Hiking Trails
Many of the hiking trails in the Overberg area are coastal walks, though there are also numerous nature reserves where short rambles are in order. In these cases it is quite unnecessary to include a full route description, as the walks are mostly short and obvious; people are expected to ramble around the reserves by whichever route they choose.
De Hoop Nature Reserve has a great diversity of natural habitats and offers three basic types of walk: along the coast, up the Potberg, and around the edge of the vlei. The reserve has two focuses: the historic De Hoop homestead where the main rest camp has been built, and the equally appealing Potberg farmstead which has been converted into an education and information centre.
The Boland Trail winds through the Hottentots Holland Mountains and has claimed at least one life every year. You can choose a two-or three-day route, but don't go thinking you're off on a mountain stroll. Even in summer you could find yourself crawling on hands and knees trying to cling to the path in a blinding gale.
When it's not like that, these mountains are an amazing wild escape from the tamed areas all around. In fact, so wild that leopards are known to roam there still. For showy fynbos there is no better trail, although in summer you'll be looking for lilies and orchids rather than the larger, more obvious proteas and ericas.
Kloofing
Suicide Gorge is a wet 17 km kloofing trail in the Hottentots Holland Reserve - and not one for people with a fear of heights. The highest jump is a knee-wobbling 14 m; it doesn't sound too high right now, but wait 'til you're up there!
If Suicide Gorge's haunting name or daunting distance is too much for you, jump the Riviersonderend Gorge which is in the Hottentots Holland Reserve and lower down in the same river. It's a better idea for a first kloofing trip as most of the jumps can be avoided by climbing around them.
Other Activities
Other activities in the Overberg include - at Klein Paradys, you can enjoy the Overberg on horseback from a 1 hr vineyard trail to 5 days of mountains, beaches, orchards and vineyards. At the Overberg Flying Club, you can learn to fly or get an eagle-eye view of Hermanus, the Kleinrivier Lagoon and if you’re lucky, some aerial whale-watching.
Kayaking on the Buffelsjag River is also popular and for the more outdoorsy folk, there is a great quad biking trail that travels up the Green Mountain Jeep track. You can ride along the Riviersonderend River Route to the old town of Genadendal, passing The Old Water Mill and stay over in Greyton village.
Scuba diving is also a fantastic option, and you can dive from the old harbour in Hermanus and multiple places along the coast between Gansbaai and Betty’s Bay.
When headed to the Overberg, you’ll find a graveyard of ships and floral riches beyond compare along a coastline patrolled by great white ...