One of the Garden Route’s most appealing features is the wide range of walks and hikes through the forest, along the coast, into canyons and up mountains. This year, South Africa’s first dedicated walking festival will be held along the Garden Route this Easter, a time for celebrating family, nature, the outdoors, community and walking.
The Garden Route Walking Festival, which comprises 52 different walks over 5 days, clearly has something for everyone and ranges from George (near our Vic Bay Backpackers), through Wilderness and Sedgefield, Knysna, our Plettenberg Bay and the Tsitsikamma area. Each area has something special to offer and caters for all levels of fitness with a variety of walks ranging from easy to strenuous.
View the full programme
Some Plett walks to look out for over the weekend:
Friday 25th March 2016:
Kranshoek View Site Walk:
1st Stage: Level walk along coast through the fynbos to the view site and back – approx 40 mins.
2nd Stage: Gentle walk through the forest and back – approx 40 mins
Nature’s Valley:
Stage 1:Park at the top Groot rivier pass at the entrance de vasselot nature reserve. Walk along the ridge through beautiful fynbos to the view over nature’s valley and return. Approx 40 mins
Stage 2: Drive down to the river to walk among the giant yellow woods.
WESSA Frog Walk:
A walk down the lagoon looking for frogs
Aardtmoeders Land Art & Sundowners:
Visit the incredible community at Kranshoek and take a stroll down to the coast. Bring along your favourite drink and enjoy the sunset at the Eden to Addo Aartmoeders elephant rocks.
Harkerville Forest Walk:
This route takes us through the famous Harkerville Forest where we find delightful, huge, old Stinkwood and Yellowwood trees, amongst others. The trail also takes from dry forest areas to wet forest areas inhabited by a splendid display of well-established Tree ferns.
Saturday 26th March 2016:
Kranshoek View Site Walk:
1st stage: Level walk along coast through the Fynbos to the view site and back – approx 40 mins.
2nd stage: Gentle walk through the forest and back – approx 40 mins
Salt River Meander:
A gentle meander along the Salt River and up to the view-site
Sunday 27th March 2016:
Salt River Meander:
A gentle meander along the Salt River and up to the view-site
Robberg Point Walk:
Robberg Nature Reserve offers a variety of plant,bird, mammal and marine life to the visitor which is complimented by breath taking views of Plettenberg Bay,Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Indian Ocean.
As an experienced nature guide I will be able to provide interesting information on the fauna,flora,geological and archaeological,historical interests of Robberg Nature Reserve to enhance your experience.
Robberg Point Walk is 9.2km
Brown-hooded Kingfisher Trail:
About 6km there and back in riverine forest along the Duiwe and Klein Keurbooms Rivers, finishing at a pool and waterfall. Good birding opportinities. There is a path throughout, with some short slopes and river crossings.
Kids Pirate Beach Walk:
About 6km there and back in riverine forest along the Duiwe and Klein Keurbooms Rivers, finishing at a pool and waterfall. Good birding opportinities. There is a path throughout, with some short slopes and river crossings.
Nature’s Valley to Robberg Rocks:
An extreme beach walk including forest, swimming and the entire length of Nature’s Valley, Keurboomstrand and Robberg beaches in one day. Tea stops and lunch breaks along the way at restaurants. +/- 28km a worthwhile adventure! Walkers will need to swim to cross lagoon. Very early start. Late finish.
Plettenberg Bay Heritage Walk:
Discover the fascinating history of Plettenberg Bay. A gentle stroll with excellent guide.
A Vertical Walk – Abseil:
A chance to abseil and “walk vertically” down the cliffs of Salt River. A wild out there adventure for the whole family.
Sunset Saunter on Robberg Beach:
The easiest walk offered, a gentle saunter from Sanctuary Beach on Robberg to the Robberg rocks and back. Bring a drink and toast to life.
Monday 28th March 2016:
Birding Walk:
The walk will start at the Nature Valley Campsite where we will do some birding in the campsite and then walk a section of the a known trail in the Forest.
This will consist of forest birding and bird species such as Yellow-throated Woodland Warblers, Cape Batis, Knysna Turaco,Black backed Puffback, Green-backed Cameropteras, Bar-throated Apalis, Chorister Robin- Chats, Lemon Doves and Terrestrial Brownbuls can be seen to name a few.
The will be no entrance fee to the De Vasselot Campsite, but there will be a daily fee per person if you decide to have a picnic or braai in the campsite.
The distance will cover approximately 4km.
Robberg Gap Trail:
The Robberg Peninsula is not only a Nature Reserve but a Marine Protected area and a National monument, which is situated approximately 8km South of Plettenberg Bay.
Robberg Nature Reserve offers a variety of plant,bird, mammal and marine life to the visitor which is complimented by breath taking views of Plettenberg Bay,Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Indian Ocean.
As an experienced nature guide I will be able to provide interesting information on the fauna,flora,geological and archaeological,historical interests of Robberg Nature Reserve to enhance your experience.
Robberg Gap Trail is 2.1 km and takes approximately 2 hours to complete.
Qolweni Quest Walk:
A walk through Qolweni with local guide reveals a day in the life of this township’s residents.
Peak Formosa:
A full day experience and tough climb with exposure in places. Stand on the summit of the highest peak in the region and the Tsitsikamma mountains and view the entire expanse of the Garden Route. Lead by Festival Founder Galeo Saintz
Whiskey Creek:
An adventure into Whiskey Creek in the Crags.
Tuesday 29th March 2016:
Vineyards and Wine Walk at Bramon:
The Crags is wine country on the Garden Route, some and walks through the vineyards and taste the magic of the vine.
High Tea Walk through Redford Conservancy
A circular walk on a clover leaf route through the Redford House Estate ending with tea under the branches of oak trees.
Contact us for more information and availability during this time: bookings@amakaya.co.za