Submitted by:
Carmen Claire van der Westhuizen
Where is your MicroAdventure located?
Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
How long is the MicroAdventure in total, out and back?Ā
9,2kms (1 day or overnight)
Give the people a short description of your MicroAdventure.
Robberg Nature Reserve is truly magnificent in every sense of the word. Being so close to Plettenberg Bay, you donāt expect the sheer cliffs and wild ocean when you actually enter the reserve. Out of all the trails Iāve been lucky enough to hike in South Africa and abroad, Robberg is definitely in my top 5. It has such a vast variety of fauna and landscapes.
The trail starts with a rocky path hugging the cliff, overlooking sprawling boulders and eventually towers over the seal colony down below. The trail then merges into windy sand submerged paths, occasionally covered by some forest. Once you reach the point and round the reserve you feel like youāre in a scene from Star Wars. The rock formations under foot and running alongside you seem otherworldly, with beautiful bright orange moss splattering the rock surfaces and the occasional Dassie family sunning themselves.
The trail then reaches the fountain shack. If you go in spring or early summer youāll be pleasantly surprised by the delicate pink, white and yellow flowers that surround the shack. It is the perfect place to rest your head. Located right next to where the waves crash down on the rocks, with a view of the island and completely surrounded by nothing but the sounds of nature, it is bliss.
Braai into the late hours of the evening with the stars shining brightly overhead and awake to golden sweeping sunrises and coffee on the wooden porch while you watch seals surfing the waves in front of you. It is the perfect place for a big crew to spend some time together outdoors. Sleeping 8, it is well equipped with everything you could need for the night, or a few nights, including a fridge, gas stove and enviro loo.
The hike out of the reserve from the shack is shorter than the hike in. You cross a beautiful beach where you can take a quick dip before continuing along a path that has been cut into the cliff face. The trail has a fair amount of ups and downs but they are all short bursts on very well maintained paths, manageable for anyone with a fair fitness level. If you havenāt tackled this one yet, get out there before summer ends.
How do you get to the start? Please share some directions.
Robberg Nature Reserve is situated 10 Minutes out of Plettenberg Bay. There is a secure parking lot at the start of the trail.
How much did it cost (per person)?
R0 - R250 per person
Best time to go?
Summer (Out of peak so you get the lower rate for the Fountain Shack)
A quick note about safety. Can you do it solo? Do you need a crew?
The hike can be slippery when wet and some parts you need to be cautious if it is very windy but otherwise it is a very well looked after trail. You can do it solo but the overnight hut is great to go with a crew and if you have 8 people, it brings the fee each person has to pay towards the hut way down.
What sport is this adventure most related to?
Hiking
Do you need any special permissions / permits?
Yes