Top Things to do in Garden Route
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Things to do in Garden Route, Garden Route: The Best Outdoor Activities
Discover the best top things to do in Garden Route, South Africa including Attaquaskloof Hiking Trail, Garden Route Trail, Perdepoort Horse Tails, Terblans Nature Walk, Otter Trail, Robinson Pass, Swartberg Pass, The Dolphin Trail, Plettenberg Beach, St. Blaize Trail.
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1. Attaquaskloof Hiking Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Though strenuous, this 39 km hiking trail is popular for its magnificent rare orchids, historic mountain passes and idyllic views.
2. Garden Route Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
At Garden Route Trail we offer guided hiking and birding tours in the Garden Route and Karoo. Our flagship is a 5 day slackpacking trail between Wilderness and Brenton on Sea. On request we compile hiking tours between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth and in the Karoo. Our day walks can be focused as Fynbos, Afro-montane Forest, Dune Thicket and coastal walks.
Reviewed By LKPinDC
We were a party of two families including four kids ages 5-10 years old, and we slackpacked with Mark and with the support of Amanda in October 2020. Hands down, amazing trip!! Though we have lived in South Africa for ten years, Mark brought us to gorgeous and varied places we wouldn't have found on our own. The kids were so enthralled with how he brought the flora and fauna to life that they didn't notice how many hours or kilometers they were walking. After we finished the trip, it was rather disappointing to revert to "ask google!", and we all missed Mark's guiding. We appreciated the style of accommodation each evening (comfortable parks self-catering lodges in stunning settings), and we also appreciated Mark and Amanda's cooking.
3. Perdepoort Horse Tails
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
PERDEPOORT HORSE TRAILS. Situated in Wilderness heights, 6km from the village, Perdepoort Horse Trails offer rides on a beautiful 65ha private farm. The trail takes you through the indigenous forest were one passes a giant 400-year-old yellowwood tree watching over the forest. Our horses are the best! Children and novice riders are safe and the more experienced riders can have lots of fun trotting and cantering! Bookings are essential and rides go out at 10:00 and 15:00 every day, weather permitting.
Reviewed By AndreaAloisiaMay - Cape Town Central, South Africa
Amanda and her horses are amazing... she somehow knows exactly which horse will suit you. My horse kroon and my BF’s horse Victor were the perfect match for us. The trail she then took us on was beautiful it felt as though we were transported into another world. So tranquil in the lush forest just what we were looking for to end off or trip up the garden route... Thank you so much Amanda we will definitely be back.
4. Terblans Nature Walk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By mimip670 - Benoni, South Africa
We did the walk this morning with our 2 sons aged 13 and 8. We are fit but our kids are not and they successfully did the walk in over just 2 hours. The forest is just spectacular and the people we met on the walk were kind and friendly. There is only one part that is quite steep but for the rest any able bodied person in good health can do it. Will defenitely be back on a regular basis!
5. Otter Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By belindas731 - Durban, South Africa
Amazing, challenging, adventurous, beautiful! Don’t think you can just get up off the couch and hike the Otter trail - it requires cardio fitness and strong legs and arms to carry the backpack and you up those steep ascents! However, don’t not try if you haven’t had time to train - just take lots of Deep Heat/ Arnica ice and anti-inflamm tabs because you will feel muscles you never thought you had! It’s absolutely worth the effort and worse comes to worse, you take one of the escape routes... you tried! You’ll also need a head for heights as there are a couple of rock climbs that take you up high... all the better to see dear. This was our first Otter Hike for the whole group so we found ourselves chasing low tides on day 3 (Lottering 10:50) and day 4 (Bloukrans 11:30). In the end it was the Kleinbos river (!) which gave us the biggest challenge as the flow of water from upstream was quite strong due to previous days rain. We laughed our way through the other 2 biggies. Every day of the year is going to offer up a different set of weather conditions for river crossings and hiking - be prepared and try reach the big rivers round low tide (it helps take the stress out of the event). But worse comes to worse, take the escape... hey - you’re on the Otter, it’s part of the adventure!! Practical tips: We all had different priorities when it came to luxury ‘necessities’ - some had a small pillow, some binoculars, some whiskey, some goggles & snorkels (or small swimming goggles) - take what will add to the enjoyment of your experience.... just don’t overpack! Don’t share toothpaste or Vaseline with someone sleeping in the other cabin - it’s a schlep. 2 thumbs up for water bladder, but take an empty water bottle for practical use around camp Trek pole - some of the group swore by them and a few put them away. Suggest you take one (safe) and decide on route. Some of us drank the water without purification drops (we only filled up at the huts) and were fine. If in doubt, rather use them. If you like taking photos, carry a pouch around your neck to store your phone in for easy access (but remember to cover it in plastic if it rains or water crossings) Red survival bags for river crossings are so big - we tested 2 backpacks in 1 surv bag across the Bloukrans and it worked fine. Share between 2 and save weight and space on the hike. Bloubaai (Blue Bay) turnoff is now clearly sign marked. Leave your bags on the trail, put your lunch in a small bag and carry it down to the beach. Lovely spot. It’s not a bad thing if you get to the huts early on a few days - you can chill, wash & recover in a beautiful setting. By the way, crows can open your top zipper, open your marshmallow packet and fly off with your booty. Did I mention we saw an Otter?? Day 3 Elandsbos River. JUST DO IT!!
6. Robinson Pass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By CliveR253 - Mossel Bay, South Africa
This hike starts at the top of Robinson Pass, between Oudtshoorn and Mossel Bay. It’s rated as ‘moderate’ difficulty, which it probably is if you are not 57 years old and moderately unfit, like I am. I would rate it a tough walk. Don’t try it alone, the trail is remote and you are almost always the only people on the trail. Wear good non-slip adventure type shoes, a hat and take a hiking stick. You walk through quite a lot of brush, so I would recommend long pants. I carried a couple of bananas, a roast beef and mustard sandwich and 2 liters of water. It’s about 13km long and is going to take you the best part of a day to complete. Start early, you will want to tarry to take photos. I did 5km in and turned around to go back. Thank god I had my trusty walking stick. In some parts I had to clamber over rocks. I would advise against taking the hike after it rained. The trail can get greasy and slippery. The mountains leach water and it stays wet on the sides where the sun does not reach. If you fall off the trail, it’s a long way down. The sides of the mountains are pretty steep - say 60 or 70 degree slopes. It’s a beautiful trail and is still recovering from fire a huge fire in 2019. The flora is breathtaking, I have ever seen such a variety of plants in such a small area. The mountains are majestic and the rock formations are a sight. Didn’t see them but the trail is used by Klipspringer buck, I saw old and fresh spoor. A curious lack of birds, I only heard them singing 3 or 4 times and didn’t see any on my walk. I highly recommend this trail. It’s a challenging hike and the beauty is breathtaking.
7. Swartberg Pass
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,633 reviews
Reviewed By Curiosity28698317309 - Cape Town Central, South Africa
True! one of South Africa’s most beautiful mountain passes, once entering from Prince Albert side you enter into a majestic red Canyon inspired by amazing layered strata and majestic Mountain View’s. As you travel along this well maintained gravel road you ascend into the clouds and look down over a gorgeous scenic, fertile valley below. Along the way stop for your favorite cup of aromatic coffee to take in the fresh mountain zephyrs and watch the ever changing cloud formations as they dance along the mountain tops and pour through the valley openings. Have a farm breakfast at Kobus se gat or stop to view the local talents of Rogers art and photography gallery, where you can enjoy a latte while you watch the swallows build their mud homes beneath the eves of this historical building. A must for sight seers or the avid adventurer.
8. The Dolphin Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Imagine the beauty of the famous Otter Trail, but without heavy backpacks. Join us for 4 days of unspoilt beauty hiking the magnificent Tsitsikamma coast, with 3 nights in charming lodges, all meals inclusive, and accompanied by experienced guides. This experience is memorable and special.
Reviewed By helenhoare - Cape Town, South Africa
Such a treat to have extremely professional and informative guides - Werner and JJ - to shepherd a happy group of two South Africans and eight delightful Germans through the magical Tsitsikamma (place of sparkling waters) National Park. The two day hiking path weaves between ancient indigenous forests, fynbos and the rocky seashore, At the end of each day, we were welcomed at the friendly four star accommodation at "Misty Mountain" and "The Fernery". A supreme experience of a pristine world. Thank you from Christopher and Helen
9. Plettenberg Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 254 reviews
Reviewed By michaelv507
Plettenberg Beach is a must go and see on your journey through the Garden Route, its well look after neat and clean beautiful view from relaxing on the sandy beach. Safe for swimmers and surfers and jet sky as well as boat trips, it was a good mid-day relaxing time for us.
10. St. Blaize Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 254 reviews
Reviewed By JPS594 - Mossel Bay, South Africa
We walked this trail at least once a week. If in the Mossel bay area, its a must do. You can decide how far you want to go, but comfortable walking shoes, water and a hat is necessary. Not for totally unfit walkkers or small children. Pinnacle clubhouse is about half way to Dana bay. You can alsa stop your walk there. Good facilities at the clubhouse. For advice phone +27828039342
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