Good news for hikers with dogs is that dogs are allowed on the Blue Route, as well as in the botanical garden of Fernkloof Nature Reserve, as long as they are on leads.

There is roughly 60 kilometers of hiking trails to tackle in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve and the colour coded paths are all clearly marked. Maps and brochures are available at the visitors’ centre or at the Fernkloof Nursery.

Dogs must be kept on the designated trails only, respect the rules and be considerate of other dog owners and nature reserve users by keeping dogs on-leash and under control at all times. Dog’s poo must be picked up and binned.

Routes

Green Route: This  90  minute walk offers beautiful views of Hermanus at the Lemoenkop lookout point.

Blue Route: A dog-friendly path that will take approximately 60 minutes.

Red Route: In 90 minutes you can traipse through the evergreen forest to the waterfall that can be more of a water-trickle in high summer though.

Orange Route: Head to the Galpin Hut, here you can spend the night and resume your flower frolicking the next day. It’s the longest of all the routes and will take about 120 minutes.

Cliff Path Route: The Cliff Path route, running for almost 12km along the Hermanus coastline from Grotto beach to the New Harbour, is also part of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. It offers a totally different experience - a level walking surface, mostly wheelchair friendly; coastal-, sea- and land bird watching; whale watching in season and enjoyment of fynbos species which are not found at higher altitudes.

Dogs are welcome on the Cliff Path route if leashed. Cliff Path brochures are available from the visitors’ centre in the reserve.

Entrance and info

Entrance to the reserve is at no cost. Opening times: Summer: 06:00 to 19:00; Winter: 07:00 to 19:00.

Maps and information are available at the visitors’ centre and the Fernkloof  Nursery.

Parking of vehicles is available in the garden area and at the visitors’ centre 500m further on at the end of the tarred road.

Toilets are available in the gardens and at the visitors’ centre.

No restaurants or cafés are available in the reserve.

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