The Diversity Trail – Walker Bay

Discover the wonders of Walker Bay’s nature, culture and heritage on this new 5-day/ 4-night luxury hiking trail on the south-west coast of South Africa.

Days are spent exploring the pristine fynbos, secret forests, expansive dune’s and historical caves along this protected coastline. Led by expert guides, and crafted to include boutique wine and gin tasting’s, a sunset river cruise on the Stanford River, and locally sourced organic cuisine.

You’ll be spoilt for choice on this luxury walking trail, which also re-invests back into the Walker Bay Conservancy.

Trip Duration5 Days / 4 Nights
Daily DistanceDay 1: Lunch Arrival & River Cruise Day 2: 10km / Grootbos Nature ReserveDay 3: 15km / Coastal day - Klipgat CaveDay 4: 10km / Flower Valley
Trail Grading2 / 5 - Fitness. Easy to moderate. Pace is slow with regular stops to look and learn along the way.2 / 5 - Technicality. Graded easy to moderate. Some steepish climbs, some boardwalks and ladders.
Trail TerrainThe trail is mostly well maintained footpaths through the fynbos. Some boardwalks and ladders accessing forested areas, and some steeper climbs but with great views.
AccommodationBellavista Guesthouse - with a range of ensuite room choices, so trail priced accordingly.
Logistic SupportA luxuriously catered, expertly guided, and fully-supported trail from a home-base.Transfers (extra) can be arranged to/from George & Mossel Bay airports.
Group SizeMinimum of 4 and maximum of 12 trailists, based on maximum double occupancy.
PricingBased on room choice: R11500 - R13500/pp sharing

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At a Glance

This five-day, four-night hike, offers a journey of discovery as it weaves through endemic fynbos, ancient forests and rugged coastline.

From the formation of its ancient soils, to the plant species found nowhere else on earth, this trail is all about delving deep into a landscape that rolls from high peaks and milkwood forests, to ancient coastal caves and the languid Klein Rivier.

Your expert guide will piece together the story of the region, revealing its diversity and uniqueness, whilst our trails team will ensure it’s a cherished experience. You will be treated to lovingly-prepared, locally-sourced cuisine and some boutique wine tastings. A gala dinner - with a botanical twist - provides a fitting wrap to this diverse trail.

Pace and daily distances are easily adjusted to the interest’s and fitness of each group.

Day 1Arrival Day/ Lunch & River Cruise
Meet at Stanford Kitchen Restaurant for welcome lunch.
A short walk through the historical village will bring us down to the Stanford River, where we aboard the Lady Stanford to enjoy a leisurely afternoon of cruising, soaking up the magnificent scenery and abundant birdlife, with our knowledgeable guide.
It’s a short drive to Bellavista, your home for the next four nights, where you can settle in and then enjoy dinner.
Day 2Hike Day 1: Hike through Grootbos - Steynsbos - Witvoetskloof (10km)
Wake up to 'breakfast with a view' over Walker Bay, followed by a day exploring Grootbos Reserve's forests and fynbos. The trail takes hikers to the Growing the Future farm where much of the fresh produce enjoyed on the trail is sourced. It then winds through the Steynsbos milkwood forest and up to Pinnacle Peak - affording magnificent views out across the ocean and Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy.
From here it leads down through fynbos to a dam, where a picnic lunch will be served, and a welcome dip can be enjoyed on a hot day.
After lunch, the trail leads into the magical Witvoetskloof valley and forest. Breathe the fresh air of this ageless forest before taking an old flower picking route back to Bellavista, enjoying the view across Walker Bay, along the way.
After a full day of walking, we will enjoy a wine tasting from the award-winning Lomond Wines before another delicious dinner.
Day 3Hike Day 2: Walker Bay Coastline (15km)
Today’s route explores the Walker Bay coastline. Starting out at Grootbos Nature Reserve we’ll head through coastal dune fynbos, to an expansive exposed dune field. From here we’ll head down to Plaat beach and on to the world-renowned archaeological site of Klipgat Cave – home to the Middle and Late Stone Age people - at which your guide will provide some fascinating insights into the early human occupation along this coastline.
The trail proceeds along De Kelder’s cliffs (one of the best viewing sites for Southern Right Whales between June and November) and on to Stanford Cove – a protected swimming inlet. From here you’ll be transported back to Bellavista for another local wine tasting and dinner.
Day 4Hike Day 3: Art, Wine & Culture (10km)
Our final hike day explores the art, wine and culture of the Walker Bay region.
Heading out from Bellavista, we’ll venture into Flower Valley Farm (where you will learn about the sustainable conmmercial harvesting of this wild fynbos), before descending through the vineyards of Lomond Wine Estate. Discover, and taste, how the complex interactions between soil, climate and grapes produce their award-winning wines.
The afternoon will be spent visiting the Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art Gallery, which includes South Africa’s first Fynbos Florilegium – a unique collection of botanical art, on Grootbos Nature Reserve.
Tonight is the gala dinner, where you will be treated to a culinary extravaganza with a distinctly 'botanical' flair. A time to reminisce and celebrate memories made on the Diversity Trail.
Day 5Departure
A final leisurely breakfast concludes the trail. Ask us for assistance in booking airport shuttles if you need.

Montane Fynbos - Diversity Trail

There are frequent breaks to appreciate the small things along the way.

All nights are spent at the lovely Bellavista Country House, so you can unpack your bags just once. There are 5 suites, all with generous proportions, which will sleep a maximum of 12 guests. The trail price differs slightly based on room choice / allocation, based on a double or twin sharing basis.

You can sip on a botanical gin, as you cool off in their rim-flow pool, looking out to Walker Bay.

Rim-flow pool with a view across Walker Bay - Bellavista Country House

What type of footwear is appropriate?
The terrain can be a bit lose and rocky so some people will prefer the ankle support provided by a full hiking boot, but below-ankle hiking shoes or trail running shoes will also be fine for this trail.
What is the best time of year for this trail?
The trail is open most of the year, and each month has its special attractions, but the fynbos flowers tend to be their most spectacular and diverse in Spring (Sept/Oct).
What other attractions are on this hike?
Exclusive tastings at Lomond Wines and another boutique winery. A good chance of seeing whales in season. A visit to the world-renowned archaeological site at Klipgat cave. An exclusive tour to the Grootbos Florilegium and Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art gallery at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. A birding boat cruise down the Stanford River.

Western CapeThe Diversity Trail – Walker Bay
Western CapeThe Diversity Trail – Walker Bay
Western CapeThe Diversity Trail – Walker Bay
Western CapeThe Diversity Trail – Walker Bay
Western CapeThe Diversity Trail – Walker Bay
Western CapeThe Diversity Trail – Walker Bay
Western CapeThe Diversity Trail – Walker Bay
Western CapeThe Diversity Trail – Walker Bay
Western CapeThe Diversity Trail – Walker Bay
Western CapeThe Diversity Trail – Walker Bay
Western CapeThe Diversity Trail – Walker Bay
Western CapeThe Diversity Trail – Walker Bay
Western CapeThe Diversity Trail – Walker Bay
Western CapeThe Diversity Trail – Walker Bay
Western CapeThe Diversity Trail – Walker Bay

Fully guided and catered trail (5 Days/4 Nights):

Disa Suite - R11 500/pp

Oystercatcher & Dragonfly Suites - R12 500/pp

Sunbird & Protea Suites - R13 500/pp

Whats included in this tour

4 Nights Accom at Bellavista - large suites with ensuite bathrooms & rim-flow pool with an incredible view
All meals: from lunch on arrival to breakfast on departure. Delicious home-cooked & some local restaurant meals
Expert Fynbos Guide - for all 4 hike days/activities
Boat Cruise on the Stanford River
Two local wine tastings & a unique vineyard wine experience at Lomond Wine Farm
Entrance permits to Walker Bay Nature Reserve
Special guided tour of the Grootbos Florilegium at the Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art Gallery on Grootbos.

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