Reach new heights and gain a renewed perspective on the Garden Route by exploring the region through trails and hikes.
Goukamma, Buffels Bay
Goukamma Nature Reserve lies between Sedgefield and Knysna and comprises 2 500 hectares of pristine coastal forest. There are a number of fine walking trails in this picturesque reserve, ranging from two to six hours.
The Blombos Route (15 kilometres) is good for birding and can be split into two shorter, circular routes: the 13,5-kilometre Porcupine Trail and 6,5-kilometre Bushpig Trail. Hikes begin with a river crossing in a self-hauled ferry, then you enter a milkwood forest before choosing to head along the dunes, stay in the forest or traverse the entire reserve.
Buffalo Bay Trail (4,2 kilometres) is a circular route that passes through Buffels Bay town, into indigenous forest and along the coast. Cape Clawless Otter Trail (6,5 kilometres) wends its way along the beautiful southern shoreline of Groenvlei and through milkwood forest. For Galjoen Trail, a coastal hike to Platbank (12 kilometres) flanked by thundering surf, you need to consult tide tables as this route is inaccessible at spring high tide.
DO IT:
Purchase permits at the reserve office or from CapeNature Central Reservations
☎️: 044-383-0042
Gamkaberg, Oudtshoorn
The hiking trails at Gamkaberg Nature Reserve offer sublime scenery in this rugged, Little Karoo reserve. Guests have several options, ranging from a half-hour amble to two days on the hoof.
The short Guarrie Trail (0,7 kilometres) takes you through lowland, succulent Karoo vegetation with the 20 most common plant species demarcated and desciptions provided in an info brochure. Spekboom Trail (1,3 kilometres) branches off Guarrie and leads you into spekboom veld with wonderful views of the Little Karoo plains and Swartberg mountains beyond.
Mousebird Trail (2,5 kilometres) wends its way through the sweet-thorn thicket of the valley floor and is great for birding. Pied Barbet Trail (4,1 kilometres) branches off Mousebird and has good views over the sweet-thorn treetops. Overhang Trail (14,4 kilometres) penetrates deep into Tierkloof and has remnants of evergreen forest set beneath spectacular sandstone cliffs.
The two-day Tierkloof Trail is a moderately strenuous, 25-kilometre hike through a deep, forested gorge and up onto a fynbos-rich plateau. You overnight at remote Oukraal Camp with sublime views of the Swartberg and Outeniqua ranges.
DO IT:
Purchase permits at the reserve office or from CapeNature Central Reservations
Diepwalle, Knysna
Diepwalle (Deep Walls) Forest Station is home to a rustic SANParks camp in the heart of Knysna Forest. It’s an ideal place to base yourself for local hikes.
Walking in this subtropical forest is a delight: exposed roots bisect your path like the tentacles of vegetable octopi; fern fronds close overhead in the shape of hairy parasols; from somewhere comes the soft conversation of a stream; birds chirrup and insects ping their forest sonar.
Diepwalle offers a number of hikes, many following old woodcutter routes. The three main trails (White, Black and Red) take you through a wonderland of giant Outeniqua yellowwood trees, fern thickets and across the clearest of streams.
The moderate, White Elephant Trail (8 kilometres) has a picturesque rock pool where hikers often stop for a dip. The easy, Black Elephant Trail (9 kilometres) passes through both Ysterhoutrug and King Edward VII picnic sites. The moderate, Red Elephant Trail (7 kilometres) crosses a little stream halfway, which makes for a perfect lunch stop.
DO IT:
Purchase a permit at Diepwalle Forest Station. If closed, issue yourself a permit from the wooden box under the tree in front of the office.
☎️: 044-382-9762/3
Harkerville, Knysna
There are a number of superb trails in and around Harkerville Forest, between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
Perdekop is a relatively easy, 9,5-kilometre walk along a well-marked, circular trail that leads through Harkerville Forest with streams, a waterfall, dam and great picnic spot along the way.
DO IT:
Permits from the SANParks office at the start of the trail. Harkerville Forestry Station
☎️: 044-532-7770
The 9-kilometre, Kranshoek hike (or shorter, 3-kilometre option) takes you via a waterfall, through dense coastal forest and along a stretch of boulder-strewn shoreline. This is a fairly challenging but exceptionally beautiful trail.
DO IT:
Permits from the office at the entrance boom. If this is unmanned, a self-issue system applies (there’s a wooden box with permits). Harkerville Forestry Station
☎️: 044-532-7770
Harkerville Coastal Trail is a two-day, 24-kilometre hike, starting and ending at Harkerville Forest Station. It passes through high forest, traverses sections of coastal fynbos and takes you through breath-taking scenery along a cliff-backed shore.
DO IT:
Bookings for the two huts can be made through the Forestry Regional Office in Knysna
☎️: 044-382-5863
Circles in a Forest, Rheenendal
Circles in a Forest hike is an easy to moderate, 8,4-kilometre loop through leafy wooded scenery. Situated in Goldfield State Forest, the trail takes its inspiration from the famous novels of Dalene Matthee. It starts and ends at Krisjan-se-Nek picnic site where you can braai and relax on the grassy river banks.
The hike takes in a lovely swimming spot, dramatic waterfall, forest-fern thickets and frog-filled streams. As you walk the trail, you start to notice the details of this enchanting environment: the texture of bark, the myriad leaf colours and forms, small creatures of the forest floor. You pause to allow a millipede to pass, or help a dwarf chameleon onto a branch. Perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to spot the spoor of Knysna’s elusive elephants…
DO IT:
Purchase permits at Bibby’s Hoek entrance gate (Goudveld Forestry Station)
☎️: 044-389-0129
Pioneer Trail, Gondwana
This 3-night, slackpacking trail traverses the spectacular landscape of Gondwana, an 11 000-hectare, Big Five reserve near Mossel Bay. Covering some 10 kilometres (six hours) a day, you’re escorted by two armed guides along remote game trails. There are regular tea and water breaks, and pack lunches are provided. The hike takes guests to three remote, tented fly camps with two full days of hiking in between. Along the way, your trail guides provide fascinating information on the reserve’s unique biodiversity and ecosystems.
Your luggage is moved daily between the camps, allowing you to experience the landscape with only a light daypack. Each camp comprises four luxurious sleeping tents with en-suite bathrooms, as well as elegant lounge and dining tents. After a hearty meal of local fare, sit around the camp fire and gaze at the stars until your eyelids begin to droop…
DO IT:
Trails start on Mondays and Thursdays and are only run in the summer season from October to May
Otter Trail
‘The Otter’ is South Africa’s most iconic hike. This 5-day, 45-kilometre trail traverses the spectacular coastline between Storms River Mouth and Nature’s Valley. Established in 1968, it’s the country’s oldest hike and considered one of the finest multi-day trails in the world. However, the Otter is not to be taken lightly and has a number of steep climbs and descents, as well as a few technical river crossings. The trickiest of all is Bloukrans, which involves swimming across the river and climbing steep terrain using rope.
The variety and splendour of the landscape make this a spellbinding trail. Days are spent tramping through dense coastal forest, swimming in crystal streams, relaxing on deserted beaches and enjoying the rich flora and fauna, bird and marine life. Each overnight hut is equipped with bunk beds, a toilet (often with a scenic view), a braai, cold shower and rainwater tank.
DO IT:
The hike starts at Storms River Mouth reception where you pay conservation fees, receive a map and watch a video. The trail finishes in Nature’s Valley with a compulsory check out at De Vasselot Rest Camp. Reservations through SANParks
📧: specialisedreservations@sanparks.org
