Natures Valley

This is a relatively easy hike, which starts at the top of the valley and decends gradually down to the Saltriver estuary, along the coast and then up (more effort) past a beautiful viewpoint of Nature's Valley.

Driving from the N2 National road (coming from Plettenberg Bay side), take the first R102 turn-off towards Natures Valley.

Follow the road for 7.9 kms until you see a picnic spot with chairs and tables on the right of the road (You'll see a sign saying "Feeding of Baboons prohibited" on the left side of the road right opposite it) 

Park your car here, remove valuables, 

grab your gear and duck underneath the boom  (err chain) you'll see in front of you to get onto the path. After a short walk (10-15 mins) you'll reach a fork. Follow it to the left towards Saltriver. You'll pass by many species of Fynbos and have beautiful views of the Tsitsikamma mountains to your left.

This gives way to the forest with Keurboom, Candlewood and some Yellowwood trees. You'll notice many bird species and might see bushbuck or see evidence of bushpig.

Because Nature's Valley is surrounded by sea, estuaries and the lush Tsitsikamma forest there are walks and hikes of all lengths and types. So if you're a keen hiker, its worth staying a couple of days in the area to explore the different trails. The trails form an intertwined network and you can 'tailor design' your walk according to your likes, time and fitness.

In general, make sure you've got good hiking shoes, enough water and something to eat (a good place to stock up is the Natures Way farm stall). Insect repellent is recommended in summertime. There is a lot of wildlife here and the terrain is diverse ranging from fynbos to estuaries to beaches and thick forests. Lots of photo opportunities, so pack a camera and a pair of binoculars.

Hikes

Saltwater Circular (Distance 6 km, Time 4 Hours)

Kalanderkloof

Grootriver

Keurpad and Rugpad

Nature's Valley is a little town, which is situated on the Garden Route of South Africa and is the only town that is completely surrounded by a Nature Reserve, the Tsitsikamma National Park. Its got the Indian Ocean on the one side, the foots of the Tsitsikamma mountains on the other, and is tucked between the Groot River lagoon and Saltwater estuary on its flancs.

About 10,000 years ago it was inhabited by the San hunter gatherers, but they got displaced later by the KhoiKhoi herders from the interior. After colonisation, the woodcutters of the Dutch East India company, in the late 1700's were the only ones in the area, causing devistation to the forests. In an attempt to stop the destruction, Sir Thomas Bain, a famous engineer responsible for constructing many passes in the area, by following the elephant trails through the mountains, constructed a road in 1880 to the coast which made Nature's Valley easily accessable.