General Walks and Hikes in the Knysna Sedgefield

TitleDescriptionLocationAddressOrganizerOrganizer TelOrganizer Email
Birdwatching7am - 6pm
More than 280 species of birds are listed in and around Knysna and many water birds abound Thesen Islands, Steenbok Park and along the Knysna River. Forest and fynbos birds can be spotted on the Diepwalle and Harkerville hiking trails, mountain bike trails and at picnic sites.
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/tourism/activities/default.php
Thesen Islands, Steenbok Park and along the Knysna River and Knysna Forest SANParks044 302 5600grace.valela@sanparks.org
Grootdraai Picnic Site8am - 6pm
Located outside Gouna Forest and near the Terblans Trail is Grootdraai Picnic Site, equipped with braai and ablution facilities, a lawn picnic area, picnic benches and fresh water. Entry is free.
Gouna ForestGouna, Knysna ForestSANParks044 302 5600grace.valela@sanparks.org
Dal Van Varings Picnic Site8am - 5pm
Simply translated as The Valley of the Ferns, this magic stop speaks for itself. This is a good place for sunny picnic or refreshing walk under the cool green ferns on a small walkway which leads passed an even smaller stream on a miniature 400m route. Entry is free.
Diepwalle ForestDiepwalle ForestSANParks044 302 5600grace.valela@sanparks.org
Spitskop View Point: take a drive7am - 6pm
At 918 meters, Spitskop is the highest accessible peak in the district. An amazing vista in an awesome setting, this view point is a wonderful place to gain some perspective on things.
Entry is free.
Diepwalle ForestDiepwalle ForestSANParks044 302 5600grace.valela@sanparks.org
Forest Legends Museum8am -4pm
The Forest Legends Museum at Diepwalle reveals some of the forest’s best kept secrets. A timeline room helps visitors review the tug of war between exploitation and conservation in these ancient forests while the woodcutter’s room explores the lives and times of the fabled woodcutters of the Knysna forest. The elephant room depicts the story of the Knysna elephant and houses the famous elephant skeleton.
Conservation fees (entry fees) apply.
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/tourism/activities/forest_excursions.php
 
Diepwalle ForestDiepwalle ForestSANParks044 302 5600grace.valela@sanparks.org
King Edward VII – Big Tree8am - 4pm
The King Edward VII Big Tree The Big Tree, also known as the King Edward VII tree, is a famous landmark and visitor attraction near the Diepwalle Forest Station. This giant Outeniqua yellowwood (Podocarpus falcatus) tree is more than 800 years old and is one of the few giant trees left after the unsustainable method of tree harvesting was stopped in 1939.
Conservation fees (entry fees) apply.
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/tourism/activities/forest_excursions.php
Diepwalle ForestDiepwalle ForestSANParks044 302 5600grace.valela@sanparks.org
Outeniqua Hiking Trail7am - 5pm
Outeniqua Hiking Trail 108km The Outeniqua Hiking Trail is a 7 day trail with 7 overnight huts. Hikers don’t need to hike the full 7 day trail but can choose how many sections of the walk they wish to complete. The last 4 days of hiking on the Outeniqua Trail traverse the Knysna area with sleepovers at Rondebossie, Diepwalle, Fisantehoek and Harkerville huts. The trail may only be done in one direction – from west to east.
The terrain rating is easy to difficult. Trail fees and conservation fees apply.
Booking essential. https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/tourism/activities/hiking_nature_walks.php
Garden Route National ParkGarden Route National ParkSANParks044 302 5600grace.valela@sanparks.org
Petrus-se-Brand Mountain Bike Route: 24km7am - 5pm
The Petrus-se-Brand trail is a 24km, linear, mountain bike route starting at the Diepwalle Forest office and ending at the Garden of Eden along the N2 between Knysna and Pletternberg Bay. It offers great forest scenery and exhilarating downhills with ample streams to refill your water bottle. Day, monthly or annual cycling permits are available at the Garden of Eden, Harkerville Office and Knysna Offices.
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/tourism/activities/mountain_bikes.php
Diepwalle ForestDiepwalle ForestSANParks044 302 5600grace.valela@sanparks.org
Elephant Trails : walk / run 7, 8 or 9km8am - 6pm
Elephant Trails
This epic trails follow old woodcutter paths in some part, taking the hiker past some stately Outeniqua Yellowwood trees. The White Elephant is 8km long and has an entic rock pool. The Black Elephant Trail is 9km long and it passes through the King Edward VII picnic site. The Red Elephant Trail is 7km and crosses a little stream exactly halfway which is ideal for a lunch stop.
Conservation fees (entry fees) apply.
Terblanche Trail
This trail is situated in Gouna Forest and is 6.5 km long, it starts and ends at the Grootdraai picnic site. It is excellent for bird watching and has beautiful rock pool for swimming. It takes 3 to 4 hours to complete this trail.
Conservation fees (entry fees) apply.
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/tourism/activities/hiking_nature_walks.php
Diepwalle ForestDiepwalle ForestSANParks044 302 5600grace.valela@sanparks.org
Garden of Eden: ± 1km, wheelchair-friendly7am - 6pm
Garden of Eden | 1km| 30min
The Garden of Eden is situated right on the N2 between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay and provides a great place to stretch your legs and freshen up in the cool, green forest. A short walk follows over 1km of wooden boardwalks and bridges and is wheelchair-friendly.
Conservation fees (entry fees) apply.
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/tourism/activities/hiking_nature_walks.php
Harkerville ForestHarkerville ForestSANParks044 302 5600grace.valela@sanparks.org
Harkerville Mountain Bike Routes : 11, 13, 14 or 22km8am - 6pm
Five distinct routes have been laid out through the indigenous forest, surrounding plantations and coastal fynbos. They are colour coded as such;
Blue Route: 11km | Yellow Route: 13km | Green Route: 14km | Red Route: 22km | Graspad/Black Route: 12km.
All routes are circular. Day, monthly or annual cycling permits are available at the Garden of Eden, Harkerville Office and Knysna Offices.
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/tourism/activities/mountain_bikes.php
Harkerville ForestHarkerville ForestSANParks044 302 5600grace.valela@sanparks.org
Kranshoek Fynbos Trail: 1 km, easy to moderate7am - 6pm
Kranshoek Fynbos Trail | 1km | One-way | Easy | 20 – 30 min
A breath taking fynbos trail which runs along the very edge of the deep valley. Conservation fees (entry fees) apply.
Kranshoek Flora Trail
| 1km | Circular | Easy | 20 – 30 min
Starts and ends at the Kranshoek Picnic Site. A perfect introduction to the wonderful forest environment. Conservation fees (entry fees) apply.
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/tourism/activities/hiking_nature_walks.php
Harkerville ForestHarkerville ForestSANParks044 302 5600grace.valela@sanparks.org
Kranshoek Coastal Day Trail: 9km (moderate to tough)7am - 6pm
Kranshoek Coastal Day Trail | 9km | Moderate – difficult | 4-5 hours
The trail starts at the Kranshoek picnic site at the top of a tall waterfall and winds its way through the lush forest down into the gorge. This is a moderate to difficult trail not suitable for young children or frail people.
Conservation fees (entry fees) apply.
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/tourism/activities/hiking_nature_walks.php
Harkerville ForestHarkerville ForestSANParks044 302 5600grace.valela@sanparks.org
Perdekop Trail: 9,5km, easy to moderatePerdekop Trail | 9.5km | Circular | Easy-moderate | 3-4 hours
7am - 6pm
This Trail is relatively easy and can be completed at a leisurely pace in 3-4 hours. A wonderful natural swimming pool below a waterfall and surrounded by a lush growth of ferns is situated along the route. Conservation fees (entry fees) apply.
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/tourism/activities/hiking_nature_walks.php
Harkerville ForestHarkerville ForestSANParks044 302 5600grace.valela@sanparks.org
Harkerville Coastal Hiking Trail: 26km, overnight7am - 6pm
Harkerville Coastal Hiking Trail 26km
This two day, hiking trail, starts and ends at the Harkerville Forest Office. It passes through some prime examples of high forest, crosses sections of coastal fynbos and takes the hiker along some breath taking natural scenery along a cliff coast with low water pools, eerie coastal caves and pebble beaches. Sleep over at two huts, the Harkerville hut (start or end of the hike) and Sinclair hut (end of first day). Each have basic facilities including ablutions, single bunks with mattresses, water and firewood. Trail fees and conservation fees apply.
Booking essential. https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/tourism/activities/hiking_nature_walks.php
Harkerville ForestHarkerville ForestSANParks044 302 5600grace.valela@sanparks.org
Thesen Island Heritage Walking Tour10am - 12pm
Meet at SANParks jetty, Seahorse viewing at SANParks offices, visit the Old Power Station & Boatshed.
Thesen Island