Hiking in Robberg Nature Reserve

For me, the hike in Robberg Nature Reserve is one of the most beautiful hikes in South Africa and along the Garden Route. Robberg is located just 5 miles south of Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route. It is both a protected area and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it is stunning. In addition to spectacular views of nature, you'll find dream beaches, Cape Fur Seals, and, with a bit of luck, sharks, dolphins, or whales offshore.

For those in a hurry, here's a summary of the important information about Robberg Nature Reserve:

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There are three possible hiking routes that differ in length and difficulty:

There are three options for hiking in the nature reserve. We can't recommend the full circular route around the peninsula to The Point and back along the southern coast to everyone, as here you really need to climb a rock face (elevation change of about 6.6 feet). If you're not sure-footed or have a fear of heights, this could be pure horror for you. If it has rained (which rarely happens), the rocks can be very slippery. The wall is marked with the skull symbol on the map. There are no ropes. At some points, there are railings or ropes to hold on to, but not at this location.

Download the map in the official brochure as a PDF

Since the complete circular hike around the peninsula in Robberg Nature Reserve was recommended to us beforehand, we chose the approximately 5.6-mile route "The Point" without any hesitation. You can view and retrace my tracked tour here on Komoot.

At the beginning, you are usually on a normal path of dirt or gravel. Later, towards "The Point" and after the many rocks that you have to climb first, it will be on wooden walkways or sand.

All three routes initially lead you to the quite easy and beautiful The Gap. If you have kids with you or can't spend much time in the nature reserve, you should turn here. If not: Continue on. Then you'll encounter the large (and, from afar, already smelly) seal colony. Don't worry, you'll smell them before you see them. You can't miss them.

Keep your eyes on the sea as well. With a bit of luck, you might spot dolphins, whales (especially during whale season from May to November), and a great white shark. The latter have become quite rare here.

Additionally, there is a chance to see the smallest antelope species at the West Cape here: the Blue Duiker. These bucks are very shy and unfortunately also very rare. They hide in the dense fynbos surrounding us. The males stand about 12 inches tall, so they are very small. We did not spot any duikers during two visits to Robberg Nature Reserve.

After about 1.2 miles, you will reach the dune landscape "Witsand." Here you can turn right if you've walked enough and take the shortcut to the beach and sea. The beach is marked as "Die Eiland" on the map.

However, we will continue straight ahead to The Point, the end of the peninsula.

If you didn't take a detour, you will next reach the southernmost point of the hike: The Point. Here the wind blows, the waves crash thunderously against the cliffs, and the nature is rougher and less green.

At the highest point stands the Cape Seal Lighthouse. At 479 feet above sea level, this is the tallest navigational light on the South African coast. Its solar-powered beam reaches about 17 miles.

We sat on the rocks here and enjoyed the view of the sea. This is a good thing because now comes the most difficult part of the hike. If you've overcome your fear and climbed the cliffs, you will reach wooden walkways and stairs. Watch out: Do not take shortcuts here, especially not below the trail.

The yellow beach, the main attraction in Robberg Nature Reserve, is coming closer. The surf here is enormous, so stay away from the water.

On the way, you pass the Fountain Shack hut, which you can also rent for overnight stays. The amenities are very basic, and you need to book well in advance, as locals love to come here.

We continue towards the beach. By now, it is almost exclusively on wooden walkways and stairs. The strenuous part is now behind you.

Here at the beautiful sandy beach, you should definitely linger. Whether you want to jump in the water or not: Take a break and enjoy your snacks.

After that, the last 2 kilometers back to the parking lot will go by quite quickly. Only a rocky stairway awaits you as the last effort. Then you've made it.

The Nelson Bay Cave earns the nature reserve its UNESCO World Heritage status. This section is located between the entrance and the parking lot. Archeological finds made in this cave indicate a settlement during the Stone Age.

According to information boards, this is where the first evidence was found of the more recent coast of South Africa. The rocks date back to the Early Cretaceous period (130-110 million years ago) and the breakup of Gondwana, the prehistoric supercontinent that divided into present-day South America, Africa, Antarctica, India, and Australia about 120 million years ago. The rocks at Robberg were deposited on the floor of this new African sea and came to light when the sea level decreased.

For me, the Robberg Nature Reserve is one of the highlights in all of South Africa. If you are not afraid of heights, make sure to do the complete 5.6-mile circular route. You will be rewarded with fantastic views and can jump into the refreshing sea at the end. The nature and marine protected area near Plettenberg Bay should definitely be on your list as a "Must See" on your journey along the Garden Route.

We needed 4 hours with some photo stops and pauses for the views. However, we are not the slowest hikers. However, we had to realize, despite the early start time, that the sun here is incredibly strong when there are no clouds in the sky. Be sure to pack sunscreen. During the complete circular hike, we had to use our hands for climbing more often than we had thought in advance.

For the views of the beach in Plettenberg Bay, the seals, and the roaring sea, the complete route is definitely worth it. Even if you choose a shorter route, you can look forward to great moments.

You can find more hikes in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, up Table Mountain in Cape Town, for sunrise on Lion's Head in Cape Town or in the Tsitsikamma National Park.

Check out my reports for the highlights along the Garden Route, my best tips for Cape Town can be found here on the blog. All reports for South Africa can be found here on the travel blog at a glance.

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