Adventure
The best hikes on the Garden Route, from one hour to five days
Forest, cliff, beach and mountain, often on the same day. Our pick of the best walks on the Garden Route, sorted by how much time you have.
Our cottages sit on a ridge of forest paths. The nearest trailhead is the front door.
The short answer
The best hikes on the Garden Route include the Robberg peninsula circuit in Plettenberg Bay (about 9 km), the Half-collared Kingfisher Trail to a waterfall in Wilderness (7 to 8 km), the St Blaize Trail along the cliffs of Mossel Bay (about 13.5 km one way), the Storms River Mouth suspension bridge and waterfall walk in Tsitsikamma, forest walks at Diepwalle and Harkerville near Knysna, and the five-day, 45 km Otter Trail from Storms River Mouth to Nature's Valley, which must be booked far in advance.
- Best short walk
- Woodville Big Tree, 40 minutes
- Best day hike
- Robberg peninsula, about 9 km
- Best multi-day
- Otter Trail, 45 km, 5 days
- Best near Wilderness
- Half-collared Kingfisher Trail to the waterfall
- Best season
- March to May and September to November
In this guide
The Garden Route is a walker's coast. Within a single day you can climb through indigenous forest, cross a river on a pontoon, follow a cliff path above a colony of seals and finish on a beach with nobody on it. The trails are well marked, the climate is mild all year and, compared with the mountains of the Western Cape, most walks are gentle.
Here are our favourites, sorted by the time you have.
Short walks: under two hours
Woodville Big Tree
40 minutes · easy · near Hoekwil, 20 minutes from Wilderness
A short loop through the Woodville forest to an Outeniqua yellowwood thought to be about 800 years old and 33 m tall. There is a picnic site at the start. Perfect for an afternoon or with children.
Storms River Mouth suspension bridge
About 1 hour · easy with stairs · Tsitsikamma
A boardwalk through coastal forest to a suspension bridge over the mouth of the Storms River, with waves booming into the gorge. Climb the lookout on the far side for the full view.
Bosduif Loop, Wilderness
About 1 hour · easy
A short forest loop listed on the official Wilderness trail map, ideal for a morning walk with binoculars.
The Map of Africa ridge
As long as you like · easy · on our doorstep
Gravel roads and forest paths along the ridge above the Kaaimans gorge, with the Map of Africa viewpoint at the end. Best at sunrise.
Half-day hikes
Half-collared Kingfisher Trail, Wilderness
7 to 8 km return · 3 to 3.5 hours · easy to moderate
From Ebb and Flow rest camp, across the Touw River on a hand-pulled pontoon and upstream through forest to a waterfall and rock pools. It reopened in July 2026 after storm damage. Combine with a kayak one way if you like. Full guide: kayak to the waterfall.
Pied Kingfisher Trail, Wilderness
10 km circuit · 3 to 4 hours · easy, little shade
A flat loop along the Touw River estuary, through fynbos and back along Wilderness Beach. Excellent for birds. Go early or late in summer.
Gericke's Point, Sedgefield
About 2 to 3 hours · easy · tide-dependent
Walk along the beach from Sedgefield to a headland of fossilised dunes with rock pools and caves. Check the tide table and go on a falling tide.
Full-day hikes
Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay
About 9 km full circuit · 4 to 5 hours · moderate, some scrambling
The best day hike on the Garden Route. A rocky peninsula runs 4 km out into the sea, with a colony of Cape fur seals, a white sand spit called The Island, the archaeological site of Nelson Bay Cave and views over the whole bay. Shorter loops of about 2 and 5.5 km turn back earlier. There is no shade and one section crosses rocks close to the water, so avoid it in big swells and carry plenty of water. Managed by CapeNature; a conservation fee applies.
St Blaize Trail, Mossel Bay
About 13.5 km one way · 4 to 5 hours · moderate
A cliff path from the Cape St Blaize lighthouse and cave in Mossel Bay west to Dana Bay, with the sea crashing below. Arrange a lift back, or walk half and return. Watch for whales in season.
Kranshoek Coastal Walk, near Plettenberg Bay
About 9 km · 4 hours · moderate to strenuous
A loop through the Harkerville section of the Garden Route National Park that drops steeply through forest to a rocky, dramatic coast and climbs back out. Quiet and wild.
Knysna forest: Diepwalle and Harkerville
From 7 km upwards · easy to moderate
The Knysna forest is the largest indigenous forest in South Africa. Diepwalle's colour-coded elephant trails wind through giant yellowwoods and stinkwoods. The forest was once home to about 1,000 elephants; today camera traps record just one, a female known as Strangefoot. You will not see her, but it is still a special place.
Stay where this story happensCome back from the trail to a hot shower, a braai and a view of the sea.Three self-catering places on 21 hectares above Wilderness. Book direct for the best rate.Check dates →
Multi-day hikes
The Otter Trail
45 km · 5 days, 4 nights · strenuous in parts · book far ahead
South Africa's most famous hike follows the Tsitsikamma coast from Storms River Mouth to Nature's Valley, sleeping in huts on the edge of the sea. Highlights include the waterfall on day one, the huts at Scott and Andre, and the Bloukrans River crossing on day four, which you wade (sometimes waist-deep) at low tide. Groups are small and permits are limited; SANParks releases bookings a year ahead and they go quickly. Cancellations for one or two people do come up.
Day walk to the Otter Trail waterfall
About 6 km return · 2 to 3 hours · moderate, rocky
If you cannot get an Otter Trail permit, day visitors to Storms River Mouth can walk the first section of the trail to a waterfall that drops straight onto the beach. It involves boulder hopping, so wear proper shoes.
Mountain hikes
The Outeniqua Mountains behind George offer serious hikes, including routes to George Peak and Cradock Peak. They are long, steep and exposed, and the weather changes quickly. Go with a local guide or club, register your route, and start at first light.
When to hike
The Garden Route has rain in every month, so bring a light rain jacket whatever the season. The most comfortable hiking months are March to May and September to November: mild, fewer people, and in spring the fynbos is in flower. Summer is fine if you start early; winter brings crisp, clear days between cold fronts. See the month-by-month guide.
Safety
- Tell someone your route and expected return time.
- Carry more water than you think; many coastal trails have no shade.
- Check tides for coastal routes, and never turn your back on the sea on rocky sections.
- Save the local emergency numbers: 112 from a mobile phone, 10177 for an ambulance.
- Respect closures after storms. Rivers rise fast in the forest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hike on the Garden Route?
For a day hike, the Robberg peninsula circuit in Plettenberg Bay. For a multi-day trek, the five-day Otter Trail in Tsitsikamma.
How far in advance do I need to book the Otter Trail?
As far as possible. SANParks opens bookings about a year ahead and dates sell out quickly, though one or two places sometimes become available through cancellations.
Are there easy hikes near Wilderness?
Yes. The Brown-hooded Kingfisher Trail, the Woodville Big Tree walk and the Bosduif Loop are short and easy. The Half-collared Kingfisher Trail to the waterfall is longer but mostly gentle.
Do I need a permit to hike in the Garden Route National Park?
For day walks you pay a daily conservation fee at the entrance or rest camp. Overnight trails like the Otter Trail need a booked permit.
When is the best time for hiking on the Garden Route?
March to May and September to November offer mild temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer is good with early starts.
We live on the Garden Route and update this guide every season. Something changed? Tell us.
