Hiking Trail Description

Some of the most enjoyable mountain biking in the Southern Cape. A variety of routes and scenery ranging from off-road sections through high forest to sweeping vistas from fynbos coastal cliffs. The relatively easy gradients and diversity of rides offers some of the finest cycling in the Southern Cape.

Direction: Garden of Eden, off the N2 between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

Duration: Four distinct, circular, colour-coded trails have been laid out

Yellow Route: 14 km / 1¼ hours: the route follows gravel roads and will be the only route opened when other routes are closed due to wet soil conditions.

Blue Route: 12 km / 1½ hours: a section of 2,5 kilometres along Beukespad, a forest slip-path, through typical medium-moist high forest; the return part of the loop passes by a small glade of coast redwood planted in 1927.

The Green Route: 15 km / 2¼ hours: the route follows the Grooteilandpad for several kilometres before turning eastwards into Waterpad; there is a swimming hole on Waterpad; an alternate southward loop provides cyclists with the opportunity to enjoy a view of the rugged Harkerville coast.

Red: 24 km / 3 to 5 hours: a much tougher route than the others; its two outstanding features are stretches of off0raod track that follow old slip-paths through the forest and a section of track through the coastal fynbos near the cliff top.

Some routes may be closed at short notice due to wet soil conditions. Please telephone the above numbers to confirms which routes are open.

Permits available at the Garden of Eden: Office Hours: 07h30 to 17h00 Mondays to Sundays; Tel: 044 532 7793. This is the start of the trails. Nominal tariff during peak holiday periods; free self-issuing permits during off-peak periods.