The Fynbos Trail is a 3 day, 2 night 28km hiking trail and is graded by Green Flags as moderate.

There are 3 different packages on offer to suit your budget…
(Budget: Unguided, uncatered; Standard: Unguided, catered or Premium: Guided and catered).

More than 1000 fynbos species have been identified along the route and, whatever time of year you walk there is always something in bloom. As you go you learn about the remarkable diversity and fascinating ecology of the proteas, ericas, reeds and wonderful bulbs, gaining an understanding of their preferred habitats and their remarkable tricks. The seeds of the local limestone pincushion (Leucospermum pattersoni) have a waxy coating that attract the local pugnacious ants, who carry the seeds to the safety of their underground nests, where ants are rewarded with nutritious seed coat as food and the seed is planted out of harm’s way until a future fire activated germination!

As you wander you begin to understand the uniqueness of this trail. Vegetation studies on Grootbos Nature Reserve have recorded six plant species that are new to science! Several plant species including the spectacular Erica irregularis which paints the hills pink in winter and early spring, and Aloe juddii, which escapes fire by finding refuge in a few of the rocky outcrops along the trail are found here and nowhere else in the world and, as you hike, you occasionally come across previously un-noticed individuals.

There are swimming opportunities in the dams and pools on each day and the views of Walker Bay, across to Dyer Island and over the rolling hills are stunning, but it’s not just the natural beauty that makes this trail so special. The Fynbos Trail is as much about the amazing people and stories of this fascinating region and the wonderful work that Grootbos Nature Reserve and The Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and neighbors are doing to conserve and support local communities.

By hiking the trail, you contribute directly towards the conservation and social development work of the partners within the conservancy. Some of the funds generated by the trail are re-invested into clearing alien vegetation, managing fire and documenting and monitoring flora and fauna within the conservancy.

The trail leads through coastal strandveld into the Steynsbos Milkwood forest, one of only eight milkwood forests of its type in the world, all of which are found in the Stanford-Gansbaai area. An island surrounded by fynbos, this small patch of forest contains trees that are many hundreds, if not thousands of years old and is refuge for several animals and birds not commonly seen in the fynbos. Thirty-four bird species, including Rameron pigeon, Cape Batis, African paradise flycatcher and forest buzzard have been sighted as well as a variety of mammals including bushbuck, porcupine, honey badger and mongoose.

Open from 1 February – 15 December with start days on a Monday/Wednesday and Friday to choose from.