The Fynbos Trail: More than a hike

NATURE TRAVEL, CONSERVATION | JANUARY 09, 2024

A hike is so much more than a get-fit-in-nature experience.

For the LoveGreen team, a hike fills the soul – creating an opportunity to connect with old, and meet new friends, in a nature-filled setting. And that’s just what the Fynbos Trail provided us.

The Fynbos Trail is a three-day adventure in the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy, between the towns of Gansbaai and Stanford. As the name suggests, there’s no better hike than this to be fully immersed in the Cape Floral Kingdom, especially the incredible colours of fynbos.

The hike, owned and run by the fantastic Privett family, offers something different as the seasons change. We hiked the 28km trail in April – which provided the perfect combination of warm and cool.

Fynbos Trail route information

In fact, April and May is the ideal time to enjoy one of the region’s most spectacular sights: the fields of gorgeous pink Erica irregularis.

This Endangered species only occurs in this very-defined area, and transforms these fynbos-covered hills and valleys into incredible swathes of pink. But of course, during the winter months, you’ll be treated to some incredible flowering proteas, and come summer, the orange colours of the pincushions (especially the Vulnerable Leucospermum patersonii) steal the show!

If you’re looking for your next adventure, and the Fynbos Trail sounds promising, then here are a couple of ideas to tip the scales in favour of this adventure:

On Day 1:

Start a little earlier than the three hours you’ll need for this journey, in order to really enjoy the peace and tranquility of the forests – including the Steynsbos Milkwood Forest. The ancient trees here are a wonderful way to quiet the mind on the first leg of the hike.

We opted for the no-frills budget option on this slackpacking adventure. That means we packed our own food, which was transported to the next accommodation house by Trail Manager Ian Privett. We made the mistake of not packing pizza bases and toppings. After a lovely afternoon hike, make use of the pizza oven at the wonderful Fountain Bush Cottage for an evening of camaraderie, snacking on pizzas together.

Although it was chilly, we did have a dip in the dam above the house, which was simply glorious and refreshing.

On Day 2:

While 11kms may not sound too tough, there are a couple of big hills to overcome, so be prepared. The first few kms are undertaken in some of the most beautiful fynbos you’ll ever see – these are valleys filled with Proteas, Pincushions and so much more.

Once you enter the cool Afromontane forest, then don’t be fooled into an early coffee break. The ideal coffee spot is at a gorgeous waterfall in the forest – where you can top up your water supply if you need to, and take in the detail of the forest. A short distance after the waterfall, you’ll start a serious incline in a hot valley. Only once you reach the top do you start to once again enjoy the cool, ocean air.

Here’s a hint: If you can, a hike to the top of Grootberg, while a little detour off the trail itself, is well worth it. The views of the Lomond Dam and the ocean are spectacular. And the trail is well marked, so you can’t go wrong.

There’s a steep downhill, leading into the forest on Flower Valley Farm. Here, too, there’s the option for a detour, so that you can walk through the forest. This detour is also wonderful, and there’s a lovely lunch spot at the start of the forest on the ocean side. For the birders, we recorded Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher in the forest. And look out for the leopard scratch tree, where the small, resident leopards have left their mark over the past decades.

From here it’s a short walk to Witkrans, to the overnight accommodation – where you can enjoy a hot tub and make your meal in the boma area.

On Day 3:

While you’re also walking 11km, it’s a much quicker hike given that the terrain is a little flatter. The fynbos along this path is very different, with tall fynbos plants offering a completely different, and also unique, experience. If it’s a clear day, consider taking the path to the highest peak on the trail on the Swartkransberg. While our timing was just off – as we got there, the mist came in and obscured the view – we know from previous trips that it is an incredible sight. Even if you can’t enjoy the views, be sure to take a moment to check out the fynbos, with some wonderful species such as the Near Threatened Leucadendron tinctum occurring here.

Then it’s an easy hike back to the start at the Growing the Future project – where you’re faced with the worst part of the trail: Saying goodbye to old and new friends, after an unforgettable three days!

Whether you’re a beginner, or an avid hiker, this is a journey that should not be missed:

www.fynbostrail.co.za

Heather is our content writer. She enjoys helping our clients formulate their message and loves to run her way across beautiful mountains, to explore new places and is always ready for an adventure.

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