The Overberg Trail Experience is rated as a Medium level hike. There are no hands-on climbs, exposed heights or ledges but there are some sections of loose material, and hiking sticks are advised. It is suitable for regular hikers of all ages and recently a fit 82-year old completed it comfortably! The daily distances vary from 6.4km to 14km on the last day, which is mostly a gentle downhill. On a scale of 5 it would be a 3.
Relying on the support of the landowners, the Overberg Trail Experience runs largely over privately owned land, so we ask that you respect the environment and do not smoke or light fires on the trail. Please also take any of your litter with you and leave only footprints behind.
The Kleinrivier Mountains are within sight of the sea, so the area enjoys cool sea breezes and does not become unbearably hot in summer. We have designed the trails, so that the uphill sections are done in the cool of the morning. In our experience, the best walking months are September to May. The Overberg Trail Experience runs all year round – except for the school holidays in December/January and June/July.
If you need assistance with regards to a shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport, or extra nights’ accommodation before or after the Overberg Trail Experience, we can gladly help to arrange that. Please send us an email to info@overbergtrailexperience.co.za and specify your requests. Alternatively, Contact Cindy du Plooy at cindy.duplooy76@gmail.com (084 261 4095) for all your flight and airport transfer requirements.
The Overberg Trail Experience starts and finishes at Heilfontein Farm, Tesselaarsdal – about 130km from Cape Town. We will send you a WhatsApp Location pin to get there. It is a gentle 2hrs drive from Cape Town and arrival time on day 1 is 16:00 Monday. Your cars will remain parked at Heilfontein Farm for the duration of the 4 nights. We will keep the keys for you if you wish.
The Overberg Trail Experience finishes in Hermanus at 14:00 Friday and you will then be transported back to your vehicle at Heilfontein Farm by 15:00. If you are taking a flight out of Cape Town, then we suggest that you book a flight for no earlier than 18:00.
In addition to basic hiking clothing , we suggest the following items:
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Sunscreen, lip protection & sunglasses.
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Broad brim hat.
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Waterproof poncho & windbreaker.
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Hiking boots or trail shoes.
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For women, stretch hiking leggings for Day 4, as the bush can be scratchy
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Swimming costume and trail towel.
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Socks – 5 pairs.
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15-25 litre day backpack.
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A water bottle with minimum capacity of 1lt.
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Head torch.
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Collapsable walking stick if required.
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Portable charger for cellphone.
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If you wish, a small overnight bag for Night 1 at Phillipskop, as the remainder of your baggage can be left at Heilfontein Farm for nights 2,3 & 4.
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We pride ourselves on the quality and variety of our food which is all provided by local chefs. Please note that we cater for all dietary requirements - vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or other. We will try and accommodate your special needs, within reason and we will send you a form for completion, prior to arrival.
There is Wifi or cell phone reception throughout most of the Trail and there will be charging facilities each night.
At the start of each Overberg Trail Experience, we create a special “WhatsApp” group for safety and communication purposes - as well as for sharing photographs and experiences.
We are registered for VAT and our quoted rates include VAT. We welcome corporate bookings. Kindly note that our rates are quoted on a per-person shared room basis. The single supplement also applies if a booking results in someone having their own room e.g. a booking for 3 people.
Cameras are most welcome but for reasons of weight, we suggest using your cellphone for photos and videos. No drones or pets are allowed.
You will be required to sign a standard indemnity form. Without it, you will unfortunately not be able to join us on the Overberg Trail Experience. We will send this to you when your final balance is paid.
Hiking is a great outdoor activity but comes with some inherent risks. Please ensure that you have suitable medical coverage and/or travel insurance that includes comprehensive protection for personal needs such as cancellations, medical expenses, and emergency repatriation in case of accidents, injuries, illnesses, evacuations, or other unforeseen circumstances.
A 50% deposit via EFT is required within 7 days of booking, otherwise your booking will be automatically cancelled. The balance of your payment is due no later than 30 days before arrival. A full refund of the deposit will be made if the booking is cancelled at least 31 days before the start date of your Overberg Trail Experience.