Garden Route Hiking Trails


The Garden Route in the Western Cape features some of the most spectacular hiking trails in the world, through forest, fynbos and along its pristine coastline.

Advance Booking is essential since the trails are very popular, and numbers are limited. Permits are required and all of the longer trails offer accommodation in overnight huts.

HEIDELBERG

Tourist Info: 028 722 1068


BOSBOK HIKING TRAIL / Bushbuck Hiking Trail  (Not pet-friendly)
Starting Point: Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve office
End: Circular routes
Distance: 2-10 km Duration 1-8 days
Rating: Easy
Permit: Booking at office 028 492 0001
Features: Indigenous forest

STILBAAI

Tourist Info: 028 754 2602


NOORDKAPPER ROUTE (Not pet-friendly)
Starting Point: Morris Point
End: Jongensfontein
Distance: 11 km Duration 4 hrs
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features: Low tide. Coastline, fish traps, shell gathering, flowers, whales, caves, ancient strandloper middens
(Beware of snakes, during snake season)


WEST BANK ROUTE (Not pet-friendly)
Starting Point: Tourism Office
End: Morris Point / Harbour
Distance: 5-10 km Duration 2-5 hrs
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features: Birds, river estuary, fish traps, harbour, tame eels and whales


BOHNEN ROUTE (Not pet-friendly)
Starting Point: In the reserve
End: Circular routes
Distance: 4-8 km Duration 2-4 hrs
Rating: Easy to average
Permit: None
Features: Ocean views, limestone and dune fynbos, small and medium antelope and birds
(Beware of snakes, during snake season)


HONEYMOON BEACH ROUTE (Not pet-friendly)
Starting Point: Lappiesbaai beach
End: Circular route
Distance: 8 km Duration undetermined
Rating: Easy
Permit: none
Features: Low tide. Unspoilt soft sandy beach, unique rock formations


GEELKRANZ ROUTE (Not pet-friendly)
Starting Point: In the reserve
End: Circular route
Distance: 5-12 km Duration 3-6 hrs
Rating: Easy to difficult
Permit: (02875) 42602
Features: Rehabilitation of dune fynbos, limestone caves, birds, fauna and flora
(Beware of snakes, during snake season)

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MOSSEL BAY

Tourist Info: 044 691 2202


CAPE St. BLAZE HIKING TRAIL (pet-friendly / Dogs on a leash)
Starting Point: Bat's Cave
End: Dana Bay
Distance: 15 km one way Duration 4 hrs
Rating: Average, high cliffs on one side
Permit: None, children must be accompanied by an adult
Features: Coastal views with towering cliffs and rocks and a number of bays and coves
(Beware of snakes, during snake season)

 


RUITERBOS/ROOSTER HIKING TRAIL (Not pet-friendly)
Starting Point: Eight Bells Mountain Inn / Ruiterbos Forest Station
End: Circular route
Distance: 5 km Duration 2 hrs
Rating: Easy
Permit: Self-issued permit
Features: Indigenous and Pine Forest


COUMASHOEK CIRCULAR TRAIL (pet-friendly / Dogs on a leash)
Starting Point: A style next to a green gate opposite a picnic table in Robinson Pass
End: Top of the Robinson Pass or back at the start
Distance: 16.5 km Duration 7 hrs
Rating: Average
Permit: None
Features: Fynbos, small animals

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GREAT BRAK RIVER

Tourist Info: 044 620 2100


WOLWEDANS HIKING TRAIL  (Not pet-friendly)
Starting Point: Municipality
End: Wolwedans Dam lookout point
Distance: 3 km one way Duration 2 hrs
Rating: Easy
Info Contact: 081 2708761
Permit: 044 606 5000
Features: Beautiful river trail with rich bird life


GREAT BRAK RIVER VILLAGE WALK (pet-friendly / Dogs on a leash)
Starting Point: Southern Cross Rd
End: Circular Route
Distance: 8 km Duration 2 hrs
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features: Beach, estuary, river and village

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GLENTANA

Tourist Info: 044 620 2100


GLENTANA BEACH WALK TO SHIPWRECK (pet-friendly / Dogs on a leash)
Starting Point: Parking area near the Sea Side Cafe, walk in an easterly direction towards the rocks
End: Walk back
Distance: 6 km, Duration: 3 hrs
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features: Rocky beach, caves, wreck of floating dock


STEVE LANDMAN TRAIL (pet-friendly / Dogs on a leash)
Starting Point: Outeniqua Resort, Bluff Street, Glentana
End: Walk back
Distance: 4 km, Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Rating: Easy - average
Permit: None
Features: Beach

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HEROLD'S BAY

Tourist Info: 044 801 9295


DUTTON'S COVE WALK
Starting Point: Park at beach parking area, walk in easterly direction to residential area
End: Walk back
Distance: 4 km, Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Rating: Easy - average
Permit: None
Features: Road and path overlooking sea


ROOIKRANSIES WALKS
Starting Point: Walk from the hotel in an easterly direction
End: Walk back
Distance: 4 km, Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features: Road and path overlooking sea, magnificent views

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GEORGE

Tourist Info: 044 801 9295


DORING RIVER WILDERNESS TRAIL
Starting Point: Waboomskraal
End: Circular route
Distance: 15 km, Duration: 6 hrs
Rating: Average - difficult
Permit: Outeniquas - Witfontein (044) 870 8323
Features: Fynbos, mountain scenery and river


PASS TO PASS TRAIL
Starting Point: Top of Montagu Pass (old gravel quarry on the western side) or Outeniqua Pass
End: Top of Outeniqua Pass or Montagu Pass
Distance: 4.7 km Duration 3 hrs
Rating: Difficult
Permit: Self-issued permit at Montagu Pass/Montagu Pass
Features: View over Outeniqua Mountain Range with beautiful fynbos.


KEUR RIVER BRIDGE NATURE TRAIL
Starting Point: At Montagu Pass at the picnic spot
End: Walk back
Distance: 1 km, Duration 30 min
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features: View over mountain passes and range with indigenous fynbos


GEORGE PEAK & CRADOCK'S PEAK TRAIL
Starting Point: Witfontein Forest Station
(both routes first 8 km the same)
End: Walk back
Distance: George Peak: 17.2 km,
Cradock: 19 km (10 hrs)
Rating: Difficult
Permit: Self-issued permit at Witfontein
Features: View over George and coast to Mossel Bay, fynbos and smaller animals


CRADOCK PASS TRAIL
Starting Point: Witfontein Forest Station or start at North Station (old hotel, top of Montagu Pass)
End: North Station (organise a car at this end or walk via Montagu Pass - additional 10.5 km)
Distance: Single walk 12.5 km, Duration 6 hrs
Rating: Average - difficult
Permit: Self-issued permit at Witfontein
Features: View over mountains towards Karoo, fynbos and animals


WITFONTEIN
Starting Point: Arbour Road / North end of First Ave / SAFCOL / Camfersdrift Rd / Plane Rd.
End: Circular route
Distance: varies
Rating: easy
Permit: None - keep to the marked route
Features: Walk through Pine plantations with rich birdlife


TV TOWER
Starting Point: Witfontein, walk to the tower
End: Walk back
Distance: 5 km Duration 2 hrs
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features: Tower with magnificent view over George and mountain ranges


DIKKOP TRAIL
Starting Point: Dikkop en Bokmakierie St
(Eden Residential area, George)
End: Walk back
Distance: 5 km, Duration 2 hrs
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features: Plantations / indigenous forest


GARDENROUTE DAM
Starting Point: Eastern end of Stander St
(Eden residential area)
End: Walk back
Distance: 2.5 km to dam, Duration 1 hr 30 min
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features: Walk through Pine plantations next to dam, beautiful scenery


GROENE WEIDE FOREST WALKS (3 Routes)
Starting Point: Saasveld College,
Northern point of golf course
End: Circular Route
Distance: 15 km, Duration 5 hrs 30 min
Rating: Easy - optional shorter route of 7 km and 11 km
Permit: Self-issued
Features: Indigenous forest

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WILDERNESS

Tourist Info: 044 877 0045


WOODVILLE FOREST WALK
Starting Point: North of Hoekwil
End: Circular Route
Distance: 2 km, Duration 20 min
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features: Indigenous Forest


WILDERNESS COUNTRY WALK
Starting Point: Behind Karos Wilderness Hotel, Hoogte Rd to Map of Africa
End: Circular route
Distance: 7 km, Duration 2-3 hrs
Rating: Average
Permit: None
Features: Farmlands, View of mountains, lakes, forest valleys, coastal plain, coastline and ocean


KLEINKRANZ TO GERICKE'S POINT
Starting Point: Walk during low tide from Kleinkranz to Gericke's Point (Swartvlei Mouth) of vice-versa
End: Walk back
Distance: 14 km, Duration 6 hrs
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features: Beach and fynbos


THE PIED KINGFISHER TRAIL
(The boardwalk, Serpentine and beach)
Starting Point: Wilderness Rest Camp
End: Circular Route
Distance: 11 km, Duration 3 hrs
Rating: Easy
Permit: Self-issued permit at start
Features: Lagoon, coastal bush, floodplain, beach and birdlife


GIANT KINGFISHER TRAIL
(Ebb and Flow to the waterfall)
Starting Point: Ebb and Flow
End: Walk back
Distance: 7 km (return) Duration 3 hrs
Rating: Average
Permit: Self-issued permit (pay entrance at Ebb and Flow)
Features: River valley, indigenous forests, rocks, pools and waterfall


THE HALF-COLLARED KINGFISHER TRAIL
(Along the western bank of the Touw River)
Starting Point: Western bank of Touws River alongside train / motor bridge next to Ebb and Flow
End: Walk back
Distance: 4 km Duration 1 hr 30 min
Rating: Easy except for new Bosduif route which is rather strenuous
Permit: Self-issued
Features: Indigenous forest and river valley


BROWNHOODED KINGFISHER TRAIL
Starting Point: Duiwe River between Island Lake and Lang Vlei
End: Walk back
Distance: 6 km Duration 2 hrs
Rating: Average
Permit: Self-issued at start
Features: River valley, rocks and cliffs, waterfall and swimming hole

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SEDGEFIELD

Tourist Info: 044 3432628


THE CAPE DUNE MOLERAT TRAIL
Starting Point: Rondevlei Research Centre
End: Circular route
Distance: 8 km Duration 2-4 hrs
Rating: Average
Permit: Self-issued permit at start
Features: Lake, fynbos, dunes, bird- and animal life


SEDGEFIELD COUNTRY WALK
Starting Point: Centre of town
End: Circular route
Distance: 12 km Duration 3 hrs 30 min
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features: Sedgefield town, plantations, coastal bush, lagoon, magnificent scenery and views


GOUKAMMA TRAIL
Starting Point: Parking area, Goukamma Nature Reserve
End: Circular route
Distance: 8 km Duration 3 hrs
Rating: Average
Permit: Pay at entrance
Features: Coastal bush, Milkwood forest, sand dunes, beautiful views of the forest and hinterland


GOUKAMMA BEACH WALK
Starting Point: At the boardwalk at Platbank
End: Rowwehoek on the rocks on the eastern side of the Goukamma River Mouth, next to Buffels Bay rd
Distance: 14 km Duration 3 hrs 30 min
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features: Beautiful, unspoilt beach and inter-tidal pools


GOUKAMMA AND GROENVLEI TRAIL
Starting Point: Parking area - Goukamma Nature Reserve
End: The Conservation Station at Groenvlei
Distance: 13 km Duration 5 hrs
Rating: Average
Permit: Pay at entrance
Features: Grand coastal scenery, dune fynbos, Milkwood forest, a wide variety of birdlife and antelope


GERICKE'S POINT BEACH WALK
Starting Point: Swartvlei Beach
End: Swartvlei Beach
Distance: 6 km Duration 2 hrs
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features: Should be done at low tide. Beautiful tidal pools, rock formations and sea birdlife

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KNYSNA

Tourist Info: 044 382-5510


BRENTON-ON-SEA BEACHWALK
Starting Point: Brenton-on-sea
End: Buffalo Bay or walk back
Distance: 7 km Duration 2 hrs
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features:Sandy beaches


JUBILEE CREEK FOREST WALK
Starting Point: Parking area
End: Circular route
Distance: 3.6 km Duration 1 hr
Rating: Easy
Permit: Sign, register and pay entrance fee
Features: Indigenous forest, stream and swimming hole, one of the largest trees in the area


MILWOOD GOLD MINE TRAIL
Starting Point: Milwood picnic spot
End: Circular route
Distance: 5.6 km Duration 2 hrs
Rating: Moderate
Permit: Sign, register and pay entrance fee
Features: Remains of old mining village, museum, graveyard, plantations, fynbos and forest


TERREBLANS FOREST WALK
Starting Point: Parking area
End: Circular route
Distance: 6.5 km Duration 2 hrs
Rating: Easy
Permit: Sign, register and pay entrance fee
Features: Forest and swimming holes


THE ELEPHANT TRAILS
Starting Point: In front of Diepwalle Forest Station
End: 3 Circular routes
Distance: 9/8/7 km Duration 2 hrs 30 min / 2 hrs / 2 hrs 30 min
Rating: Easy
Permit: Pay entrance fee
Features: Forest with many large Yellowwood trees


WITELS FOREST WALK
Starting Point: Parking area
End: Circular route
Distance: 2 km Duration 30 min
Rating: Easy
Permit: Sign register
Features: Forest

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PLETTENBERG BAY

Tourist Info: 044 533 4065


GARDEN OF EDEN FOREST WALK
Starting Point: Parking area
End: Circular Route
Distance: 1 km Duration 30 min
Rating: Easy
Permit: Sign, register and pay entrance fee
Features: Forest with stream, bridges and braai facilities


KRANSHOEK FOREST WALK
Starting Point: Picnic site
End: Circular route
Distance: 3-9 km Duration 2-5 hrs
Rating: Difficult
Permit: Sign, register and pay entrance fee
Features: Forest, plantation, fynbos, coastal escarpment, rock beach and picnic site


ROBBERG NATURE RESERVE
Starting Point: Parking area
End: Circular route
Distance: 2.2 km / 5.6 km / 9.2 km
Duration 45 min / 2 hrs / 4hrs
Rating: Easy - difficult
Permit: At entrance
Features: Forest, plantation, fynbos, coastal escarpment, rock, beach and picnic site


MILKWOOD SCENIC TRAILS
Starting Point: Any point along the route
(lagoon at Central Beach)
End: Circular route
Distance: 3-5 km Duration 1-2 hrs
Rating: Easy
Permit: None
Features: Forests, beaches, wetlands, historical and scenic town sight


WITTEDRIFT NATURE TRAILS
Starting Point: Wittedrift High School
End: Circular route
Distance: 1.5 - 10 km Duration 2-8 hrs
Rating: Easy - difficult
Permit: None, the overnight hut can be booked at Wittedrift Butchery
Features: Wetlands, river, interesting geology, fynbos, scrubs (dogs and horses allowed)


NATURE'S VALLEY NETWORK
Starting Point: Various
End: Circular route
Distance: 1-6 km Duration 1-3 hrs
Rating: Easy - difficult
Permit: Free permit from de Vasselot Camp Site
Features: Fynbos, forests, sandy beaches and rocky cliffs


STINKHOUTKLOOF TRAIL
Starting Point: Parking area at Bloukrans Forest Station
End: Circular route
Distance: 1 km Duration 30 min
Rating: Easy
Permit: Sign register at entrance
Features: Forest


STORMS RIVER MOUTH TRAILS
Starting Point: Parking area, Tsitsikamma National Park
End: Walk back
Distance: 1-5.6 km Duration 1-3 hrs
Rating: Easy - difficult
Permit: Pay entrance fee at National Park
Features: Forest, fynbos, caves, suspension bridge and rugged coast


THE BIG TREE AND RATEL TRAIL
Starting Point: Parking area 3 km west of Storm's River bridge on the R102 turn off to the Big Tree
End: Circular route
Distance: 4.2 km Duration 1 hr 15 min
Rating: Average
Permit: Sign, register and pay entrance fee
Features: One of the largest Yellowwoods in the country, indigenous forests

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LONGER HIKES


BOOSMANSBOS WILDERNESS AREA - HEIDELBERG
Starting Point: Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve Office
End: Circular Route
Distance:27 - 64 km Duration 2-5 days
Rating: Average - Difficult
Permit: (02872) 22412
Features: Mountain, fynbos and indigenous forest


ATTAQUASKLOOF HIKING TRAIL - MOSSEL BAY
Starting Point: A stile next to a green gate opposite the picnic area at the Robinson Pass between Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn
End: Circular Route
(3 alternative routes can be done over 3 days)
Distance: 38.3 km Duration: 3 days
Rating: Difficult
Permit: Outeniquas - Witfontein (044) 870 8323
Features: Unspoilt exceptionally beautiful fynbos, rock pools and Attaskloof Pass with beautiful views


TIERKOP - GEORGE
Starting Point: Witfontein
End: Garden Route Dam via Pepsi Pool
to parking area or Witfontein
Distance: 17.5 + 12.5 km
Rating: Average
Permit: Outeniqua Nature Reserve - Witfontein
(044) 870 8323
Features: Pine plantations, indigenous forest, fynbos, dam, Pepsi Pool and waterfall


For additional information on hiking trails in and around the Garden Route please see: Sanparks Garden Route Hiking Trails


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