the coast toward Schoenmakerskop, and it protects a stretch of rocky shoreline, coastal dunes, and marine reserve that is home to a wide variety of seabirds and marine life. The main walking trail runs from the reserve entrance to the Cape Recife lighthouse, a white-painted tower that has been guiding ships since 1849. The trail is about 6 kilometers round trip, and it takes roughly two hours at a comfortable pace. I have done this walk in both directions, and the views from the lighthouse end are spectacular, particularly on a clear winter morning when the ocean is deep blue and the sky is sharp.

The reserve is managed by SANParks, and there is a small entrance fee that goes toward conservation efforts. The trail is well marked but can be rough in places, with loose sand and rocky outcrops that require careful footing. There are no facilities along the route, so carry everything you need. The best time to walk the Cape Recife trail is early morning, between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM, before the wind picks up. The wind along this stretch of coast can be fierce, and it has a way of cutting right through clothing. A local tip: the tide pools near the lighthouse are some of the best in the Eastern Cape for spotting octopus and sea stars, but you need to time your visit for low tide. Check the tide tables before you go.

Sardinia Bay and the Sacramento Trail

Just north of Cape Recife, the Sardinia Bay Marine Protected Area offers another excellent coastal walk. The Sacramento Trail runs from the Sardinia Bay parking area to the mouth of the Sardinia River, a distance of about 4 kilometers one way. The trail follows the coastline through dense coastal scrub, and there are several spots where you can climb down to the beach. The beach at Sardinia Bay is long and sandy, and it is popular with surfers and bodyboarders, though the water is cold year-round. I prefer to walk the trail in the late afternoon, when the sun is low and the shadows of the dunes stretch across the sand. The light at that hour turns the ocean a deep green, and the whole landscape has a quiet, almost melancholy beauty.

The Sacramento Trail is named after the Portuguese shipwreck that lies just offshore. The Sacramento was a warship that ran aground in 1647, and the wreck is visible from the beach on calm days. The trail is not as well known as the Cape Recife route, so you are more likely to have it to yourself, especially on weekdays. There are no vendors or restrooms at Sardinia Bay, so plan accordingly. A local tip: the parking area at Sardinia Bay is unpaved and can be difficult to navigate in a standard sedan after rain. If you are driving a low-clearance vehicle, park at the top of the hill and walk down the access road, which adds about 10 minutes to the walk but saves your suspension.

The Strand Street Jetty and the Shark Rock Pier

The Strand Street Jetty is one of the oldest structures in Port Elizabeth's harbor, and it offers a short but rewarding walk for anyone interested in the city's maritime history. The jetty extends into the Baakens River estuary, and from its end you can see the working port, the container ships, and the fishing boats that still operate from this side of the bay. The walk from the Boardwalk to the jetty takes about 20 minutes along Beach Road, and the route passes through the Humewood neighborhood, a quiet residential area with some of the oldest houses in the city. I like this walk because it shows a side of Port Elizabeth that most visitors never see, the industrial and working waterfront that has been the economic backbone of the city for over 200 years.

The Shark Rock Pier, further east along the beachfront, is a more popular destination and a good place to watch the sunset. The pier is about 200 meters long, and it juts out into the bay at a point where the rocky shoreline creates a natural breakwater. The water around the pier is popular with snorkelers, and I have seen small reef fish and even the occasional cuttlefish in the shallows. The best time to visit is in the hour before sunset, when the sky turns orange and pink and the silhouette of the pier against the water makes for a striking photograph. The area around the pier can be slippery when wet, so watch your step on the rocks. A local tip: the small parking lot near the pier fills up quickly on summer evenings, so arrive early or park further along Beach Road and walk.

The Kragga Kamma Game Park Trail

For a completely different walking experience, the Kragga Kamma Game Park on the northern outskirts of Port Elizabeth offers a chance to see wildlife on foot. The park is located about 15 kilometers from the city center, along the N2 highway toward Makhanda, and it protects a section of coastal grassland and valley bushveld that is home to zebra, bontebok, and several species of antelope. The walking trails within the park are guided, and the walks typically last about 90 minutes. I did one of these walks on a cool winter morning, and the guide pointed out tracks and signs of animal activity that I would never have noticed on my own. The landscape is rolling and open, with wide views of the surrounding hills, and it feels a world away from the urban beachfront.

The guided walks are led by trained field guides who know the area well, and they are good at adjusting the pace to suit the group. The best time for a walk is early morning, when the animals are most active and the temperature is comfortable. The park also has a self-drive route for those who prefer to stay in their vehicle, but the walking trail gives you a much more intimate experience of the landscape. There is a small entrance fee, and it is advisable to book in advance, particularly during school holidays. A local tip: the park has a picnic area near the entrance with basic braai facilities, and it is a lovely spot to have lunch after your walk. Bring your own food and drinks, as there is no shop on site.

The Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve

About 40 kilometers west of Port Elizabeth, along the N2 toward Jeffreys Bay, the Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve is one of the most spectacular scenic walks in the Eastern Cape. The reserve protects a section of the Van Stadens River gorge, a deep and dramatic ravine that cuts through the coastal plateau. The main walking trail follows the rim of the gorge, offering views that stretch for kilometers in every direction. On a clear day, you can see the river winding through the bottom of the gorge, the forested slopes, and the ocean in the distance. I have walked this trail in spring, when the fynbos is in bloom, and the colors are extraordinary, reds, yellows, purples, and whites covering every surface.

The trail is about 5 kilometers long and takes roughly two to three hours, depending on how often you stop to look at the views. There are several lookout points along the way, and the reserve has placed information boards that explain the ecology of the gorge and the species of plants and animals that live there. The best time to visit is in the morning, before the wind picks up, as the gorge can create strong gusts that make walking uncomfortable. There are no facilities in the reserve, so carry water and snacks. A local tip: the entrance to the reserve is easy to miss if you are driving too fast. Look for the small sign on the south side of the N2, just before the Van Stadens River bridge. The access road is gravel and can be rough, so drive slowly.

The 67 Steps and the Donkin Street Pedestrian Walk

The 67 Steps are one of Port Elizabeth's most distinctive urban landmarks, a steep staircase that connects the upper and lower parts of the city center. The steps were built in the 1960s as part of a public art project to celebrate the city's heritage, and each step is decorated with a mosaic tile that represents an aspect of Port Elizabeth's history. Walking up the steps is a workout, particularly in the heat, but the view from the top is worth the effort. You can see the harbor, the Campanile, and the rooftops of the central business district spread out below you. I usually walk the steps in the late afternoon, when the light is soft and the shadows of the buildings create interesting patterns on the mosaic tiles.

The Donkin Street Pedestrian Walk, which runs alongside the steps, is a quieter route that takes you through a section of the city center that has been partially pedestrianized. The street is lined with small shops, cafes, and galleries, and it has a more relaxed atmosphere than the main commercial thoroughfares. I like to stop at one of the coffee shops along the street and sit outside, watching the foot traffic and listening to the sounds of the city. The best time to walk this route is on a Saturday morning, when the shops are open and the street has a lively but not overwhelming energy. The area can feel a bit run down in places, and some of the buildings are in need of repair, but the overall character is appealing. A local tip: the small art gallery halfway along Donkin Street has a collection of works by local artists, and the owner is happy to chat about the history of the neighborhood. It is free to enter, and it is one of the best places in the city to find an original piece of Eastern Cape art.

When to Go and What to Know

Port Elizabeth is a year-round walking city, but the best months for outdoor exploration are March through May and September through November, when the temperatures are mild and the wind is less intense. Summer, from December to February, can be hot and humid, with temperatures reaching the mid-30s Celsius, so plan your walks for early morning or late afternoon. Winter, from June to August, is cooler and often windy, but the skies are clear and the light is beautiful for photography. Always carry water, sunscreen, and a hat, regardless of the season. The city's tap water is safe to drink, so you can refill your bottle at any public tap.

Most of the walking routes described here are free to access, with the exception of the Cape Recife Nature Reserve and the Kragga Kamma Game Park, which charge a small entrance fee. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip, as many of the coastal trails involve sand, rocks, or uneven terrain. If you are walking alone, stick to the main paths and avoid isolated areas after dark. The city center is generally safe during the day, but petty crime can be an issue, so keep your valuables out of sight and be aware of your surroundings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days are needed to see the major tourist attractions in Port Elizabeth without feeling rushed?

Three full days are enough to cover the main attractions at a comfortable pace. One day for the beachfront and Boardwalk area, one day for the central historic district and St George's Park, and one day for the coastal trails at Cape Recife or Sardinia Bay. Adding a fourth day allows you to explore the Van Stadens Gorge and the Kragga Kamma Game Park without rushing.

How walkable is the main cultural and dining district of Port Elizabeth?

The central district, roughly bounded by Govan Mbeki Avenue, Castle Hill, and the harbor, is compact and walkable, with most points of interest within a 15-minute walk of each other. The beachfront promenade from the Boardwalk to Hobie Beach is about 4 kilometers and can be walked in under an hour. The outer neighborhoods like Summerstrand and Humewood are less walkable and require a vehicle or ride-hailing service to reach.

Which local ride-hailing or transit apps should I download before arriving in Port Elizabeth?

Bolt and inDrive are the two most widely used ride-hailing apps in Port Elizabeth, and both are reliable and affordable. Uber has limited availability in the city. The Algoa Bus Company operates public bus services, but the routes are limited and the schedules are infrequent. For most visitors, a combination of walking and ride-hailing is the most practical way to get around.

What is the safest area to book an accommodation or boutique stay in Port Elizabeth?

The Summerstrand and Central neighborhoods are the safest and most convenient areas for visitors. Summerstrand is close to the beachfront and the Boardwalk, while Central puts you within walking distance of the historic district, St George's Park, and the Campanile. Both areas have a good selection of guesthouses, boutique hotels, and self-catering apartments, and they are well lit and patrolled compared to other parts of the city.

What is the safest and most reliable way to get around Port Elizabeth as a solo traveler?

Walking during daylight hours in the central and beachfront areas is safe and enjoyable. For longer distances or evening travel, use Bolt or inDrive, which are widely available and cost roughly R20 to R50 for most trips within the city. Avoid walking alone in isolated areas such as the Baakens Valley after dark, and do not leave valuables visible in a parked vehicle.