Robberg Nature Reserve is probably one of the most famous hiking spots on the Garden Route. Situated about 8km from Plettenberg Bay (also known as Plett), this is the perfect spot for someone who loves spending time in nature.
Here you’ll be mesmerized by the rugged shoreline and the Atlantic ocean views.
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Information about the reserve
Entrance Fee: (2022)
- R60 Adult
- R40 Children (4-17 years)
Operating Hours:
- 07:00 – 20:00 (October to April)
- 07:00 – 18:00 (May to September)
Where to park?
- There is enough parking for everyone. Once you’ve paid the entrance fee, you drive straight until you reach the parking area. Here you’ll also have a great viewpoint of the ocean below.
The trails
There are three trails to choose from, all three being circular routes. So if you don’t have much time, you can take a short 30-minute stroll at the reserve or you can explore to the point of the reserve with the 4-hour trail. All these trails provide you with spectacular ocean views.
They start at the same point, right at the parking lot on the left (don’t worry, you’ll see the big sign indicating the start of the trail) and all trails are marked with seal signs.
Gap Trail
The Gap is a short 2.1km trail that will take you about 30 minutes to complete. This is the easiest route and once you’ve made your way to the left of the parking lot and continued passed the start point, you’ll be able to stop at a few viewpoints that overlook the Atlantic Ocean and Plettenberg Bay in a distance.
Here you continue on the wooden pathway until you reach the sign that indicates for you to turn right. If you decide to continue straight, you will continue either with the Witsand trail or the Point trail.
From here you’ll lead into a mudstone cleft, which has evidence of the prehistoric break-up of Gondwanaland which dates about 120 million years back.
Witsand Trail
The Witsand trail is 5.5km and will take about 2 hours to complete. You continue your way past the starting point, and make your way along the wooden boardwalk, rocky surfaces, and over dunes.
Once you’ve reached the sign indicating the turn-off for the Gap trail, you continue straight.
Before you reach the turn-off towards the dunes and the beautiful beach, you’ll find the Cape Fur Seal colony dancing in the waves below. You’ll hear them once you get close.
Once you’ve reached the sign stating to continue to the right, and upwards to the Witsand dunes (hence the name of the trail). Once at the top, you’ll see the beautiful beach stretched out below and then you make your way down. This is the perfect spot to take a break and just enjoy the scenery. Then make your way back to the parking area.
The Point Trail
The point trail is the longest trail at the reserve and leads straight to the point of the peninsula.
This 9.2km trail will take about 4 hours to complete and has some strenuous areas. Watch out for freak waves at the point and also some strong winds that might occur at Strydom’s Loop.
Once you’ve passed Strydom’s Loop, you’ll reach the overnight accommodation and then make your way toward the beach. Here you can also explore The Island, where you can walk along the wooden boardwalk.
Stay over at Robberg Nature Reserve
Did you know you can stay over at the nature reserve? There is one wooden cabin called the Fountain Shack and it sleeps 8 people in four double bunk beds.
You cannot drive to the accommodation, therefore you’ll have to hike about 4km to reach the cabin.
The Fountain Shack has a fully equipped kitchen with a gas cooker and it uses solar power for electricity.
It will be worth it to spend a night, or two…
After the hike
Once you are done with your hike, you can buy yourself something to drink at Robberg Café in the parking lot.
I had an iced coffee and it was definitely what I needed after the hike. There are also braai facilities available at the parking, with also some great views.
Afterward, you can explore more of the Garden Route area.
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