Island Nature Reserve and Bushbuck
Hiking Trail
480 ha.Found 25 km from PE via the Seaview Road turn off along the national road.
Indigenous Alexandria coastal forest and a variety of tree species including Outeniqua
yellow-wood, white and hard pear as well as white milkwood. Fauna includes small blue
duiker, bushpigs, bushbuck and vervet monkeys. Over 50 species of birds including the
Knysna Lourie. Numerous walks including the popular 16km Bushbuck hiking trail. Picnic and
braai sites.
Maitland Nature Reserve and Hiking Trails
127ha. Found 30 km from PE via the Seaview Road to Maitland River Mouth. Dense indigenous
coastal forest alongside the famous giant Maitland sand dunes. Small animals including
bushbuck and blue duiker. Plenty of birdlife including loeries and sunbirds. An old wagon
road leads to Maitland lead mines. Three trails provide access into the dense forest.
1. Sir Peregrine Maitland Nature Trail - 3km, self-guided, follows the old wagon road
2. De Stades Nature Trail - 9km, fantastic view of St Francis Bay and the Maitland dunes
3. Igolomi Trial - 4km, winds through some of the most dense sections of the forest.
Schoenmakerskop-Sardinia Bay Nature Reserve and Hiking
Trail
Seascapes and landscape. Dune vegetation and wild flowers. Bronze cannon points towards
the wreck site of the galleon "Sacramento", Sacramento monument and the ruins of
a mill once used to crush seashells. Sacramento Hiking Trail - 8km, circular, coastal hike
St Croix Island Reserve
12ha extending 300m seawards around the islands of St Croix, Brenton and Jahleel at the
Coega River Mouth. Established as a breeding ground for the jackass penguin which is an
endangered species.
Swartkops Aloe Reserve and Aloe Hiking Trail
Found between Amsterdamhoek and Bluewater Bay. Escarpment and plateau. Valley bushveld,
aloes and stunning views. Two circular trails - 2kms and 7kms long.
Van Der
Kemp’s Kloof Trail
8km. Takes 3 - 4 hours. Starts outside the Van Der Kemp’s Kloof Church (the first
missionary settlement in PE) at the historical Bethelsdorp Village. Wilderness and grassy
fynbos over kloof and plateau. Amazing views of the Swartkops Valley and Algoa Bay.
Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve
500ha. One huge "walkabout". Found 35km from PE. Incredible variety of
indigenous flora. Southern wooded slopes including the Afrotomane Forest with its Cape
chestnuts, black ironwood, cabbage trees, yellowwoods and white pear. Large plateau has
fynbos veld with proteas and pincushions. River banks. Picnic sites. Bird sanctuary.
Forest walk: 2km for 1.5 hours. River walk: 3km for 1.5 hours. Gravel roads for drives
around the reserve. Mountain biking trails for novices and families.
Woody Cape Nature Reserve
25000ha. Stretches from Sundays River Mouth to the Bushmans River. Dense Alexandria
coastal forests. Unique Alexandria Dunefield dune sea (one of the largest active coastal
dunefields in the world). Scenic beauty and contrasts. Birds and wildlife. Variety of
trees including yellowwoods. Day trails. Grassy picnic site. Alexandria Hiking Trail is a
circular trail starts at Langebos. Base hut has 12 bunks at Woody Cape. Unique for its 3
ecosystems
1. high forest
2. desert-like dunes
3. magnificent beaches
Dolphin and whale viewing from dune cliffs. View of Bird Island. Birdlife includes rare
damara tern, jackass penguins, fish eagle and Knysna Loerie. Indigenous forest. Fauna
includes bush pig, buck, monkeys and also butterflies. |
