The Perdekop Nature Walk, or Horse’s head in English, is an easy leisurely walk through the indigenous Harkerville forest with gentle forest stream falling into a pool, a great picnic spot halfway along the route. It is easily accessible from the N2, only 18km from Knysna.
The trail is well established, clearly marked and not undulating. The trail starts from the Harkerville forestry station and follows a easy path along a circular route back to the station. Sections of the walk are shared with the Harkerville Coastal Hiking Trail (White footprints) and the Hakerville Cycle Routes. About halfway through the walk you will reach a small dam, no swimming here please as this is drinking water for the area, the trail turns right and goes down to a pool at a waterfall below the dam. This is a great place to stop, rest, snack and here you may also swim. There are a wide variety of fungi in all kinds of colors throughout the walk in the forest and also many other interesting vegetation.
Take your camera and take your time and enjoy this lovely hike.
Distance: 9.5km, 3-4 hours. Circular route.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route markers: A yellow emblem of a horse’s head engraved on blocks of cherry wood.
Managed by: SANParks
Permits/cost: Permits obtainable from the SAN Parks office at the start of the trail.
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 to
the Harkerville Forest Station (right at the fork about 1km down the road).
Coordinates: S34 02.848 E23 13.851
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.
Download .GPX file of the route. (107KB)
Please preserve our environment for our posterity by not littering.