Trail Details

Between Stanford and Gansbaai, off the R43

Closest towns – Stanford & Gansbaai with the tourist hub of Hermanus a 45 minute drive.

Away from transport hub: Self-drive or shuttle by arrangement

Option 1: Core Trail: 3 days/ 2 nights, fully catered & guided
Option 2: Fully catered & unguided
Option 3: Self catered & unguided

Optional extra: Core trail with coastal add on 4 days/ 3 nights

Start: Steynsbos Farm, Grootbos GPS: 34˚52’13.63 S / 19˚44’86.92 E (core trail)
or De Kelders GPS: 34˚54’76.39 S / 19˚37’68.28 E (coastal add on)

Finish: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve GPS: 34˚54’19.68 S / 19˚41’20.99 E (Option 1 &2)
or Steynsbos Farm, Grootbos  GPS: 34˚52’13.63 S / 19˚44’86.92 E (Option 3)

Day 1: 6.6km           Day 2: 11km    Day 3: 7.8km (option 1 & 2) or 9km (with Coastal add on

On a grading of Easy – Moderate – Strenuous
This trail would be regarded as Moderate, with the single track path undulating and no steep climbs

This trail has been assessed by Green Flag Trails – http://greenflagtrails.co.za/hiking-trails-international/

A moderate level of fitness is required

Not technical and single path all the way. Elevation gain 534m at highest peak on Day 2.

Fully-equipped self catering farm cottages.  Wood fired Pizza oven on first night and outdoor wood fired hot tub on second night.  Indoor fireplace at both cottages for cold evenings.  Bedding and towels are included.  Cottages sleep 10 in 5 bedrooms

Option 1 & 2 are catered – all meals and lunch packs provided (own drinks and snacks)
Option 3 is self catered

Option 1 & 2: All overnight luggage is transported, day packs only.
Option 3: portage optional.  Option 1 is guided by fully trained and accredited guides.
Option 2 and 3 are unguided on a well marked route and a map is provided.

Access to privately owned land within the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy that is otherwise not accessible to the public. 

This area includes magnificent natural landscapes and unique biodiversity including over 1100 species of indigenous plants; 8 indigenous forests; waterfalls; early human cave sites; whale watching and birding hotspots.

High quality guiding which brings the landscapes to life. 

Packages integrate hiking with the conservation and community projects in the area.

Authentic, personally hosted farm accommodation

Fresh meals produced from local sources, primarily the Growing the Future Project on Grootbos.

Celebratory lunch at 5 star Grootbos Nature Reserve

The business supports local conservation and social upliftment projects through partnerships with The Grootbos Foundation; Flower Valley Conservation Trust and the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy.  By hiking the trail, guests contribute directly to the conservation of the region and the upliftment of local communities.

The founder of the trail, botanist, Sean Privett has researched the biodiversity of the region and been instrumental in developing a variety of conservation programmes that the hikers experience during their journey.  The guests receive a signed copy of

Wine Tasting with award winning Lomond Wines with the Option 1 package

This product is far more than just a traditional hiking trail as it has been carefully designed to integrate the best of the natural environment with the fascinating social and conservation programmes of the region. 

The Fynbos Trail takes hikers along a beautiful stretch of trail through coastal and mountain fynbos and remote forests.  Highlights along the trail include fascinating visits to local archaeological sites, learning about the exceptional diversity, threats and ecological wonders of the fynbos and fores

Rainy winters, hot dry summers.

This trail can be hiked all year, although mid-summer can be hot and mid-winter, wet. Best time: April – June; September – November

Minimum of 4 and a max of 10 (we do try and accommodate single hikers with mixed groups and if you are 2 you can still hike with a small surcharge applicable)

Option 1: Price – R3850 per person over weekend (or including Friday and Saturday nights)
Price – R3650 per person during the week (Sunday to Thursday night)
Surcharge if less than 4 people: R660/per person (no less than 2 people)

Option 2: Price – R3150 per person over weekend (or including Friday and Saturday nights)
Price – R2950 per person during the week (Sunday to Thursday night)
Surcharge if less than 4 people: R330/per person (no less than 2 people)

Option 3: Price – R1150 per person
Optional Extra: Portage R220 per person (or R300 per person if only 2 people)

Coastal Add on:
Full slackpacking – R1850 (includes overnight accommodation in De Kelders, dinner, breakfast, morning tea, lunch, Permit fees for Walker Bay Nature Reserves, transfer to Growing the Future, luggage transfers and guide)

All meals, guiding and transport back to the start. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are not supplied, hikers are welcome to bring their own.

The Fynbos Trail