There are a number of hiking trails between Knysna and the Tsitsikamma. The most famous of these is the Otter Trail extending from Storms River Mouth to Nature's Valley. A hike on this trail must be booked through the Tsitsikamma National Park well in advance. In this guide you will find details on specific day walks in this region.
PLEASE NOTE:
1. Remember to take proper precautions on all walks and trails. These should include providing good, comfortable walking shoes, water, food (if the trail is longer than two hours), binoculars, a hat and a warm jacket (particularly in winter).
2. The trails are graded according to difficulty. Do not attempt a difficult walk if you are unfit or not a competent walker.
3. Each walk is well set out and easy to follow. Keep alert and follow the routes and you will not get lost. Look out for the footprints or symbols on each walk.
4. It is not advisable to walk any route alone. Even avid walkers can have an accident.
5. Please do not litter on any trail. Keep your rubbish including cigarette stubs with you until you reach a bin. ENJOY YOUR WALK!
1. Arch Rock Walk
Walk to the Arch Rock, Cathedral Rock and the recently discovered Strandloper Cave. Many visitors to the area drive for miles to see this natural wonder but few know its tale. Many confuse Arch Rock with Cathedral Rock and you can't blame them, but the truth be known that the larger of the two arched rocks is actually Cathedral Rock. You would have to pass underneath Arch Rock, cross the Matjies River to get to Cathedral Rock - a fact has been somewhat blurred over the years.
Here is a tide chart to plan your trip and for your safety on our beaches.
MILKWOOD SCENIC TRAIL
Grade: Easy
Time: 1 hour or 2 hours
Distance: 3kms or 5 kms
Features: Forest, beaches, wetlands, historical and scenic town sites.
Permits: None
These routes can be started at any point along the trail. Follow the yellow footprints as the trail takes you past many historical and interesting sites. This unique trail highlights the ecological beauty within this town. En-route are various restaurants to stop for tea or lunch. For more indepth info on the trail, contact the Info Centre.
Click on "No 3" on the maps above for a detailed map
GARDEN OF EDEN WALK
Walk in the forest and experience the beautiful plant life.
Very easy walk. (on N2 to knysna)
SOUT RIVER TRAIL
Natures Valley.
A beautiful and fairly easy walk to at low tide
ROBBERG NATURE RESERVE
Please note:
Trails may be closed at certain times of the year depending on the weather conditions.
Help us protect nature: no pets, fire arms, picking of flowers or collection of seeds allowed.
Gap Circuit
This is the shortest route on the reserve. In this Cretaceous mudstone cleft is clear-cut and fascinating evidence of the break-up of Gondwanaland.
The route is circular and runs clockwise. Remember to take water along.
Grade: Easy to difficult
Time: 45min, 2 hours or 4 hours
Distance: 2.2kms, 5.6kms and 9.2kms
Features: Coastal escarpments, geological
highlights, fynbos, dolphins and whales.
Permits: Obtained at entrance gate.
The Robberg Peninsula has 3 circular trails. One can enjoy the large variety of coastal dune fynbos and rich marine life. The Informative Board describes the geological evolution of the Robberg. It is advisable to do this walk in cooler weather. Follow the "seal" markers.
VALLEY OF FERNS
A beautiful picnic site in the mountains between Wittedrift + Knysna.
KRANSHOEK COASTAL WALK
Grade: Fairly difficult
Time: 2 hours or 5 hours
Distance: 3 kms or 9 kms
Features: Forests, pine plantation, fynbos, coastal escarpment, rocky beach.
Permits: None. Please sign visitors book. Open 6am to 6 pm.
The walk is in the Kruisfontein State Forest. The route begins near the map at the picnic site. Follow the white footprints painted on trees and rocks. Once on the beach look out for paths on your left which return to the parking area.
HIKERS PARADISE TRAILS
Grade: Easy to difficult
Time: 45 min, 2hours, 3 hours or 4 hours
Distance: 2 kms, 3.5 kms, 5 kms or 7 kms
Features: Fynbos, rocky sea shores, coastal escarpment, tiergat with stalactites and stalagmites, spectacular views, dolphin & whale viewing.
Permits: None.
An entrance fee is payable at the entrance gate. The 4 circular trails are on a private farm. Only guided hikes are allowed and these hikes start at 10h00 daily (except Sundays). Hikers interested in joining these hikes must phone tel 044-5331760 for reservations. One can enjoy the large variety of fynbos, rich marine life, caves with stalactites and stalagmites, and spectacular views and have the assistance of a guide. All routes begin and end at the parking area.
NATURE'S VALLEY NETWORK
Grade: Moderate to fairly difficult
Features: Mountain scenery, fynbos, indigenous forest, optional equipment porterage
2-6 days
60kms
Permits: Free. De Vasselot campsite.
This network has numerous trails ranging in difficulty and length. Maps and information on birds and trees can be obtained at the campsite. Choose your walk carefully according to your own ability. A special place of interest and beauty is the Salt River mouth (where one may picnic and swim). The Kalander Kloof trail has magnificent big yellowwood trees and one may be lucky enough to spot the elusive Narina Trogan. Paths are well defined and junctions are clearly signposted. It is advisable to walk the coastal routes at low tide. The forest routes can become slippery after heavy rainfall. This is a hiker's and bird watcher's paradise with its diversity of fauna and flora. Viewpoints offer breathtaking views of the coastline and distant mountains.
STINKHOUTKLOOF TRAIL
Grade: Moderate
Time: 3 hours
Distance: 8.4kms
Features: Pine plantations, forests, valleys and streams
Permits: Sign book at forest station
Park at the Bloukrans Forest Station. The initial walk is along forest roads. The route crosses the N2 and winds through indigenous forest and river valleys lined with spectacular tree ferns. The paths are well marked with yellow footprints painted on rocks and trees.