Kogelberg Hike

Overview

The Kogelberg Hike offers 5 Kogelberg guided day hikes, and 2 overnight trails – guided or unguided. So the Kogelberg Biosphere encompasses the entire coastal area from Gordon’s Bay to the Bot River vlei, and inland to Grabouw and the Groenland Mountain. Kogelberg is just an hour’s drive from Cape Town and the area is famous for its floral wealth. The 100 000 ha Nature Reserve boasts in excess of 1800 plant species so many spectacular members of the Protea family, some plants are only found in the Kogelberg and nowhere else on earth. This including the Marsh Rose that occurs here in Kogelberg biosphere. It also has 3 patches of relic indigenous forest, Louwsbos, Platbos and Oudebos. Similar to the Knysna forests, they include yellowwood, stinkwood and boekenhout trees. The Kogelberg is a rugged environment and the hikes are generally challenging and quite difficult, but one feels satisfied with ‘a good hike under the belt’ at the end of the day.

The Palmiet River and its associated vegetation is the most pristine in the south-western Cape. Wild almond, rooi-els, yellowwood and cape beech are among the trees occurring in the riverine scrub. The Kogelberg Hike is in the UNESCO World Heritage site now boasts stunning Eco cottages that can be hired for overnight trails. Guided hikes or walks offer so much more:  Ralph and Gill live in Hermanus so they have local knowledge and they are registered FGASA and Tourist guides with a wealth of knowledge to make the most of your hike.

Courtesy Downloads

 

Kogelberg Hike

Day Hikes

Trails	Distance (km)	Time (hours)	Difficulty
Perdeberg Trail	22	7-8	moderate, long
Palmiet River Walk	10	3-4	easy
Oudebosch- Leopards Gorge	6	4	moderate
Kogelberg Trail	24	8	moderate, long
Three sisters	8	4-5	moderate

Overnight Trails

Highlands Trail	Distance (km)	Time (hours)	Difficulty
Day 1	16 km	6-7 hrs	moderate
Day 2	21 km	8 hrs	moderate

Kogelberg Hike

What you’ll get

On the Kogelberg Hike view dramatic sea vistas of white beaches & wild rocky shores, combined with pristine rolling mountains rich in fauna & flora. This is a nature-lover’s dream.

Interesting sights nearby

While on your Kogelberg Hike you can visit some of the other interesting sights in the area.

Harold Porter Botanical Gardens

A world renown garden showcasing 4 vegetation types and home to over 60 bird species as well as other wildlife such as porcupine, genet, mongoose, otter, and dassies (hyrax).

Stoney Point Penguin Colony

Very close to the Kogelberg Hike is one of the few breeding grounds of the African (Jackass) penguins, set alongside the ruins of the old whaling station. Best time to visit is late afternoon.

Please provide the following items for your walk or hike

• Day pack
• Hat or cap
• Sunscreen
• Suitable hiking/walking boots or shoes
• Water bottle
• Binoculars/camera
• Medication if required