Garden Route Walks & Hiking Trails
Bird Watching Bird Walk
Where? Garden Route Game Lodge, N2, Albertinia, Garden Route, South Africa
If you are a bird lover and thrive on nature then here is something for you to tweet about. Get yourself to the Garden Route Game Lodge for an outstanding walk in the wild. You can choose to venture on the Bird Walk with or ...
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Blombos Trail
Where? Goukamma Nature Reserve, Knysna, Garden Route
Start: Goukamma Nature Reserve
Finish: Goukamma Nature Reserve
Duration: 15 km
Fitness: moderate
Our tip: Blombos is one of six trails you can choose from in the Goukamma Nature Reserve
The Goukamma Reserve might be small ...
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Brownhooded Kingfisher Trail
Where? Wilderness, Garden Route, Western Cape
Meander through the Wilderness on the Brownhooded / Half Collared Kingfisher Trail which runs along the Duiwe River. This 7.2km walk is easy going and suitable for any fitness level.
Walking down the path you will find ...
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Buffalo Bay Trail
Where? Goukamma Nature Reserve, Between Knysna and Sedgefield, Garden Route, South Africa
If you are feeling active and want a stunning location to burn that energy or simply take a gentle walk then why not get on the Buffalo Bay Trail in the Goukamma Nature Reserve in Buffels Bay.
This 4.2 kilometer trail has two ...
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Bush Pig Trail
Where? Goukamma Nature Reserve, Sedgefield, Garden Route, Western Cape
The Bush Pig Trail is a delightful hike situated just off the Garden Route in Sedgefield. This quiet little town is a gorgeously green retreat near the holiday hotspot of Knysna. Embarking on hikes and walks in this part of the ...
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Cape Clawless Otter Trail
Where? Goukamma Nature Reserve, Sedgefield, Garden Route
The Cape Clawless Otter Trail is a 6.5km walk in the Goukamma Nature Reserve, along the edge of the Groenvlei Lake.
The out-and-return route takes hikers through the forest, and along the beautiful lake, which is surrounded ...
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Circles in a Forest Hiking Trail
Where? Start at Goldfield State Forest Krisjanse-Nek picnic site (at the Dalene Matthee memorial), near Knysna
Start: Goldfield State Forest Krisjanse-Nek picnic site (at the Dalene Matthee memorial), near Knysna
Finish: Krisjanse-Nek picnic site
Duration: 3 km – 9 km
Fitness: moderate
Our tip: look out for the Cape dwarf chameleon, ...
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Cradock Peak Trail
Where? Outeniqua Nature reserve, 5km outside of George, Garden Route, Western Cape
Feeling fit, energetic, enthusiastic and full of adventure? Great then get down to the Outeniqua Nature Reserve office which you will find at Witfontein near George, grab a permit and join the Cradock Peak trail.
This ...
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Day Trails Along the Garden Route
Where? Various trails in Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield, Mossel Bay, Garden Route
Aside from the obvious and most famous hikes along the Garden Route, like the Otter Trail, the Oystercatcher Trail, the Dolphin Trail or the Tsitsikamma Trails, there are a host of other walks one can do in and around the ...
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Drupkelders Hiking Trail
Where? On the N2 between Knysna and Sedgefield, Rheenendal, Knysna, Garden Route
Get your family together, pack a picnic, bring along your swimming costumes and get on the Drupkelders Trail. This fantastic forest trail is about 40 minutes long with the last 10 minutes being quite steep leading up to a ...
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Eden to Addo Hike
Where? The hike starts in Knysna and ends in Addo.
The Eden to Addo hike is considered by some as the longest, if not the toughest hiking trail in South Africa. Regarded as a 'mega' hike, the Eden to Addo entails an 18-day haul from Knysna to Addo and the Addo Elephant National ...
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Elephant Walk Trails
Where? Diepwalle Forest Station, Knysna, Garden Route
For a fun forest walk with a difference, get onto the Elephant Walk in Diepwalle Forest. This fantastic trail can be done in 3 sections. There is a 9 kilometre walk that is marked in black, the second is 8 kilometres and is ...
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Ethno Botanical Garden & Braille Trail
Where? Access to the Gardens is via the entrance at the Granery at the Dias Museum Complex, 1 Market Street, Mossel Bay, Garden Route, Western Cape, South Africa.
The Ethno Botanical Garden & Braille Trail is located within the rolling grounds of the Dias Museum Complex, amongst greenery, and splendid views of Santos Beach and Mossel Bay. The complex contains several buildings within the ...
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Explore the Keurbooms River Reserve
Where? Keurbooms River Reserve, Keurboomstrand, near Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
The beautiful Keurbooms River nature reserve that stretches over a distance of 2500 hectares, is bisected by the Keurbooms River and overlooks the estuary. Despite the fact that the estuary below the N2 bridge falls outside of ...
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Forest Buzzard Trail
Where? Start and finish at Witfontein forestry station in George, Garden Route
Start: Witfontein forestry station, Witfontein Nature Reserve, north of George
Finish: Witfontein Nature Reserve
Duration: 2.2 km
Fitness: easy, ideal for children
Our tip: for those after a more arduous hike, an alternative ...
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Fourcade Trail
Where? You will need to obtain a permit from the Witelsbos Forest Station before you can commence this trail. Find this station when you turn off the N2 after travelling 11km east from the Storms River bridge.
Set aside two full days to complete the Fourcade Trail which is a circular route that is 24km long. The trail was opened in 1991 and departs from the depot next to the forest below Witelskop and since it is a circular route you ...
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Friemersheim DIY Walk
Where? Friemersheim DIY Walk, VGK Church, Kretzen Street, Friemersheim, Great Brak, Garden Route, South Africa
Right on the doorstep of the vast variety of accommodation on the Garden Route, there are fantastic things to do and see. These attractions and activities range from restaurants on the beachfront to hikes through the mountains ...
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Gap Circuit
Where? Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
The Robberg Nature Reserve is only about eight kilometres from the holiday Mecca of Plettenberg Bay along the Garden Route. It is an aesthetically spectacular place, offering magnificent views and absolute peace and tranquillity. ...
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Garden of Eden Forest Walk
Where? Harkerville Forest, between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
Start: Harkerville Forest, between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay
Finish: Harkerville Forest
Duration: 1 km, ideal for the elderly or as a pit stop on the N2
Fitness: very easy
Our tip: there is a small office at the entrance to ...
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Goukamma Nature Reserve Trails
Where? Goukamma Nature Reserve, between George and Knysna, Sedgefield, Garden Route
The Goukamma Nature Reserve has a number of breathtaking trails (literally!) Stroll through the Milkwood forests and beach area where phenomenal dune vegetation grows.
The coastline stretches for about 14 kilometers and is a ...
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Gouriqua Hiking Trail
Where? Gouriqua Campsite, Albertinia, Garden Route
Albertinia is a small, quiet town set below the Langeberg Mountain Range. It is known as the home of the Aloe, where this indigenous plant grows busily all around the area.
Albertinia lies between Mossel Bay and Riversdale and ...
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Great Brak River Village Walk
Where? Great Brak River Village Walk, Starting Point is at Southern Cross Road, Great Brak River.
No permit required.
The Garden Route is a spectacular part of the South African coastline, extending from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape. It showcases some of the most spectacular landscapes and seascapes imaginable and continues to lure ...
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Groeneweide Trail
Where? Start at the Saasveld Campus at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in George, Garden Route.
Start: Saasveld campus, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
End: the Kaaimans River
Duration: 7 – 15 km
Fitness: relatively easy
Our tip: you will find self-issue permits at the start of the trail just across the golf ...
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Grysbok and Bushbuck Trails
Where? Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, near the village of Suurbraak or Heidelberg, Cape Overberg
Start: Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, near the little village of Suurbraak or Heidelberg
Finish: Grootvadersbosch Reserve
Duration: various
Fitness: moderate
Our tip: their campsite, which has only a limited number of ...
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Harkerville Forest Flora Trail
Where? Harkerville Forest, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route, South Africa
Discover the beauty of the Garden Route and its lush forested countryside on the Harkerville Forest Flora Trail. This is an easy trail of one kilometre that takes only an hour to complete. It is perfect as an energising activity ...
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Hike the Dolphin Trail
Where? Start at Tsitsikamma National Park and end at The Fernery at Forest Ferns.
For those hikers who know the rigours of the Otter Trail, and for those who have never had the luck or the courage to hike it, why not take a well earned break and come and enjoy the unrivalled beauty and luxury of the Dolphin ...
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Hiking in the Robberg Nature Reserve
Where? Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route.
Robberg Nature Reserve is a charged booster of outdoor living - incredible scenery, views over shoreline and sea, a thriving Cape fur seal colony, a huge diversity of bird life, and uniquely beautiful fynbos.
You have access ...
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Hiking the Robberg Peninsula
Where? Start and finish at the parking area at the Robberg Peninsula Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
Start: parking area at the Robberg Peninsula Nature Reserve
Finish: parking area
Duration: three circular routes, ranging from 2 km to 11 km
Fitness: the 11 km route is challenging
Our tip: take your camera, do the hike in ...
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Hiking Trails in Still Bay
Where? Visit the Stilbaai Tourism office for directions.
A highlight of a visit to Still Bay (also known as Stilbaai) is the Noordkapper Hiking trail which follows the coastline to Jongensfontein, one of the two villages (the other is Melkhoutfontein) just outside Stilbaai, home to the ...
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Hunter Gatherer Hike
Where? Boggomsbaai, Garden Route
Start: Boggomsbaai, Garden Route
Finish: Gouritz
Duration: daily distances vary; 12km - 20km
Fitness: relatively fit if you are going to tackle the five days
Our tip: the slackpacker version includes all meals and ...
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Kingfisher Trails
Where? Start at the Wilderness National Park near the Touws River bridge, Garden Route
Start: Wilderness National Park near the Touws River bridge
Duration: varying between 3.8 km and 10 km
Fitness: easy and pefect for children or elderly people
Our tip: don't walk during wet weather as the river tends to flood ...
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Koumashoek Circuit
Where? Ruiterbos Area on the Robinson Pass, Between Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn, Western Cape
The Koumasoek Circuit is a hiking trail for the fit and experienced hiker, due to its arduous and long trail. With steep climbs and 14.7 km long length, this trail is not for the faint-hearted, although the natural beauty of ...
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Kranshoek Coastal Hiking Trail
Where? Start and finish at Kranshoek picnic site, Kranshoek Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay
Please Note: The Kranshoek Coastal Hiking Trail is currently closed due to fire damage.
Start: Kranshoek picnic site, Kranshoek Nature Reserve
Finish: Kranshoek picnic site
Duration: 9 km, 5 hours
Fitness: fit (this is a ...
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Mossel Bay Historic Walk
Where? Start at the Mossel Bay Tourism office, Mossel Bay, Garden Route
Put on your walking shoes and discover the historical buildings and facts in the Old Quarter of Mossel Bay. You can pick up a map at the Mossel Bay Tourism office that will mark all the historical buildings along Mossel Bay's ...
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Outeniqua Hiking Trail
Where? 1-7 days long, depending, 108 kms altogether
Set in the gorgeous Garden Route, this one of the most popular hikes, and one of the oldest.
A seven-day trail in its entirety it starts at Beervlei Hut, an old forest station, and finishes at Harkerville hut near another ...
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Perdekop Hiking Trail
Where? Harkerville Forest Station, Harkerville, Garden Route
Start: Harkerville Forest Station
Finish: Harkerville Forest Station
Duration: 9.5 km, roughly 4 hours, a circular route
Fitness: you need to be able to finish the hike, but it isn't difficult
Our tip: there are pale yellow ...
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Point Circuit
Where? Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route.
Along the Robberg Nature Reserve in Plettenberg Bay you can take part in a 9.2 kilometer Point Circuit trail that will allow you to explore the nature reserve and see all its wonders.
Discover the magnificent rock pools and ...
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Point of Human Origins Experience
Where? Tours begin at the Pinnacle Point Beach & Golf Resort’s reception building on Pinnacle Point Road, Mossel Bay, Garden Route
"We know from genetic research that all people alive today are descendants of the core population of less than a thousand individuals who lived in Africa between 150 000 and 200 000 years ago – and what we've found here shows ...
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Point Shack Trail
Where? Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route, South Africa
The Robberg Nature Reserve is perched along the Garden Route at Plettenberg Bay, and is a fabulous hub of natural beauty and exciting species.
The Point Shack was situated on the eastern point of the reserve, showing off the ...
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Salt River Mouth Hiking Trail
Where? Start and finish near the tea room in Natures Valley, Tsitsikamma.
You need to collect a permit at the office at De Vasselot campsite.
Start: near the tea room in Natures Valley
Finish: circular route
Duration: 5 kms
Fitness: moderate
Our tip: get your map and permit from the office at De Vasselot campsite
Natures Valley takes you into the heart of the ...
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St Blaize Hiking Trail
Where? Road shuttle services are available to meet you and return you to your vehicle by prior arrangement. Please contact them on the numbers provided below:
The Garden Route, specifically the area around Mossel Bay, is home to the breath-taking vistas offered by the St. Blaize Hiking Trail. This trail begins at the cave just below the St. Blaize Lighthouse and extends for 13.5 ...
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Storms River Walks and Hikes
Where? Storms River Village, Tsitsikamma, Garden Route
Start: Storms River village
Finish: Storms River village
Duration: 4 km to 8 km
Fitness: easy to moderate
Our tip: the Baz bus stops in the village, for those without transport
The village of Storms River is often confused ...
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Terblans Hiking Trail
Where? Start at Grootdraai picnic site, Knysna, Garden Route
Terblans Hiking Trails is a circular day walk that is perfect for the whole family, due to its ease and relatively short length of 3 hours in all.
The trail traverses the Gouna indigenous forest, and crosses areas of the home ...
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The Elephant Walk
Where? Diepwalle Forest Station, near Knysna, Garden Route
Start: Diepwalle Forest Station, near Knysna
Finish: Diepwalle Forest Station
Duration: 20 km, roughly 7 hours
Fitness: moderate
Our tip: you can get your walking permit from the office at Diepwalle
Also known as the ...
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The Harkerville Hike
Where? Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
The two day Harkerville hike starts gently; following paths through the forest that criss cross over horse and bike trails. However, the hard work starts as you reach the chain section. Not for the faint hearted, the rock face ...
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Tsitsikamma Hiking Trails
Where? Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve, Storms River camp
Start: Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve, Storms River camp
Finish: Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve, Storms River camp
Duration: 1 km to 6 km
Fitness: easy to moderate
Our tip: you don't need permits to do these walks, although you will ...
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Tsitsikamma Mountain Trail
Where? Lottering Forestry Station, Tsitsikamma
The Green Flag Certified Tsitiskamma trail is the first officially accredited hiking trail and will take you through mountain fynbos and the green, flourishing forests. The ancient river gorges and abundance of rivers and streams ...
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Walking Keurboomstrand
Where? Start and finish at the parking lot at the wooden boardwalk, Keurboomstrand, Garden Route
Start: At the parking lot at the wooden boardwalk, Keurboomstrand
Finish: back where you started
Duration: about 3 km one way, although you can also head up to the cliff path above the beach
Fitness: easy walking fitness; if ...
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Woodville Forest Walk
Where? Off R102 from George towards Knysna, Hoekwil, Garden Route
Woodville Forest Walk is a circular route that takes about 1.5 hours to complete. It is an easy walk and suitable for the whole family. The main attraction along this beautiful route is the ‘Big Tree’.
This fossil is a ...
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Cadeau Hiking Trails
Where? Farm Cadeau, Robbehoek, Witelsbos, Tsitsikamma, Garden Route / Eastern Cape
Start: Cadeau
Finish: Cadeau
Duration: two one-day guided trails for groups of no more than 12
Fitness: an average five hour hike each day along the coastline; some of the walking is technical
Our tip: these hikes are a ...
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De Vasselot Hikes of the Tsitsikamma
Where? De Vasselot Nature Reserve, Natures Valley, Tsitsikamma, Garden Route
Start: De Vasselot Nature Reserve, Nature's Valley
Finish: De Vasselot Nature Reserve, Nature's Valley
Duration: 4.8 to 17 km
Fitness: easy to difficult
Our tip: stay overnight in Nature's Valley
De Vasselot lies on the ...
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Eden to Addo Hike
Where? The hike starts in Knysna and ends in Addo.
The Eden to Addo hike is considered by some as the longest, if not the toughest hiking trail in South Africa. Regarded as a 'mega' hike, the Eden to Addo entails an 18-day haul from Knysna to Addo and the Addo Elephant National ...
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Fourcade Trail
Where? You will need to obtain a permit from the Witelsbos Forest Station before you can commence this trail. Find this station when you turn off the N2 after travelling 11km east from the Storms River bridge.
Set aside two full days to complete the Fourcade Trail which is a circular route that is 24km long. The trail was opened in 1991 and departs from the depot next to the forest below Witelskop and since it is a circular route you ...
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Hike the Dolphin Trail
Where? Start at Tsitsikamma National Park and end at The Fernery at Forest Ferns.
For those hikers who know the rigours of the Otter Trail, and for those who have never had the luck or the courage to hike it, why not take a well earned break and come and enjoy the unrivalled beauty and luxury of the Dolphin ...
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Hike the Otter Trail
Where? Hike the Otter Trail, From Storms River Mouth to Nature's Valley in the Tsitsikamma National Park, Garden Route, South Africa
The Otter Trail follows the magnificent Garden Route coastline from Storms River Mouth to Nature's Valley in the Tsitsikamma National Park.
The trail is 42,5 kms long and takes 4 to 5 days to complete. The Otter Trail follows ...
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Kalander Kloof Hiking Trail
Where? Natures Valley, Tsitsikamma, Garden Route, South Africa
Nature’s Valley is, undoubtedly, one of the natural gems of South Africa. Its peaceful ambience and breath-taking beauty is simultaneously humbling and awe-inspiring, bearing testament to the natural wealth of South Africa. ...
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Salt River Mouth Hiking Trail
Where? Start and finish near the tea room in Natures Valley, Tsitsikamma.
You need to collect a permit at the office at De Vasselot campsite.
Start: near the tea room in Natures Valley
Finish: circular route
Duration: 5 kms
Fitness: moderate
Our tip: get your map and permit from the office at De Vasselot campsite
Natures Valley takes you into the heart of the ...
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Stinkhoutkloof Hike
Where? Bloukrans Forest Station, Tsitsikamma forest, Garden Route / Eastern Cape
Start: Bloukrans Forest Station, Tsitsikamma forest, between Plettenberg Bay and Humansdorp
Finish: Bloukrans Forest Station, Tsitsikamma forest
Duration: 8 km
Fitness: easy to moderate
Our tip: no need to book this trail, ...
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Storms River Walks and Hikes
Where? Storms River Village, Tsitsikamma, Garden Route
Start: Storms River village
Finish: Storms River village
Duration: 4 km to 8 km
Fitness: easy to moderate
Our tip: the Baz bus stops in the village, for those without transport
The village of Storms River is often confused ...
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The Storms River Suspension Bridge
Where? Tsitsikamma National Park, Storms River, Tsitsikamma.
The suspension bridge that hangs over the red-brown waters of the Storms River Mouth spans 77 metres and remains one of the most popular tourist attractions of the Tsitsikamma region of the Eastern Cape. Situated within the ...
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Tsitsikamma Hiking Trails
Where? Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve, Storms River camp
Start: Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve, Storms River camp
Finish: Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve, Storms River camp
Duration: 1 km to 6 km
Fitness: easy to moderate
Our tip: you don't need permits to do these walks, although you will ...
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Tsitsikamma Mountain Trail
Where? Lottering Forestry Station, Tsitsikamma
The Green Flag Certified Tsitiskamma trail is the first officially accredited hiking trail and will take you through mountain fynbos and the green, flourishing forests. The ancient river gorges and abundance of rivers and streams ...
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Tsitsikamma Trail
Where? Natures Valley, Nature's Valley, South Africa
It is no wonder that South Africa’s first officially accredited hiking trail is also one of its most beautiful. The two- to six-day Tsitsikamma Trail has been recognised for its natural beauty, safety, biodiversity, and superior ...
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Rust-en-Vrede Waterfall
Where? Rust-en-Vrede Waterfall, R328, 8km outside Oudtshoorn en route to Cango Caves, Klein Karoo, Western Cape
Rust-en-Vrede taken from the Afrikaans expression for 'rest and peace' is true to its translation in setting. Indigenous plants and animal life flanks a trail of bridges and paths that lead you up the Swartberg Mountains to a ...
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