Hiking in the Kogelberg Biosphere
Whether you live in the Kogelberg Biosphere, or are visiting for a while, you’re in for a hiking treat.
There are many fantastic hiking trails to choose from, deep in the mountains or down at the coast.
The Kogelberg Nature Reserve (the core of the Biosphere) is seen as lying at the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom. That means that this region is incredibly rich in plant diversity, with 1 600 plant species occurring here, of which 150 are endemic. It also has 3 patches of relic indigenous forest.
Images: LoveGreen Communications.
Trails to test
The Kogelberg Trail (24 km, 7-8 hours) is graded moderate and takes you through the heart of the reserve.
The Hangklip Trail (7 km, 4 hours) starts at Pringle Bay and provides a beautiful view of the False Bay coast and mountain peaks.
On your way to the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, be sure to visit Stony Point Penguin colony at Betty’s Bay, home to the endangered African penguin. Contact the Kogelberg Nature Reserve for more information and to obtain a hiking permit.
Top: Rooisand Nature Reserve. Image: LoveGreen Communications. Left: View over Clarens Drive. Image: Corlie Hugo. Right: Hiking up to Landdroskop, in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve. Image: LoveGreen Communications.
You can walk from the Kleinmond estuary to Palmiet estuary. The trail is about 5 km and rated as easy. Along this trail, which meanders through coastal fynbos, you might be fortunate to see whales or dolphins. No permits are required for this hike.
The Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve in Grabouw is known for its rugged mountain terrain with altitudes ranging from 500 to 1 590 m. The reserve is a hiker’s paradise with day hikes and overnight routes as well as famous kloofing routes.
There are 2 kloofing trails to choose from: Riviersonderend Gorge (24 km, 7 hours) and Suicide Gorge (17km, 5 hours). During this adventure you will need to jump from a height of 14 m into a pool of deep, dark, icy water. Some say it’s an extreme sport, a different way to experience nature!
LATEST NEWS
The Kogelberg and a changing climate: What can you do?
There’s a downside to being home to a rich natural world; it’s that the Kogelberg Biosphere stands to lose more in the face of the enormous threat of a changing climate.
Why we should give this slow grower a break
Fynbos must burn. But there’s one notable loser when fynbos burns too often in the Kogelberg Biosphere: it’s a pretty protea that only occurs in our corner of the earth.
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