Picnics and hikes in Knysna forest.
These are some of the trails and picnic sites within the Knysna Forest
Grootdraai picnic site
Grootdraai means Big Turn. This picnic site is on a big turn on the Kom-se-pad loop hike from Gouna forest towards Diepwalle. The Kom-se-pad loop is a good route to take to see the forest. From Knysna, this is about a 50km round trip. It is also popular with mountain bikers. Most of the route follows gravel roads which are normally well-maintained. The Kom-se-pad section of the road is narrower and undulating but it is still possible to navigate with most sedans.
This picnic site has beautiful picnic tables under the trees and there are toilets available.
Terblans trail
From the Grootdraai picnic site the Terblans trail heads into the forest sharing the path with the Outeniqua overnight trail. Keep right at the fork shortly after the start. Follow the bushpig signs. The path meanders through the forest. It crosses some small forest streams. Further, there is a second junction with the Outeniqua trail, keep to the right here too. The trail approaches a gravel service road, turn right here. The trail continues on the other side just a bit further down the road. Soon after the road crossing, there is a cement dam. Swimming here is allowed. The trail later crosses a service road for the second time. Here the trail skirts the forest along a blue gum tree plantation and later a pine plantation. The trail reaches a service road for the 3rd time. Turn right again. This is Kom-se-pad. Walk along the road to where the path turns off to the left back into the forest and heads back to the picnic site
The Terblans Walk is an easy and beautiful walk through the indigenous Knysna forest. It also starts and ends at the Grootdraai picnic site.
Ysterhoutrug Picnic Site
Take N2 to Plettenberg bay 4km from Knysna. Take R 339 Uniondale, turn left travel Fourteen and a half km and the picnic site will be on your left.
There are benches and tables under the trees at this site situated along the R339 There are also braai areas and bush toilet facilities at the site which are managed by SAN parks. There is a small charge for use of the site permits for the hikes are obtainable from the Diepwalle Forestry Station which is close by, about 1 km up the road.
Contact Numbers: Thesen Island Office – 044 302 5600 Coordinates: S33 57.755 E23 09.411
Velbroeksdraai picnic sites and trails
This is a picnic place you will find along the R339. Here you will be able to see, a 600-year Outeniqua Yellowwood which stands 40m high and has a circumference of 7m. There is a short circular 600m walk you can do from here on a wooden boardwalk, this walk is wheelchair and baby-pram-friendly. The white Elephant Hiking trail passes this spot too. There are in fact three Elephant trails, Red, black and white. In order to do these hikes you must get a permit from Diepwalle Forestry Station. they are great scenic routes passing clear streams which you can explore.
The white elephant trail is an 8km circular route that passes a beautiful rock pool where it is safe to take a dip.
Coordinates: S33 57.383 E23 09.147
Jubilee Creek picnic site
Jubilee Creek is a lovely picnic site. You will find it down in a valley, deep in the forest beside a cool forest stream. There are lots of picnic sites along the stream and in the forest. The stream is safe to swim in.
Facilities include Wooden tables and benches, braai facilities, water, and bush toilets.
Take the Jubilee Creek and walk towards a waterfall and pool that is good to swim in. This is a 3km return trip
You can get permits from the Goudveld entrance gate at Bibby’s Hoek. Coordinates: S33 53.312 E22 57.916
Entrance boom – 044 389 0252.
The King Edward VII picnic site
The King Edward VII picnic site consists of a few secluded picnic spots with benches, tables and braai facilities. In the middle of this area is one of the biggest and oldest trees in the forest. It is an Outeniqua Yellowood which is over 650 years old. It stands 40m high and has a bole circumference of 7m.
There is also a short 450m circular forest walk at this site. There is a wooden boardwalk that is wheelchair and baby-push cart-friendly. The White Elephant Hiking Trail also passes through here if you want to do a longer trail.
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Kranshoek picnic site.
There are several wooden benches each with its own fireplace. Ablution facilities and running water are available.
There are also two hiking trails starting from this picnic spot, the 1km Forest Flora Trail and the 5/9km Kranshoek Trail.
The trees are numbered with their National Tree Numbers and many of the other plants are numbered for easy identification.
Coordinates: S34 04.702 E23 13.672
The water in the streams and pools are safe, the dark colour is due to the tannins and humic acids from the leaves on the forest floor.
Diepwalle site
Diepwalle is a popular start overnight point on the Outeniqua Overnight Hiking Trail which is a start/finish to the trail. There is a new campsite at the forest station were you can camp on wooden decks amongst the trees.
Elephant trails
The Black Elephant trail is a 9km, easy, circular route which starts at the forestry station. This rail passes through both the Ysterhoutrug and King Edward VII picnic sites.
The white Elephant trail is a 2. 8km hike from the forest station or 6.5km from the Diepwalle picnic site. This is an easy, circular route.
The red Elephant trail is a 7km, fairly easy, circular route that starts at the forestry station. Along this route is the most enticing rock pool where you can rest and even have a dip in summer
The elephant trails are marked with coloured elephants on yellow signs on the trees.
If you have more time and you have a lot of energy, you can link the routes into one long route of 18.2km which takes about 6-7 hours to walk.
Perdekop trail
In the Harkerville part of the forest is The Perdekop Trail. Halfway along the 10km route, you’ll find a river crossing above a small waterfall that tumbles into the pool below. You will find a small, fern-lined pool which is great for cooling off in.
Fern pool
Ferns and tree ferns line the water’s edge at this pool. Water flows down a moss-covered rock wall into this magical pool. It is close to the 5km marker on the 9km Circles in the Forest Trail loop which is also known as the Woodcutter Trail, Fern Pool is a bit of a hike, but it is well worth doing.
The Outeniqua Trail is marked with white/yellow shoeprints on trees along the way.
A permit from the Diepwalle Forestry Station is needed for taking the hikes. Permits are obtainable from the boom gate. If the gate is unmanned, please take a self-issue permit.
Coordinates: S33 56.909 E23 09.434
Diepwalle Forestry Station – 044 382 9762/3
See some other hikes in the area
