Walks by Day – Monday 13 April
“The whole idea of the festival is wonderful and the guides I interacted with were wonderful too. Their passion and commitment was encouraging.”
– Festival walker from 2019
Walks are listed by day, starting on Easter Friday 10 April and ending on Easter Monday 13 April 2020.
Some walks take place everyday. You can plan by choosing your walks by the day they are listed
or simply scroll through all walks below and book those that excite you the most.
Monday 13 April 2020
or choose another day. . .
Friday 10 April | Saturday 11 April | Sunday 12 April | Walks Repeating Everyday

Walk Details
Early start to this full day adventure to the highest peak in the Tsitsikamma range. A challenging climb with unbelievable views. A fun day out for VERY FIT and EXPERIENCED hikers.
Walk Details
Early start to this full day adventure to the highest peak in the Tsitsikamma range.
A challenging climb with unbelievable views. A fun day out for VERY FIT and EXPERIENCED hikers. Some exposure on one section as we cross the knife-edge, so you need a head for heights. The views over the entire region are incredible and worth the early start. It will take us 4 hours to reach the summit and 3 hours to get back down again. A real adventure for anyone who has always wanted to climb the highest peak in the Tsitsikamma. This is a fundraising climb to raise funds for trail repair and maintenance – please join us.
GRADE: Strenuous and Difficult. Includes a short scramble and edge exposure.
COST: R850pp – is the recommended donation amount for joining this walk, the funds raised go towards trail maintenance projects in the Garden Route. All donations are welcome, so please feel free to make your own donation amount if the recommended amount is not affordable.
BRING: Water, lunch and good hiking boots – like Hi-Tec.
EXTRA NOTES:
This is a walk for fit and experienced hikers.
Please note the start time. We meet at 4:20am to depart from Engen at 4:30 am sharp. We will share details for car-pooling when we meet. The drive to the base of the mountain is 2 hours. We expect to be back in Plett by 5:30pm at the earliest.
DIRECTIONS: Please meet at Engen Garage Plettenberg Bay. That is the one at the bottom of the hill, not the one at the top as you come into Plett. See Google maps below for directions on your phone.
BOOKINGS:
>> Click here to WhatsApp Message the Walk Leader to book your place.
Time
April 5(Monday) 4:30am - April 5(Monday) 5:30pm
Engen Plettenberg BayEngen Garage Plettenberg Bay

Walk Details
This walk will be led by a community initiative, Tsitsi-Tuinier Gardening Club. Our walk will take you around Kurland Village showcasing 10 of our most spectacular (veggie, ornamental and indigenous)
Walk Details
This walk will be led by a community initiative, Tsitsi-Tuinier Gardening Club. Our walk will take you around Kurland Village showcasing 10 of our most spectacular (veggie, ornamental and indigenous) gardens cared for by our club members and Kurland community members.
GRADE: Easy
COST: Charity Donation for NGO leading the walk.
DIRECTIONS: Kurland Village Community Hall, The Crags
EXTRA NOTES: Easy – mainly flat walking, on paths with good surfaces. No climbing, no (or few) steps. Family Friendly, Cultural Interest walk, heritage, culture, history, botany, etc.
BOOKINGS:
>> Click here to WhatsApp Message the Walk Leader to book your place.
>> or call +27 78 760 9627
Walk Leader
Christopher Pluim (Oom Billy)078 760 9627
Time
April 5(Monday) 9:00am - April 5(Monday) 11:00am
Kurland Village Community Hall, The CragsKurland

Walk Details
This is a 2,5 km walk through indigenous forest. An amazing, often unseen, part of the reserve. Traversing down into the valley we first encounter the Buffels River at a
Walk Details
This is a 2,5 km walk through indigenous forest. An amazing, often unseen, part of the reserve. Traversing down into the valley we first encounter the Buffels River at a beautiful, naturally made, rock pool. From here we follow the river exploring the banks, pools, and forest edges as we go. There is always lots to see as the river is full of life. We follow a steep trail back up to the top of the reserve, ending with spectacular views of Robberg Nature Reserve and Plettenberg Bay
GRADE: Moderate – on the go enjoyable
COST: R160 per person including conservation entrance fee to the reserve, a snack pack and cold drink.
BRING: Closed shoes, water, camera, binoculars, mosquito repellent, guide books if you have any.
EXTRA NOTES: A moderate walk, it takes 2,5 to 3 hours and is designed to be an introduction into nature but as a result of your guides knowledge and skills, will be enjoyed by all ages, no matter what your knowledge base of the area is.
DIRECTIONS: Brackenburn Private Nature Reserve, Askop Road, The Crags.
From Plettenberg Bay, travel North on the N2 for approximately 15kms before turning right at Askop Road (signs also say Hog Hollow, The Barnyard). Follow this road for about 2,5km before arriving at the gate of the reserve where you will be met by your guide and shown where to park.
BOOKINGS:
>> Click here to WhatsApp Message the Walk Leader to book your place.
Time
April 5(Monday) 7:30am - April 5(Monday) 10:30am
Brackenburn Private Nature ReserveBrackenburn Private Nature Reserve

Walk Details
This is a vertical walk! Traverse a section of rock with the via ferrata system of ladder like steps, while attached to a steel cable, out to the abseil point.
Walk Details
This is a vertical walk! Traverse a section of rock with the via ferrata system of ladder like steps, while attached to a steel cable, out to the abseil point. This is where your vertical walk begins. Abseil down a 50m sheer rock face onto the banks of an ancient river course. Great views, wide open skies – explore your spirit of adventure. No previous experience needed. Min age 10yrs+.
Booking essential. To book please call Africanyon – 082 323 4349 or visit their website at: www.afriabseil.com to receive the festival half-price special please indicate that you are booking from the Walking Festival.
GRADE: Moderate
TIMES: 08h00 – 10h00, 10h00 – 12h00, 12h00 – 14h00, 14h00 – 16h00
COST: R250.00 per person festival special (half price). Walk leaders are headed up by our professionally trained guides who are fully qualified and SA Tourism registered abseil supervisors. Safety is paramount and your enjoyment key.
BRING: Bring your own lunch, wear sturdy shoes, toilets available, forest, rock pools, age limit to this wak.
EXTRA NOTES: Family Friendly, Swimming – includes place to swim. Minimum Age 10 years+
DIRECTIONS: Directions to follow once booked, The Crags
BOOKINGS:
>> Click here to WhatsApp Message the Walk Leader to book your place.
Time
April 5(Monday) 12:00am - April 5(Monday) 11:59pm
Location
The Crags

Walk Details
The walk is on a privately owned timber farm. It will take you along some of the ridges and into the valleys on the farm. It cuts through some compartments
Walk Details
The walk is on a privately owned timber farm. It will take you along some of the ridges and into the valleys on the farm. It cuts through some compartments as well as over firebreaks and along jeep tracks, with some fantastic views of the hills and valleys in the Wittedrif area. Most newcomers on the farm are amazed to see just how hilly we are and love the views.
The last third of the walk is along a stream, mostly under the canopy of indigenous trees lining the stream. You will see and hear lots of indigenous birds, including Louries, Forest Buzzards and Jackal Buzzards. The stream water is pristine and hikers can fill up their water bottles en route.
The Leermansdrift walk is moderate, with a few fairly strenuous sections. The last third has quite a few stream crossings, so use of a stick or sticks may be advised. Please be aware that this is not a manicured walk, such as those in the Harkerville Forest, but I have taken many groups for walks on the farm without incident.
Although the walk is free, we would appreciate a donation to our local Fire Management Unit, who are the first response to wildfires in our area.
If you can’t get hold of me on my cell, send me a WhatsApp message and I will respond. Cell reception on farm is patchy at best.
GRADE: Moderate to Strenuous +/- 11km and 4.5 hrs
COST: Free, but a donation to the Fire Management Unit would be greatly appreciated.
EXTRA NOTES: Family Friendly. Forest Scenery. Relaxing walk. Suitable for keen walkers and anyone who is reasonably active.
DIRECTIONS: For sake of ease, I will meet hikers where our farm road meets the Stofpad, near Wittedrif at 08H45. Our turnoff is a few meters past that of Quarry Lake, but on the left-hand side of the road. Our turnoff is the last one on the left-hand side before the Stofpad changes to dirt. We will then travel in convoy to where the walk starts.
VERY IMPORTANT: Although our farm road is quite fine for Off-road vehicles, bakkies and even vehicles with reasonable clearance, low-slung luxury vehicles will battle. If you don’t have a vehicle with decent clearance, please make arrangements to get ferried in. See Google maps below for directions on your phone.
BOOKINGS:
>> Click here to WhatsApp Message the Walk Leader to book your place.
Walk Leader
Gordon Smith079 500 7209
Time
April 5(Monday) 9:00am - April 5(Monday) 2:00pm
WittedrifLeermansdrift Farm, Wittedrif

Walk Details
The best of both worlds. Kicking off with some warm-up stretches, followed by some cardio, breathing and balancing during our mid-tempo walk through the spectacular indigenous forest at the Harkerville
Walk Details
The best of both worlds. Kicking off with some warm-up stretches, followed by some cardio, breathing and balancing during our mid-tempo walk through the spectacular indigenous forest at the Harkerville Flora Trail route, ending off with a 45 minute Hatha yoga flow class and silent meditation at the Kranshoek viewpoint. The Flora Trail provides the hiker with a shady forest walk, ideally for educational and spiritual fulfilment. Please wear comfortable clothes you can stretch in, comfortable walking shoes, and bring along a light yoga mat or towel and water you can carry. Also feel free to bring a packed picnic lunch to be enjoyed with spectacular views when we’re done.
GRADE: Moderate
COST: R100 Yoga Instructor Guide Fee plus R24 Sanparks fee
BRING: Bring your own yoga mat and lunch, wear sturdy shoes, toilets available on the walk.
EXTRA NOTES: Family friendly, coastal scenery, forest scenery, marine and coastal interest, wildlife and birding interest, flowers and botanical interest.
DIRECTIONS: Kranshoek Viewpoint (Please park here) S34 04.696 E23 13.671. See Google maps below for directions on your phone.
BOOKINGS:
>> Click here to WhatsApp Message the Walk Leader to book your place.
Walk Leader
Michele Schubert082 718 4334
Time
April 5(Monday) 10:00am - April 5(Monday) 12:30pm
KranshoekKranshoek Viewpoint

Walk Details
Ysterhoutrug The first section of this walk is called “Ou Spoorlyn”. It follows the route of an old railway line that operated between Knysna and Diepwalle in the early days,
Walk Details
Ysterhoutrug The first section of this walk is called “Ou Spoorlyn”. It follows the route of an old railway line that operated between Knysna and Diepwalle in the early days, carrying timber out of, and other goods into the forest. There are beautiful tree ferns to be seen in the bed of the stream, that make it seem as if you are entering a magical enchanting forest, with beautiful old Stinkwood trees growing in tangled clumps. The walk ends at the 600 year old giant Yellowwood tree which is quite the highlight of this enjoyable walk.
GRADE: Easy
COST: SANParks permit required – please bring cash on the day to pay your walk leader.
BRING: Bring your own lunch, wear sturdy shoes.
EXTRA NOTES: Family friendly, forest, special interest walk, heritage, zoology, history and botany.
DIRECTIONS: Ysterhoutrug Picnic Site. From Knysna take the N2 towards Plettenberg Bay. About 4km from Knysna take the R339 Uniondale turnoff to the left, follow this road for 14km and picnic site on your left. See Google maps below for directions on your phone.
BOOKINGS:
>> Click here to WhatsApp Message the Walk Leader to book your place.
or Phone: 076 833 7194
Walk Leader
Jenny Watson076 833 7194
Time
April 3(Saturday) 10:00am - April 3(Saturday) 12:00pm
Location
Ysterhoutrug Picnic Site
Ysterhoutrug Picnic Site
Ysterhoutrug Picnic SiteYsterhoutrug Picnic Site

Walk Details
A cultural and historical walk through the Knysna Rastafarian community lead by brother Zebelon. GRADE: Easy COST: R70 DIRECTIONS: Judah Square, Knysna. See Google maps below for directions on your phone. BOOKINGS:
Walk Details
A cultural and historical walk through the Knysna Rastafarian community lead by brother Zebelon.
GRADE: Easy
COST: R70
DIRECTIONS: Judah Square, Knysna. See Google maps below for directions on your phone.
BOOKINGS:
>> Click here to WhatsApp Message the Walk Leader to book your place.
Walk Leader
Brother Zebelon076 649 1034
Time
April 5(Monday) 11:00am - April 5(Monday) 12:30pm
Location
Judah Square, Knysna.
Judah Square, Knysna.

Walk Details
If we told you that the Earth is 4,600 Million years old, we present you with a number that our brain battles to comprehend. A group of scientists in the
Walk Details
If we told you that the Earth is 4,600 Million years old, we present you with a number that our brain battles to comprehend. A group of scientists in the UK came up with the idea of this Deep Time Gaia Walk. It is about 4.6km long and each meter represents 1 million years. Join us as we start with the Big Bang and end up where we are now. It puts the evolution of our planet in perspective.
“Why walk the walk?
Our hope is that the Deep Time Walk evokes a profound shift in perspective, awakening us to our magnificent ancestry and the vitally important wisdom embedded in deep time, as we humans struggle to deal with our self-created crises of climate change, degradation of nature, and social disruption. This change of perspective requires nothing less than a profound shift in worldview. A shift from seeing Earth as a dead rock, which we use as our pantry, our lumber yard and our waste dump, to seeing our planet as a self-regulating, living Earth – a beautiful planetary jewel from which all life has emerged. This new worldview is the fertile ground from which innovative solutions to the many crises facing humanity can grow.” from here.
GRADE: Easy
COST: Free, and donation to our local Fire Management Unit, who are the first response to wildfires in our area.
EXTRA NOTES: Family Friendly. Forest Scenery. Relaxing walk. Suitable for keen walkers and anyone who is reasonably active.
DIRECTIONS: For sake of ease, I will meet hikers where our farm road meets the Stofpad, near Wittedrif at 08H45. Our turnoff is a few meters past that of Quarry Lake, but on the left-hand side of the road. Our turnoff is the last one on the left-hand side before the Stofpad changes to dirt. We will then travel in convoy to where the walk starts.
VERY IMPORTANT: Although our farm road is quite fine for Off-road vehicles, bakkies and even vehicles with reasonable clearance, low-slung luxury vehicles will battle. If you don’t have a vehicle with decent clearance, please make arrangements to get ferried in. See Google maps below for directions on your phone.
If you can’t get hold of me on my cell, send me a WhatsApp message and I will respond. Cell reception on farm is patchy at best!
BOOKINGS:
>> Click here to WhatsApp Message the Walk Leader to book your place.
Walk Leader
Robin Thesen-Smith082 458 3583
Time
April 5(Monday) 9:00am - April 5(Monday) 12:00pm
WittedrifLeermansdrift Farm, Wittedrif

Walk Details
Our famous ‘Easter’ four kilometre historic Walk and Talk, especially for those who would like to get to know Great Brak River’s history; this will take the form of walking
Walk Details
Our famous ‘Easter’ four kilometre historic Walk and Talk, especially for those who would like to get to know Great Brak River’s history; this will take the form of walking Over and Under our Historic Bridges.
This year’s 4-kilometre walk will be similar to last years but will cover more of our interesting village history and geological formations and will finish at the point where the now famous (A story of the Rock) ‘core-stone’ was found. Dr Charles Helm has also recently introduced us to the subject of ‘Ichnology’ which is all about ancient fossil footprints and the Great Brak River coast is in the middle of these findings.
Our walk will take us past many of the oldest homesteads and buildings in the village. From the museum, we’ll proceed over the Charles Street bridge to view the original village centre and then walk up Mossienes Kloof to cross the original 1874 water furrow. There is a great deal of history attached to the Great Brak village, so come along and explore it with us. Led by the museum chairman Mr René de Kock, the talk will be conducted in English. Afrikaans speaking visitors are welcome and a translation service will be available.
GRADE: Easy
COST: Donation on registering. Writeups on the route and other interesting information is available from the museum.
BRING: Wear sturdy shoes.
EXTRA NOTES: Family friendly. Mainly flat walking, on roads or paths.
TIME: We leave promptly at 8.30 am for a memorial four-kilometre stroll down Memory Lane.
DIRECTIONS: Meet at the museum in 13 Amy Searle Street, left off the top end of Long Street, Groot Brak. See Google maps for directions on your phone. Or call Rene: 044-620-3338
BOOKINGS:
>> Click here to WhatsApp Message the Walk Leader to book your place.
Walk Leader
René de Kock083 448 1966
Time
April 5(Monday) 8:15am - April 5(Monday) 10:30am
Long Street, Groot BrakWaterside Rd, Hoekwil, Wilderness, 6560