We’ve finished many hikes everywhere in the world within the final years; Nepal, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, and eventually determined to do extra hikes in our personal nation, South Africa. The variety of mountaineering trails and routes in South Africa is wonderful, from the well-known Otter path to difficult hikes in Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. You may hike alongside the coast, on the seaside, over the mountains, via the desert and indigenous forest. This time we selected the Outeniqua path within the Backyard Route Nationwide park. It was our third multi-day hike in South Africa we’d finished the Amatola path close to Hogsback and the Cape of Good Hope hike in Cape City. The Outeniqua mountaineering path is with little question one of many Backyard Route gems and considered one of our favourite hikes. We hiked the Outeniqua two weeks earlier than we went to stroll the Fish River Canyon hike in Namibia.
The path is located contained in the Knysna part of the Backyard Route Nationwide Park. The route is well-balanced, straightforward to observe, it doesn’t require a great health degree or mountaineering expertise. In actual fact, anyone comparatively match can do that hike simply select your personal tempo and go. We have been pleasantly stunned by the path situations and the service degree. The path has indicators, distance marks, names, and so forth., the huts are very clear, freshly painted with good ablutions and the park rangers are nice very pleasant, and useful. After this hike, we’re undoubtedly contemplating doing extra multi and day hikes in SANParks throughout South Africa.
What to anticipate on the Outeniqua hike?
- Simple to average stroll, no particular health degree or expertise required. Stroll between 3 to six hours a day.
- The path is properly maintained and really properly marked (white footprints), straightforward to observe.
- The huts are in good situation and have fundamental services. For extra particulars on every hut test beneath.
- Consuming water is accessible through the stroll and within the huts, its shade (mild brownish) comes from the soil.
- The world is secure the path goes via the Nationwide park there aren’t any random folks round we noticed solely rangers and park employees.
- After heavy rains, it may be troublesome/unimaginable to cross the river in some locations contact obligation rangers. There’s a cellphone variety of an obligation ranger in each hut.
- There are two Tea Backyard espresso outlets at Millwood hut and Diepwalle hut the place you will get cooked meals or purchase staple items; pasta, tuna, cookies, and so forth. The one at Millwood hut was closed once we have been there, to verify whether or not they’re opened or not inquire when reserving the path.
Methods to guide the path?
Reserving is critical the principle cause the huts can accommodate a sure variety of folks. We did the hike in Might and booked it only a week or so beforehand. Relying on the season (e.g. December or Easter vacation) the Outeniqua path may be fairly busy. You may make a reserving over the cellphone (044-302-5600) or (044-302-5606) from 7:30 am to 4 pm, weekdays or e-mail [email protected] Two days after you made a reserving it’s a must to pay the entire quantity for the huts. Cash paid for the hike can’t be refunded. The park conservation payment may be paid on-line or on arrival.
You guide huts for particular dates, there are 7 huts (Windmeulnek, Platbos, Millwood, Rondebossie, Diepwalle, Fiesantehoek, and Harkerville huts). There was 8 however the very first hut Beervlei is just not obtainable anymore. You guide and pay per individual per hut. Our recommendation don’t guide Harkerville hut the final one. You may skip it you end Day 7 early between 10 am and 12 pm so that you’ll have sufficient time to begin driving again as an alternative of staying there.
How a lot does the hike value?
- Lodging (7 nights, bunk mattress) – ZAR 630/US$48 (ZAR 90 pp per evening).
- Park conservation payment (for SA residents) – ZAR 186/US$14 per individual for 7 days (4 days x ZAR 30 and three days x ZAR 22). Holders of Wild playing cards don’t pay conservation charges. Observe! The conservation payment for foreigners is totally different, ZAR 60/US$4,5 for SADC passports per day and ZAR 120/US$9 for internationals.
Complete: ZAR 816/US$62
One of the best time to hike the Outeniqua Path
We did the hike in Might and had nice climate; heat however not sizzling through the day, no rain, and a bit chilly at evening. In the summertime months (December – February) it will get extremely popular, in winter (June – August) chilly and moist. In our opinion, spring and autumn are the very best time for mountaineering the Outeniqua Path.
The place to remain earlier than and after the hike?
Knysna is the closest large city to the path with many lodging choices for various budgets.
Excursions and actions in Knysna
In case you determine to spend a few days in Knysna earlier than or after the hike there are various nice actions and issues to do on this lovely city.
Lodging on the path
As I discussed earlier than each evening you sleep in a hut. All huts have bunk beds and fundamental services, three (Millwood, Diepwalle, and Harkerville) have electrical energy and sizzling showers. It makes the hike straightforward you don’t want to hold a tent or mattress solely a sleeping bag.
The place to depart your automobile?
The route is just not round you begin and end elsewhere fairly removed from one another, a 1-hour drive. You have got two choices; to park your automobile at Beervlei hut (begin of the hike) and take a shuttle again after you end or to park it at Harkerville hut (the tip of the hike) and take a shuttle to the place to begin. We drove from Knysna to Harkerville the place we parked our automobile. From there we took a shuttle (we’d booked it 2 days earlier than) to Beervlei, the place to begin. The most cost effective shuttle we might discover was Benny’s shuttles, we paid ZAR 580/US$44 for 2 unsure should you pay extra for extra folks or simply divide it between all. We booked it over the cellphone with out paying any deposit. Contact quantity 083-728-5181, Benny.
In our opinion, it’s good to complete the hike on the place your automobile is parked. You don’t must drive wherever else to get it. The Harkerville entrance workplace seemed fairly secure for leaving a automobile. The parking space is in entrance of the rangers’ workplace there are all the time folks there. At Beervlei hut there was no person once we arrived.
In case you don’t really feel like driving with your personal automobile all the best way to the Outeniqua or if it’s simply too far to drive you may fly to George and hire a automobile on the airport.
Methods to get to the path and not using a automobile?
You may guide a shuttle from Knysna or Plettenberg Bay or every other close by cities to the path and again. You may strive the identical shuttle service we used (Benny’s shuttle) they’ve fairly first rate charges.
In case you determine to cease for a few days someplace on the Backyard Route we are able to extremely suggest Plettenberg Bay with its wonderful journey actions.
What to pack for the Outeniqua hike?
Garments
- Comfy garments for mountaineering, we’d suggest carrying lengthy pants and lengthy sleeve shirt to keep away from scratches generally you stroll via lengthy grass and bush.
- A hat, sun shades, sunscreen – all should have if mountaineering in summer time.
- Comfy garments (e.g. fleece, pants, flip flops) to vary, all the time good to placed on clear garments after the bathe.
- A towel, there will likely be a chilly or sizzling bathe each evening.
- Underwear, socks, what number of pairs to take is as much as you.
Climbing gear
- A sleeping bag, we had skinny summer time luggage for 11C consolation. In case you hike in winter take a hotter one we have been just a little bit chilly one or two nights.
- Climbing poles, we by no means use them however many individuals do there are up and down hills every single day on the hike and they are often useful for river crossing as properly.
- A water bottle, there are many water sources on the hike.
- A headlamp/torch, not all huts have electrical energy.
- We didn’t use any water purification tablets or filter and had no downside.
- A guide, you’ll have loads of time for studying every single day.
Cooking gear
- A range, we’ve a small moveable gasoline range that we all the time take mountaineering, it’s sufficiently big to boil water, make pasta or oats.
- Fuel relying on how many individuals you might be and the way a lot cooking you need to do. We took 500ml it was greater than sufficient for 7 days for 2 folks. There are braai locations, wooden, and braai grids (there was no grid at Diepwalle hut) at each hut so as an alternative of carrying a range and gasoline you may make meals and boil water on an open hearth. Generally wooden may be moist it’s higher to convey firelighters.
- Pots, we had one medium-size pot with plastic handles. In case you plan to prepare dinner on hearth take a steel pot.
- A swiss knife.
- Cutlery, we had bamboo forks and spoons.
- Cups/mugs.
- Lighter/matches and blitz in no way huts there was dry materials to begin a fireplace.
Meals
To be trustworthy we have been a bit hungry every single day and regretted not packing extra meals. Right here is our meals listing;
- Breakfast – immediate flavored oat sachets (3 for 2 folks), espresso/tea.
- Lunch – nut combine, power bars, biltong/droewors (we all the time take it on hikes in South Africa).
- Afternoon tea, on this hike you end every single day fairly early it’s good to have a cup of tea with chocolate or an power bar whereas ready for dinner.
- Dinner – a can of tuna, 250g of pasta, one tomato sauce sachet (for 2 folks). As an choice you may convey ready-made dehydrated meals, they’re fairly costly however straightforward to make, very mild, and are available in numerous flavors.
In case you like mountaineering and reside or planning to go to Mom Metropolis there are various incredible hikes in Cape City with breathtaking views that everybody will take pleasure in.
Outeniqua Path mountaineering itinerary
The primary recommendation, all the time observe white footprint marks on timber and rocks. There are yellow footprints as properly however they mark totally different trails don’t get confused.
Day 1, Beervlei hut – Windmuelnek hut, 16km, 4,5 hours
We organized a shuttle for 8 am from Harkerville hut it took about an hour to get to Beervlei hut, the place to begin. We couldn’t get a map at any of the huts fortunately the path may be very properly marked and straightforward to observe. In actual fact, we might lastly purchase a map solely on the fifth day on the Millwood info workplace for ZAR 23.
The primary two hours have been a simple stroll via the forest with many Knysna Turaco round. After you begin a steep descend to the river. Recommendation! Fill your water right here there received’t be every other likelihood until you attain the hut. Right here on the river, we had lunch.
After that, you begin an extended and generally fairly steep ascend all the best way to the hut on the jeep observe. Doing hikes up Desk Mountain or Lion’s Head path in Cape City is an effective way to organize for the primary day of the Outeniqua Path.
Windmuelnek hut services
Picket hut wonderful location on the highest of the hill overlooking two valleys, our favourite hut ever! We regretted not bringing meat or wors with us it could be good for the primary evening.
- Bunk beds with mattresses
- Operating water
- Chilly showers
- Dry bathrooms with bathroom paper and cleaning soap
- No electrical energy
- Exterior braai place with a braai grid
- Wooden, axe
- Exterior tables and chairs
- Washing strains
- Garbage bin
Day 2, Windmuelnek hut – Platbos hut, 17km, 6 hours
We began at 9 am and the primary hour was steep 500 m down all the best way to the river. Right here don’t overlook to refill your water earlier than you begin going up. There will likely be one or two extra streams however fairly far. The up is steep and lengthy took us about an hour. After that, the path goes via fynbos and fern forest. A really lovely space generally appears to be like like decorations to Jurassic Park. The final hour or so to the hut you stroll on the gravel street.
Platbos hut services
A giant picket hut with three bedrooms can accommodate about 30 folks. The hut itself and the world round is properly maintained; clear and neat.
- Bunk beds with mattresses
- Operating water
- Chilly showers
- Flushing bathrooms with bathroom paper and cleaning soap
- No electrical energy
- Inside hearth
- Exterior braai place with braai grids
- Wooden, axe
- Tables, chairs outdoors
- Basin
- Washing strains
- Garbage bins
Day 3, Platbos hut – Millwood hut, 16km, 5 hours
We began at 8.45 the in keeping with the official information you supposed to depart earlier than 8 am and the strolling time for the day 7-8 hours. It took us 5 hours to complete and we didn’t even stroll quick.
To begin you stroll 500m again on the 4×4 observe until you get the fitting flip off signal to Millwood hut. Most a part of the path goes via the forest the place it’s cool and humid. There will likely be some average ups and downs through the day however the principle one is true to start with after an hour stroll; first all the best way all the way down to the river after which up. You mainly repeat this train every single day.
On the best way, you may cease at a pool for lunch and swim. It’s 100m out of the best way simply observe the signal “Waterfall” within the surrounding space you may see many elderly gold mines. About 2km earlier than the hut there are rests of an outdated city that was constructed right here through the gold rush within the late nineteenth century.
Millwood hut services
It’s an enormous two-story cottage, positioned near Millwood Goldmine museum and Mom Holly’s Tea Room. To our large disappointment each we closed, we had large hopes for this espresso store to get a pleasant espresso and to inventory a bit our meals provides. Native rangers mentioned it will likely be reopened quickly.
- Bunk beds with mattresses
- Operating water
- Scorching showers
- Flushing bathrooms with bathroom paper and cleaning soap
- Electrical energy and retailers (within the bathrooms)
- Inside hearth
- Many outdoors braai locations with braai grids
- Wooden, axe
- Exterior tables and chairs
- Basins
- Washing strains
- Garbage bins
Day 4, Millwood hut – Rondebossie hut, 17km, 5 hours
We left the hut at 9 am, the primary hour you stroll on a jeep observe then the path turns into the forest. Yet another hour strolling down and also you attain the river it’s a pleasant spot for snack/relaxation break earlier than the approaching up. The uphill with some rock and ladder climbing took us an hour, it’s in all probability probably the most troublesome uphill on the path. After that, you stroll once more on the jeep observe first after which final 2km straightforward stroll via the forest until you attain Rondebossie hut.
Rondebossie hut services
- Bunk beds with mattresses
- Operating water
- Chilly showers
- Flushing bathrooms with bathroom paper and cleaning soap
- No electrical energy
- Inside hearth
- Exterior braai place with braai grids
- Wooden, axe
- Tables, chairs inside and out of doors
- Basin
- Washing strains
- Garbage bins
Day 5, Rondebossie hut – Diepwalle hut, 13km, 4 hours
For the reason that mountaineering day promised to be quick we determined to begin fairly late, at 9.45 am. Proper to start with, you stroll all the way down to the river to begin an extended steep up from there. Jonker mount is kind of an up as soon as on the highest test the view over the world. The up took us about 30-40 min. After that, you go principally down following the hill after which a pleasant stroll via a stupendous part of the forest. Large ferns, big timber very inexperienced, humid, and a bit chilly. As soon as out of the forest the final hour to the hut nearly all the best way on a 4×4 observe.
At Diepwalle you’ll get a pleasant shock – a espresso store the place you will get some sandwiches, truffles, hamburgers, espresso and purchase some snacks, pasta, tuna, and so forth. The store often opened until 3 pm. You may preorder a meal (at the least 24 hours earlier than) that will likely be prepared if you arrive. The menu with costs you will discover inside Rondebossie hut (on the wall). Telephone for reserving 044-382-9762/3. We had a extremely large lunch right here and weren’t hungry for the primary time in 5 days!
Diepwalle hut services
- Bunk beds with mattresses
- Operating water
- Scorching showers
- Flushing bathrooms with bathroom paper and cleaning soap
- Electrical energy and retailers
- Exterior braai place. You may even purchase braai packs on the store however we didn’t see a braai grid.
- Wooden, axe
- Exterior tables and chairs
- Basin
- Washing strains
- Garbage bins
Day 6, Diepwalle hut – Fiesantehoek hut, 16km, 5 hours
Historically we began at 9 am the path, to start with, overlaps with Elephant stroll (a day hike) and goes via the forest as soon as dwelling to Knysna elephants. After an hour or so the paths break up. For probably the most a part of the day, you stroll via the forest with some sections on a jeep observe. There’s one steep ascent all the way down to the river. The remainder of the day is usually flat with small uphills
Fisantehoek hut services
A giant brick home with many rooms and beds on the highest of the hill with a stupendous view over the world.
- Bunk beds with mattresses
- Operating water
- No showers solely tub with chilly water faucet contained in the hut
- Flushing bathrooms with bathroom paper. One inside bathroom
- No electrical energy
- Inside braai place with grid
- Wooden, axe
- Tables, chairs inside
- Basins
- Washing strains
- Garbage bins
Day 7, Fisantehoek hut – Harkerville hut, 12km, 3 hours
We began at the present time fairly early at 7.30 am. It was the simplest and shortest stroll on the hike principally via the forest with some insignificant ups and downs. It took us lower than 3 hours to get to Harkerville hut we completed simply in time earlier than the rain. We booked Harkerville hut however determined to not keep there and fairly carry on driving again dwelling. The hut is good however probably not distant proper subsequent to the knowledge workplace and parking spot.
Harkerville hut services
- Bunk beds with mattresses
- Operating water
- Scorching showers
- Flushing bathrooms with bathroom paper and cleaning soap
- Electrical energy and retailers
- Braai place with grid
- Wooden, axe
- Tables, chairs
- Basins
- Washing strains
- Garbage bins
After ending the hike we began driving again to Cape City and managed to get dwelling the identical day. Climbing the Outeniqua Path was an awesome journey that we actually loved.