The Fynbos Trail

The Fynbos Trail runs through the breathtakingly beautiful Cape Floral Kingdom, which is a World Heritage Site, just waiting to be explored by you. The trail weaves its way through magical forests as well as through blankets of more than 800 species of coastal and mountain Fynbos in the greater Gansbaai area. Embraced by an exquisite backdrop of mountain and sea, The Fynbos Trail is your ticket to experiencing Cape flora and fauna at its exquisite best. Here, nature’s tapestry is punctuated by gushing waterfalls and the cry of birds, native to this picturesque area in the Overberg.

About

The Fynbos Trail began its meander in 2001, envisioning a slackpacking hiking experience. The trail crosses the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy, Flower Valley Conservation Trust, Grootbos Foundation and the Lomond Wine Estate.

The Fynbos Trail covers 26,5 km.

Hiking Itinerary

Day 1:: Depart from Steynsbos to Fountain Bush Cottage at Grootbos Environmental Centre, Fynbos Retreat on a 6,5km hike that takes about three hours.
Day 2:: Depart from Fountain Bush Cottage at Grootbos Environmental Centre on an 11km hike that takes most of the day, ending at Witkrans Farm.
Day 3:: Depart from Witkrans Farm on a 9km hike that takes about four hours, ending at Stynsbos.

Package Options

The Fynbos Trail has three package options to choose from for the 2022 hiking season.

Hiking Season 2022

Autumn (1 st of March until 31st of May)
Spring (1st of August until 30th of November)

Option 1 - Full Slackpacking

Be introduced to this paradise by an expert field guide who will chaperone you along the trail for three highly educational days.

Cost:

R4,500 per person (weekends that include Friday and Saturday nights)

Minimum group size - six

R4,150 per person during the week (Sunday to Thursday night)

Minimum group size - four

Includes:

Guide
Overnight at the fully equipped Fynbos Retreat and Witkrans Farm
Meals (two dinners, two breakfasts and one lunch)
Fruit juice with dinner
Lomond wine tasting at Witkrans Farm
Indiginous tree planting at Stinkhoutsbos Forest
Fynbos gift of completion of the trail
All luggage transfers
You are also welcome to bring along your own selection of refreshments and alcohol, which will be delivered to your overnight accommodation and chilled, ready for your arrival.

Option 2 - Self-Guided Slackpacking

Discover this paradise on your self-guided slackpacking hike along The Fynbos Trail.

Cost:

R3,600 per person (weekends that include Friday and Saturday nights)

Minimum group size - six

R3,400 per person during the week (Sunday to Thursday night)

Minimum group size - four

Includes:

Route map and narrative
Overnight at the fully equipped Fynbos Retreat and Witkrans Farm
Meals (two dinners, two breakfasts and one lunch)
All luggage transfers

You are also welcome to bring along your own selection of refreshments and alcohol, which will be delivered to your overnight accommodation and chilled, ready for your arrival.

Option 3 - Self-Guided and Self-Catered

Discover paradise on this self-guided and self-catered experience along The Fynbos Trail. The circular 10km route, starts and ends at Steynsbos.

Cost:

R1,400 per person
Portage - R270 per person (group option only)

Includes:

Route map and narrative
Overnight at the fully equipped Fynbos Retreat and Witkrans Farm
Overnight accommodation is at the fully equipped Fynbos Retreat and Witkrans Farm.

Reviews

“Beautiful views of nature and such a nice hiking trail to do. The fynbos smells amazing and is a feast of fauna and flora. Ended up spending some quality time with friends and the local farm dog, Shadow, at the dam. There are canoes and paddles boats on the shore for taking out on the dam. A very tranquil and peaceful atmosphere and the sounds of birds and insects in their natural surroundings are music to the ears.” Janelle Jasson

“Fantastic guided hike. Well informed guide, wonderful food. Highly recommended.” Hope Hornby

“This was a wonderful nature retreat. The Fynbos Trail takes you on 3 hikes over 3 days. You hike to your next accommodation. The different biomes that you hike through are spectacular. You head underneath of Forrest canopy then move on to the indigenous Fynbos which is an experience on your eyes and your nose as the aromas are natural and soothing. This is also a wonderful bird watching route. We managed to see a black-shouldered kite circling quite close to us.” Cameron Worthington