General Walks and Hikes in the Knysna Sedgefield
Title | Description | Location | Address | Organizer | Organizer Tel | Organizer Email |
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Birdwatching | 7am - 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 | SANParks | 044 302 5600 | grace.valela@sanparks.org | |
Grootdraai Picnic Site | 8am - 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 Forest | Gouna, Knysna Forest | SANParks | 044 302 5600 | grace.valela@sanparks.org |
Dal Van Varings Picnic Site | 8am - 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 Forest | Diepwalle Forest | SANParks | 044 302 5600 | grace.valela@sanparks.org |
Spitskop View Point: take a drive | 7am - 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 Forest | Diepwalle Forest | SANParks | 044 302 5600 | grace.valela@sanparks.org |
Forest Legends Museum | 8am -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 Forest | Diepwalle Forest | SANParks | 044 302 5600 | grace.valela@sanparks.org |
King Edward VII – Big Tree | 8am - 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 Forest | Diepwalle Forest | SANParks | 044 302 5600 | grace.valela@sanparks.org |
Outeniqua Hiking Trail | 7am - 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 Park | Garden Route National Park | SANParks | 044 302 5600 | grace.valela@sanparks.org |
Petrus-se-Brand Mountain Bike Route: 24km | 7am - 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 Forest | Diepwalle Forest | SANParks | 044 302 5600 | grace.valela@sanparks.org |
Elephant Trails : walk / run 7, 8 or 9km | 8am - 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 Forest | Diepwalle Forest | SANParks | 044 302 5600 | grace.valela@sanparks.org |
Garden of Eden: ± 1km, wheelchair-friendly | 7am - 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 Forest | Harkerville Forest | SANParks | 044 302 5600 | grace.valela@sanparks.org |
Harkerville Mountain Bike Routes : 11, 13, 14 or 22km | 8am - 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 Forest | Harkerville Forest | SANParks | 044 302 5600 | grace.valela@sanparks.org |
Kranshoek Fynbos Trail: 1 km, easy to moderate | 7am - 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 Forest | Harkerville Forest | SANParks | 044 302 5600 | grace.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 Forest | Harkerville Forest | SANParks | 044 302 5600 | grace.valela@sanparks.org |
Perdekop Trail: 9,5km, easy to moderate | Perdekop 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 Forest | Harkerville Forest | SANParks | 044 302 5600 | grace.valela@sanparks.org |
Harkerville Coastal Hiking Trail: 26km, overnight | 7am - 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 Forest | Harkerville Forest | SANParks | 044 302 5600 | grace.valela@sanparks.org |
Thesen Island Heritage Walking Tour | 10am - 12pm Meet at SANParks jetty, Seahorse viewing at SANParks offices, visit the Old Power Station & Boatshed. | Thesen Island |