Garden Route Walking Festival

Festival Programme

MAKE YOUR 2020 EASTER WEEKEND ONE TO REMEMBER. . .

We are currently planning for the 2020 Hi-Tec Garden Route Walking Festival.

While we update our programme for 2020, please consider browsing the wide selection of over 52 FREE or PROFESSIONALLY GUIDED walks we had on the programme in 2019 to get an idea of the walks and trails we are likely to feature.

From easy walks that are family friendly to extreme mountain peaks for the more adventurous. Everyone is welcome.

Walks by Date

Choose your walks listed by date and day.

Walks by Area

Choose your walks listed by area and town.

National Parks

Walks in the Garden Route National Park.

Garden Route Walks and Trails

The Garden Route is one of the world’s great walking destinations. Its pristine beaches, rocky coastlines, amazing forests,
mountain peaks and engaging communities, make it the ideal location for an Easter Weekend adventure.

ABOUT THE WALKING FESTIVAL

Welcome to the Garden Route where we love trails and love walking.

Hi-Tec is synonymous with walking and hiking in South Africa. Together we are proud to offer visitors and locals alike, SA’s only walking festival.

The Garden Route is home to our country’s most famous trails – the Otter Trail, the Tsitsikamma Trail and the Oystercatcher Trail to name a few.

Our dedicated team is working hard to ensure you enjoy a fun and inspiring festival in 2019. Read the FAQs below and contact us if you have any questions.

INTERVIEW WITH CAPE TALK RADIO Learn more about the festival in this radio interview with festival founder, Galeo Saintz.

SUPPORT NATURE AND ENJOY GREAT WALKS

A majority of the walks are FREE to join, while the professionally guided walks have different rates per person. It is FREE to register for the festival.

Instead we encourage you to make a donation to one of the non-profit nature charities working on the Garden Route, who protect and conserve our beautiful region.

Join our special COASTAL CLEAN-UP WALKS and help us make a difference to our coastline. Great prizes to be won for those who attend.

“This was a well organised festival with a tremendous variety
of walks in some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere.

It is well worth travelling to the Garden Route for a few days
to experience its wonders.”

– Robert K Berry

Some Festival Highlights

Secret Sunrise Dance – Robberg

Help raise funds for marine conservation in this awesome beach dance walk mobile Secret Sunrise event.

Read more +

Kids Coastal Pirate Walk

A Robinson Crusoe style beach walk for kids. Come dressed as pirates and win a prize as we adventure along.

Read more +

Point of Human Origins

Visit world-renowned archaeological site with early evidence for modern human behaviour.

Read more +

Nature’s Vally to Keurbooms

An extreme inspiring coastal walk with spectacular sea landscapes, including forest, rock pools and stretches of pristine beach.

Read more +

Hi-Tec Beach Clean-up Walks

What it’s about

This year the festival is proud to again host 3 Coastal Clean-Up Walks.

Too much plastic and litter on our coast is not cool. This is a chance for walkers and lovers of the outdoors to give back and to help pick it up.

When & Where

Clean-Up Walk starts at 8:30 for 9:00 and take place:

Mossel Bay – click for details
Knysna / Brenton – click for details
Nature’s Valley – click for details

What you need

Bring a spirit of fun. A pair of gardening gloves or others to handle the more unpleasant trash.

A sandwich or two, sun hat, water and willing hands to help carry what we pick up along the way.

“Fabulous long weekend of exciting walks.
Had a blast. It was awesome!”

– Jacqui Campbell-Morris

Information for Walkers

All walkers, please note important points below:

Can walkers really win prizes valued at R20,000?

All registered walkers who take part in any walks stand a chance to win amazing prizes from Hi-Tec. T&C’s apply.
How do I sign-up for a walk?

Click on the Walks by Date page and then choose the day and walks you would like to do. Most of the festival walks are free – thanks to amazing volunteer Walk Leaders, while others are offered by Professional Guides and require a fee.

Once you have selected your walks, and you Place Your Order, you will then receive an email invoice with payment details. The FREE Walks will be confirmed immediately and any walks requiring payment will only be confirmed once you have made payment.

Easy. Have fun selecting your favourite walks. . .
Why a donation and no registration fee?

We want everyone to participate – So we got rid of the registration fee. We encourage all walkers instead to make a donation to any one of the listed Garden Route nature charities we support – click here for list of festival charities. Choose a nature cause and select your donation amount when you make your walk booking.

The festival is about giving back and sharing. Sharing the trails of the region with friends and visitors while exploring the magic of the region’s pristine nature and helping conservationists to keep our nature protected and conserved.

The Garden Route National Park and the CapeNature reserves are where a majority of our walks take place.

Make Donations Here:

ACCOUNT NAME: Walking Festival

ACCOUNT TYPE: Current Account

BANK NAME: NEDBANK

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1046526561
How difficult are the walks?

The walks range from easy to strenuous.

EASY – Mainly flat walking, on paths with good surfaces. No climbing, minimal or no steps.

MODERATE – Varying landscape with more challenging slopes. Steps to be expected. Suitable for keen walkers and anyone who is reasonably active. Still we take leisurely walking pace with brief rest stops.

STRENUOUS – A challenging walk suitable for very fit walkers with some experience. Steep gradients, steps and uneven surfaces to be expected, may include light scramble. This grade applies to the pea climbs such a George Peak or Peak Formosa.
How are walks guided?

Walks are led either by volunteer Walk Leaders or by Professional Guides, who make a living sharing their knowledge and expertise of the region.

Professionally guided walks may include a guiding fee, all relevant costs are indicated in the walk programme.

This is a community event in support of nature, the more people involved the more fun it will be and we can build a stronger community happily sharing the natural beauty we have on our trails across the Garden Route.
What must I bring on a walk?

All walkers to bring the following with them on the day:

– Hat

– Drinking water 1 – 2 liters

– Sunblock

– Own snacks and food for lunch

– Sturdy walking shoes

– Rain gear in case of weather change (Hi-Tec has some excellent apparel available, which can be bought online and collected at the start of certain walks)

– Cash for any permit fees if indicated

– Enthusiasm and adventurous spirit!

It is recommended to use comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear for all walks.
What happens if I need to cancel a walk?
If you need to cancel OR change your walk booking:
1. Please email us directly.
2. Please note there will be no refund for paid walks if cancelled after 18 April 2019.
3. If it is a free walk, you still need to cancel so that we can give your place to others who may be on a waiting list. You can cancel via the WhatsApp group that will be created for each walk.
4. If your walk needs to be cancelled due to weather we cannot guarantee a refund – we will engage with your walk leader on your behalf, but many are unable to refund due to weather and may rather reschedule your walk date.

How do I get to the start of a walk?

Please note the directions indicated on the walk info page. We suggest you print this page and keep it as a reference.

If you need a lift to the start of your walk, we will help you find a lift with other participants.

Once you have booked your walk – you will be added to a WhatsApp Group for that walk 2 days before the start of the walk.
Must I sign an indemnity form?

All walks are undertaken at a walker’s own risk. All walkers and participants are required to complete an indemnity form and agree to the terms and conditions of the festival, its associates and volunteer walk leaders. Please click here to read the indemnity conditions.
Can I bring my dog?

Many of the walks take place in areas where dogs are not allowed.

That said, we do have some dog specific walks – please see the walks list for details. All dogs will require a leash.
How do I stay connected for updates and news?

Follow us on Facebook or on Instagram to stay updated or subscribe to our email newsletter at the bottom of each web page, for all the festival details.