Garden Route Hiking Trails

Garden Route day hikes. 

At the Diepwalle Forestry Station  there are 3 beautiful Elephant Trails in the Knysna Forest.

Three trails, of varying difficulty, wind their way through pristine Knysna forest, starting and ending at the Diepwalle Forestry Station. 

Black Route: 9km; circular (Easy: 3-4 hours)

White Route: 8km; circular (Moderate: 3-4 hours)

Red Route: 7km; circular (Moderate – Difficult: 3-4 hours)

The trail is a mix of forestry road, woodcutter trails and boardwalk, winding its way past giant old yellowwoods, stinkwood trees, gurgling streams and beautiful tree ferns.

Along the forest floor, the fungi are a delight to behold. From the brightest orange to something that looks like Oreos growing out the side of a tree.

If you keep your eyes open, you might spot a Knysna Loerie or a Knysna dwarf chameleon.

It is magical!

Robberg Nature Reserve in Plettenbergbay area is a World Heritage Site and National Monument, steeped in history, with prehistoric rocks and artefacts. The picturesque peninsula is home to a wealth of fynbos, flora and ocean life, all of which dazzle the senses.

Choose to hike the different trails, each with its own degree of difficulty, but all with unique beauty and scenery.

Tsitsikamma National Park, Natures Valley & Storms River area 

There are a number of walks and hikes in the Park, at Nature's Valley and around Storms River Village.  The trails range from 1,8 km up to 9km and meander through the indigenous forests and on to coastal areas. 

Harkerville

Several one day or shorter Hiking Trails at Hakerville crisscrossing the Forest. Beautiful. See two day trail below. 

Goudveld Forest:

There are many different trails in the forest. I will only mention a few. 

Jubilee Creek that takes you through a maze of indigenous forest, with several age-old tree species extending beyond the forest canopy. The trail follows the edge of the forest stream, and criss-crosses it several times before eventually veering deeper into the forest ending at a lovely pool below a waterfall. Take a bathing costumes with. Picnic spots available at the start of the trail. Distance 3,6km out & back. 

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https://www.visitknysna.co.za/explore/for-the-family/swim-walk-picnic-at-jubilee-creek-in-the-forest/

The Circles in the Forest trail is situated in the Goldfield State Forest:  Starts/ends at the Krisjan-se-Nek picnic site. It is a beautiful easy to moderate walk through the forest. There are sections where you walk amongst huge forest ferns and frog-filled streams with small wooden bridges, also a cool forest pool with a waterfall to swim in. Two options a short 3.1km circle route and a 9km circle route. 

http://www.gardenrouteadventureguide.com/jubilee-creek-short-walk.html

Multi-day Hiking Trails

Also see Multi-day Hiking Trails Page

Outeniqua Hiking Trail 

Best to park your car at the end of the trail sy Hakerville and take a shuttle to the start. 

The first huts are currently closed. Platbos Hut is also closed but it is a good starting point for this beautiful trail. 

Platbos to Millwood Hut:

This is +-15km and the Homtini River is a beautiful place to rest. On this day you also pass through Jubilee Creek picnic site which is a scenic delight and beckons you to stop. A short diversion also leads you to a waterfal with an inviting plunge pool. The hut  consists of a charming, rambling old house with updated ablusion blocks. (For those who knew it. Mother Holly's (Matterolli) restaurant has closed down) 

Millwood to Rondebossie Hut:
This is +- 17km and is quite hilly. Although you walk in the forest, it can become extremely hot. Take adequate water and nutrition to help kerb exhaustion. Don't miss the swimming spot on the Knysna River. Just when you think you have really had enough, the hut suddenly appears in a clearing in the forest.

Rondebossie to Diepwalle Hut:
About 13km start on a lovely green forest food path  but a hill awaits you and after that another HILL. The top offers a spectacular view.  One can see as far as the Knysna Heads. Best to have a break before you reach the top since there are no shade on the top. The rest of the route you just cruise to Diepwalle hut where electricity and a warm shower awaits you. Diepwalle hut is also a great start/stop point for shorter route options. The Deepwalle Teagarden is about 40 m from the hut. Phone ahead to book. 

Diepwalle to Fisantehoek Hut:
Other hiking trails criss-cross this 16km route near the start so be alert not to follow the wrong indicators. The route crosses two rivers which offer refreshing resting spots.

Fisantehoek to Harkerville Hut:
Is the shortest distance, +-12km, on the trail and quite easy-going. It is worth while taking your back pack off your weary shoulders and taking a stroll through the Garden of Eden as the trail crosses the N2 national road near here. After that its just 5km to the Harkerville hut which boasts electricity and hot water to soothe your weary bones.

Harkerville Trail

The Harkerville Trail is a two day trail It starts at Hakerville hut where the Outeniqua Trail ends. It can fine directly after the Outeniqua Trail. It is a lovely Trail but fairly challenging if you have fear of heights. 

The Harkerville Hut at the start has separate rooms with bunk beds and mattresses, a braai area with wood, toilets and hot showers.  Cars a relatively safe there. 

The Sinclar Hut and the consists of two rooms with bunk beds and mattresses which sleep 12. There are flush toilets with wash basins but no showers.  There is also a very inviting covered braai area with wood.  Be sure to pack something to braai and while peering into the fire reflect on the day's hike, very relaxing. Be aware of the baboons and be sure to close up all windows and doors and please clean up.

There are ample rock pools to explore. Take your goggles,  snorkel flippers or  "swimmingshoes"

Take enough water. 

Day 1 

Day 2 

Otter Trail 

The Otter trail  runs along the spectacular coastline between the Storms River mouth and Nature’s Valley, It is named after the shy, mostly nocturnal, Cape Clawless Otter which inhabits the estuaries and streams of the South African coast. The trail, which is officially the oldest and undoubtedly the most iconic hiking trail in South Africa, was opened in 1968.  

The trail is 5 days and 4 nights. The approximate distances and durations are:

• Day 1 = 4.8km (± 2 hours)
• Day 2 = 7.9km (± 4 hours)
• Day 3 = 7.7km (± 4 hours)
• Day 4 = 13.8km (± 6 hours)
• Day 5 = 10.8km (± 5 hours)
• Total Distance = 45km