Garden Route Tours & Activities 
Swartberg hiking trail
Tour details
Swartberg hiking trail
Duration:
4 day(s) - Location:
Knysna
Instant booking available
Climates are extreme here. Very cold winters bring snow to the mountains and temperatures are well below zero. Summers can be very hot with temperatures reaching 40 degrees! Rain occurs throughout the year, peaking in early winter and spring, with thundershowers in the summer months.
The vegetation in the Swartberg is very diverse and includes renosterveld, mountain fynbos, Karoo-veld, spekboomveld and numerous geophytes species. Some species bloom throughout the year attracting large numbers of sunbirds and sugarbirds. It is great for the twitters! The best times for hiking are April to May and September to October. Good choice to go in October!
Hikers must be fit to walk this trail!! We have decided to vary the distances and made it as easy as possible but we are still basically walking in the mountains, so preparation is everything in order get the best out of this hike. Expect moderate to strenuous walking on two of the days, no climbing required.
The vegetation in the Swartberg is very diverse and includes renosterveld, mountain fynbos, Karoo-veld, spekboomveld and numerous geophytes species. Some species bloom throughout the year attracting large numbers of sunbirds and sugarbirds. It is great for the twitters! The best times for hiking are April to May and September to October. Good choice to go in October!
Hikers must be fit to walk this trail!! We have decided to vary the distances and made it as easy as possible but we are still basically walking in the mountains, so preparation is everything in order get the best out of this hike. Expect moderate to strenuous walking on two of the days, no climbing required.
Itinerary
on this page
Day 1:
Knysna Forest Tours will transfer all guests to the Swartberg Private Nature Reserve. We will enjoy a nice warm up walk in the afternoon in the reserve on the reserve roads. Expect to see herds of Eland, Zebra, Kudu. Impala...even Red Hartebeest....and a million baboons!! Accommodation is in a privately owned house within the reserve. Dinner will held in the house and there will be either a braai or a delicious pot of curry/lasagna/something easy to warm up. A cleaning service will be arranged. So no washing up required!
Day 2:
Transfer up the Swartberg Pass to "Die Top". Today we will walk from the Ou Toll hut up to the top of Platberg using one of two fantastic loops (7km or 9km). The7km loop is an easier walk for the moderately fit guests and the 9km climb is a more challenging walk for the fitter guests. We also have the option of doing both loops making a full days walking in the mountains of 16km. The climb to the top of Platberg takes us to 1950m above sea level!! The views are unbelievable. This is a fairly tough walk but the rewards are unreal. Overnight accommodation tonight is in the Ou Toll mountain hut. All your luggage is portaged to the hut and the evening meal is fully catered. Sleeping bags are required tonight as we "rough it" in this very basic hut.. Meals will however be catered and food for dinner/breakfast/packed lunch for the following day will be brought in from Price Albert via 4x4.
Day 3:
The second day of the hike commences as we walk down the Swartberg trail to Malvadraai along the "Valskermval" or Parachute Fall walk (Please note it is not all downhill!!) A distance of 9.4km and +- 4 hours with a moderate exertion rating. We have the option of extending this days walking to a full day of 18km for the really fit walkers! We will experience unbelievable views today as we walk down the mountain. Accommodation tonight is a treat as we spoil you after your two-day adventure on the mountain. We overnight in the beautiful town of Prince Albert at Dennehof Country House. This is a beautifully restored B&B with un-matched hospitality, great food and very....very comfortable beds. (I have spent many nights here on MTB tours and it is awesome.)
Day 4:
After breakfast Knysna Forest Tours will transfer guests back to Knysna/ George Airport.
The rates for this hike include all accommodation, all meals, all permits, transfers, and yours truly as your guide. The cost per person for this hike varies according to numbers...please enquires on our website.
Knysna Forest Tours will transfer all guests to the Swartberg Private Nature Reserve. We will enjoy a nice warm up walk in the afternoon in the reserve on the reserve roads. Expect to see herds of Eland, Zebra, Kudu. Impala...even Red Hartebeest....and a million baboons!! Accommodation is in a privately owned house within the reserve. Dinner will held in the house and there will be either a braai or a delicious pot of curry/lasagna/something easy to warm up. A cleaning service will be arranged. So no washing up required!
Day 2:
Transfer up the Swartberg Pass to "Die Top". Today we will walk from the Ou Toll hut up to the top of Platberg using one of two fantastic loops (7km or 9km). The7km loop is an easier walk for the moderately fit guests and the 9km climb is a more challenging walk for the fitter guests. We also have the option of doing both loops making a full days walking in the mountains of 16km. The climb to the top of Platberg takes us to 1950m above sea level!! The views are unbelievable. This is a fairly tough walk but the rewards are unreal. Overnight accommodation tonight is in the Ou Toll mountain hut. All your luggage is portaged to the hut and the evening meal is fully catered. Sleeping bags are required tonight as we "rough it" in this very basic hut.. Meals will however be catered and food for dinner/breakfast/packed lunch for the following day will be brought in from Price Albert via 4x4.
Day 3:
The second day of the hike commences as we walk down the Swartberg trail to Malvadraai along the "Valskermval" or Parachute Fall walk (Please note it is not all downhill!!) A distance of 9.4km and +- 4 hours with a moderate exertion rating. We have the option of extending this days walking to a full day of 18km for the really fit walkers! We will experience unbelievable views today as we walk down the mountain. Accommodation tonight is a treat as we spoil you after your two-day adventure on the mountain. We overnight in the beautiful town of Prince Albert at Dennehof Country House. This is a beautifully restored B&B with un-matched hospitality, great food and very....very comfortable beds. (I have spent many nights here on MTB tours and it is awesome.)
Day 4:
After breakfast Knysna Forest Tours will transfer guests back to Knysna/ George Airport.
The rates for this hike include all accommodation, all meals, all permits, transfers, and yours truly as your guide. The cost per person for this hike varies according to numbers...please enquires on our website.
Participant guidelines
- Hiking boots and socks
- Slipslops
- Insect repellant
- Sun block
- Hat
- Water bottles/Camel back/day pack
- 3 layers of upper clothing for hiking days ( shirt, fleece and waterproof)
- Sleeping bag/pillow ( For one night)
- Extra Snacks ( energy bars etc.) We will provide lunch and snacks each day.
- Torch
