HEIDELBERG

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

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)

MOSSEL BAY

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

GREAT BRAK RIVER

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

GLENTANA

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

HEROLD'S BAY

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

GEORGE

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

WILDERNESS

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

SEDGEFIELD

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

KNYSNA

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

PLETTENBERG BAY

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

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