Outeniqua Hiking Trail – Wilderness
The Outeniqua Hiking Trail is a 37 kilometres track through the Outeniqua Mountains, beginning at the Witfontein forest station near George and ending at the Diepwalle forest station near Knysna.
There is also the Outeniqua Pass at 799m. The trail has contrasting views of lush greenery and the dry Little Karoo area. Another choice is the Seven Passes Road which used to run between George and Knysna.
Giant yellowwood trees, songbirds, tinkling streams, the largest indigenous forest in South Africa and its legendary elephants – the seven-day Outeniqua Hiking trail has much to offer for seasoned hikers.
Apart from the thrill of seeing 600-year old towering yellowwoods, there are numerous other trees including stinkwood, ironwood, white pear, Cape beech, red alder and Cape holly. Birds to look out for are the Knysna turaco, Narina trogon, red-billed wood hoopoe, olive woodpecker, black-headed oriole and the Cape robin-chats.
Hike through the home of the last group of Knysna elephant and the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains.
Part of the trail passes through the awesome rainforest of Diepwalle and here you’ll be amazed by colourful fungi, lichens and feel dwarfed by huge tree ferns. Vervet monkeys can often be seen clambering in the tree tops and the forest is alive with the sound of birdsong.
The seven-day route starts at Beervlei Forest Station and ends at the Harkerville hut near the Harkerville Forestry Station. Shorter options of this 108 km trail can be done. Overnight huts provide bunk beds, mattresses, firewood and water.
Starting Point Beervlei (Old Forest Station – 8 Overnight Huts)
End Point Harkerville Forestry Station
Distance 108 km
Duration 7 Days
Permit Forestry Office 044 3825466
Features Indigenous forest, giant Yellow wood trees, animal and bird-life
Contact SANParks for bookings and more info +27 (0) 44 302 5606.
Related Articles
