The Fynbos Trail
You can start the Fynbos Trail located in Stanford from various locations along its route including Flower Valley, Fynbos Retreat, Witkrans, Bodhi Khaya and ‘Growing the Future’.
The standard version starts and ends at ‘Growing the Future’ where you will find secure parking and ablution facilities. The trail starts with a gentle 1.5 kilometres of relatively flat terrain through an ancient milkwood forest before hitting the first climb. The tail then ascends the 365 metres of Pinnacle Peak before dropping down past Fynbos Retreat into the Witvoet Kloof Valley.
Here runners will cross wooden boardwalks and descend a series of steps into a magnificent forest of ancient trees. The trail follows a stream and passes a waterfall before a steep ascent to Grootberg Peak (408 metres). From the summit of Grootberg the trail descends into Flower Valley and through another patch of indigenous forest at Stinkhout Bos.
At 17 kilometres a steady climb of 360 metres over 4 kilometres starts to the highest point of the trail, the summit of Swartkrans Berg (509 metres). The final stretch takes runners down the northern slopes of Swartkrans Berg through fields of proteas and back to the start at Growing the Future. The trail is open from first light. There is water at the start as well as at 2.5 kilometres, between 6 - 8 kilometres, at 12 kilometres and 16 kilometres. There is a range of shorter circular hiking routes available within the conservancy.
Various Activities in Stanford
When you get there, you can river cruise, sit back, relax, watch the birds and sip on a cool drink while leisurely cruising down the Breede River. Enjoy the bird in the hand, where you can combine two outdoor activities in one fabulous location, the magical Salmonsdam Nature Reserve.
For those who like beer and wine, there are boutique beers at Birkenhead Brewery, or wine tasting at Walker Bay. Or alternatively, book for fantastic fly-fishing for rainbow or brown trout at Vaalvlei. For the best, freshest local produce, visit the various country markets.
Trail Runs
The undulating trail runs through fynbos and forest patches including some of the best coastal milkwood thicket in the country, some deep ravines with beautiful waterfalls, limestone hills unique to the Agulhas region and two table mountain sandstone peaks rising to 400 and 500 metres respectively. The entire route is through pristine natural veldt and skirts past some of the oldest homesteads in the region.
The trail is 90 percent runnable for any relatively fit trail runner. While not an easy trail, the climbs up the hills are relatively short and the diversity of natural landscapes, forests, fynbos, waterfalls and magnificent vistas will make it worth your while!
The climate of the region is relatively temperate and the trail is runnable at any time of the year. Mid-summer can be quite hot with temperatures reaching the mid-thirties, while mid-winter can bring cold, wet spells with poor visibility on the upper reaches of the trail.
To get there, follow the R43 for 8 kilometres past Stanford and look out for the Fynbos Retreat sign on your left. Follow the gravel road for 900 metres until you reach an intersection; turn right and follow the gravel road for 1km. Turn left at the sign to the start of the Fynbos Trail and follow this track for about 1 kilometre.
Salmonsdam Nature Reserve
Salmonsdam Nature Reserve lies 20 kilometres east of Stanford, at the foot of the Perdeberg Mountains. Although there is currently no designated Mountain Biking Route, plenty of riding opportunities exist on the network of jeep-tracks within the reserve. Crank into granny gear along a gnarly climb to the top of the mountain for a breathtaking view of Walker Bay, Caledon and Bredasdorp.