The Fynbos Trail

About

The Fynbos Trail began its meander in 2001, and crosses through the following areas:

• Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy
• Cape Nature Walker Bay
• Grootbos Foundation
• Witkrans Nature Farm
• Bodhi Khaya
• Lomond Wine Estate

Forest Restoration Project

“The Fynbos Trail is embedded in a long heritage of conservation. Trail founders Sean and Michelle Privett are active members of Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy. 

The trail traverses several member properties of the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy, a collaborative conservation partnership between nearly 50 private landowners who collectively own more than 22,000 hectares of endangered lowland fynbos and forest habitat. More than 1,100 indigenous plant species have been recorded, including seven species that are new to science, many of which are rare and threatened. 

This natural landscape includes many threatened habitats, including rare forest patches, incredibly diverse mountain fynbos areas, endangered limestone, and wetland vegetation. The conservancy is also home to a wide variety of fauna, including 106 bird species, 30 mammals, 46 reptiles, 22 amphibians and an incredible diversity of insects.

By hiking the trails, you will be contributing towards the conservation and social development work of the partners within the conservancy. Some of the funds generated by the trail are re-invested by the conservancy into clearing alien vegetation, managing fire and documenting and monitoring flora and fauna within the conservancy. Many of the ingredients for the meals along the route are made with fresh organic food produced at the Growing the Future sustainable agriculture project on Grootbos Nature Reserve.

Hikers on the Premium Trail have the opportunity to taste the magnificent wines from Lomond Wine Estate, a dedicated conservation partner in the Walker Bay Conservancy. They can also plant an indigenous tree as part of the Future Trees forest restoration project as well as visit the Grootbos Florilegium at the Wenhold Botanical art gallery on Grootbos. This is the only botanical art gallery in the southern hemisphere and is dedicated to raising awareness and support for the conservation of the region’s flora and associated fauna.”

The Fynbos Trail

The Fynbos Trail limits bookings to three groups per week.

Start Days

• Monday (premium, standard, budget)
• Tuesday (budget)
• Wednesday (premium, standard budget)
• Friday (premium, standard, budget)

Trail Season

• 1 February - 15 December

Duration

• Three days

Distance

• 26.5km

Trail Itinerary

Day 1: 

• Duration: Three hours
• Distance: 6.5km 

Day 2: 

• Duration: Most of the day
• Distance: 11km

Day 3: 

• Duration: Four hours
• Distance: 9km 

Fynbos Trail Premium

The Fynbos Trail Premium is a guided, catered slackpacking experience. 

Trail Season

• 1 February - 15 December

Cost

• Weekends (including Friday and Saturday nights) - from R 5,550 per person
• During the Week (Sunday to Thursday night) - from R 5,150 per person

Duration

• Three days

Distance

• 26.5km

Fynbos Trail Premium Includes

• Access to the Fynbos Trail through Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy’s fynbos and forests
• Three-day guided walking trail with a knowledgeable FGASA-accredited guide
• Overnight accommodation at the Fynbos Retreat and Witkrans
• Two dinners, two breakfasts and two lunches (all delicious home-cooked meals)
• Lomond wine tasting at Witkrans
• Tree planting as part of the Stinkhoutsbos Forest rehabilitation project on Flower Valley
• Exclusive tour of the Grootbos Florilegium and Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art 
• Gallery
• All luggage transfers
• A Fynbos gift on completion of the trail

Note:

• Limiting bookings to three groups a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday start dates)
• A minimum group size of four is required for this option during the week
• A minimum group size of six is required for this option over weekends
• If you book for eight your group will have exclusive use of the trail
• If you book for less than eight, others may join your group

Contact The Fynbos Trail for more information and an itinerary. 

Fynbos Trail Standard

The Fynbos Trail Standard is a self-guided, catered slackpacking experience. This is a circular route that takes hikers back to the start at Steynsbos.

Cost

• Weekends (including Friday and Saturday nights) - from R 4,100 per person
• During the Week (Sunday to Thursday night) - from R 3,900 per person

Duration

• Three days

Distance

•  26.5km

Trail Season

• 1 February - 15 December

Fynbos Trail Standard Includes

• Access to the Fynbos Trail through Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy’s fynbos and forests
• Overnight accommodation at Fynbos Retreat and Witkrans
• Two dinners, two breakfasts and one lunch (all delicious home-cooked meals)
• All luggage transfers

Note:

• A minimum group size of four is required for this option during the week
• A minimum group size of six is required for this option over weekends
• If you book for eight your group will have exclusive use of the trail
• If you book for less than eight, others may join your group

Contact The Fynbos Trail for more information and an itinerary. 

Fynbos Trail Budget

Fynbos Trail Budget is a self-guided, uncatered slackpacking experience.

Cost

• From R1,950 per person

Duration

• Three days

Distance

• 26.5km

Trail Season

• 1 February - 15 December

Fynbos Trail Budget Includes

• Access to the Fynbos Trail through Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy’s fynbos and forests
• Overnight accommodation at Fynbos Retreat and Witkrans
• Both cottages are fully equipped for self-catering
• All luggage transfers

Note:

• This option is only available for select weekend dates
• This option is not available over long weekends
• A minimum group size of six is required for this option during the week
• A minimum group size of eight is required for this option over weekends
• If you book for eight your group will have exclusive use of the trail
• If you book for less than eight, others may join your group

Contact The Fynbos Trail for more information and a detailed itinerary. 

Reviews

“The Fynbos Trail has beautiful views of nature and is 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 paddle 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. The Fynbos Trail comes highly recommended!”  Hope Hornby

“This was a wonderful nature retreat. The Fynbos Trail takes you on three hikes over three 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