This is an easy 1km circular walk through indigenous forest from the Kranshoek picnic site. The objective of this walk is to learn more about the forest and the plants that grow in it. The trees are numbered with their National Tree Numbers and many of the other plants are numbered for easy identification.
The indigenous forests of this area, the Southern Cape, are referred to as Afromontane Forests (Afro – African; montane – mountain) and are the largest complex of closed canopy forest in Southern Africa. There are 470 species of flora, 180 species of woody flora and 285 species of herbaceous flora. (third, sixth and largest in Southern Africa respectively).
This walk is ideal for young and old so take the kids and introduce them to this wonderful forest environment. At the start there is a wooden box were you can get a flora guide for the trail, be sure to take one. There are also a number of information boards along the route.
Distance: 1km, circular.
Difficulty: Very easy.
Managed by: SANParks
Permits/Costs: Obtain a permit from the small office at the boom. If the boom is unmanned a self issue permit applies, there is a wooden box with permits at the boom. Free for Wild Card members.
Contact numbers: Harkerville Forestry Station – 044 532 7770
Directions: From Knysna, take the N2 towards Plettenburg Bay. At the Sasol petrol station, about 17km out, turn right and follow the gravel road for 1.7km and turn right, follow this road for 4.2km to the Kranshoek Picnic Site.
Coordinates: S34 04.696 E23 13.671
Other: The water in the streams are drinkable, the dark colour is due to the tannins and humic acids from the leaves on the forest floor.
The Kranshoek Picnic site is ideal for a picnic or braai and offer splendid views of the sea and coastline. Take your camera.
Please preserve our environment for our posterity by not littering.