With its dramatic cliffs, beautiful ocean views, and an abundance of wildlife Robberg Nature Reserve is home to some of the greatest hiking trails along the Garden Route in South Africa. As a National Monument and a World Heritage Site this Robberg Nature Reserve is simply one of the places you must visit in Plettenberg Bay.
On a trip to the reserve, you will be spoiled with spectacular views that will leave you flabbergasted! As it is only a short trip from Plettenberg Bay, this incredible nature reserve is a perfect place to visit if you are road-tripping along the Garden Route.
In this post, you will find a complete guide to hiking in Robberg Nature Reserve. With a detailed guide of each of the hiking trails, as well as tips and tricks for your visit. Read along for the perfect day in Robberg Nature Reserve!
Hiking trail in Robberg Nature Reserve
Inside Robberg Nature Reserve you will find 3 hiking trails – each of varying lengths. The longest of the three takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete, and the shortest only 30 minutes. This means that there is something for everyone – whether you are an experienced hiker or a beginner. No matter which of the three trails you end up walking it is well worth it as you are rewarded with stunning views on each of them.
Each of the hiking trails in Robberg Nature Reserve has the same starting point and ends at the same point as well. The path follows along the northern side of the peninsula. During your walk, you have the chance to opt out twice before you reach the point of no return and must walk the longest of the routes. Below, you can read about each of the hiking trails in Robberg Nature Reserve.
Gap Circuit
Trail distance: 2.1 kilometers
Estimated time: 30 minutes
The Gap Circuit is the shortest and easiest of the 3 hiking trails in Robberg Nature Reserve. After starting at the parking area, you will pass a few lookout points – overlooking the ocean and Plettenberg Bay. Along the route, you will also pass a mudstone cleft.
This is a historical site that shows evidence from when the prehistoric supercontinent Gondwanaland broke up about 120 million years ago. Afterward, you will reach a bench area. Here you must either continue straight if you want to go further along the Witsand Circuit or the Point Circuit. If you are not interested in continuing you must turn right at the bench area and walk back to the parking area.
Witsand Circuit
Trail distance: 5.5 kilometers
Estimated time: 2 hours
From the turning point at the Gap Circuit, you will continue along the Witsand Circuit. This is the second longest of the trails in Robberg Nature Reserve. On this part of the trail, you will pass the resident seal colony before reaching the Witsand dunes.
Once you reach the sand dune you can either continue straight to tackle the Point Circuit (the longest hike) or you can turn right. If you turn right, you must walk down the sand dune towards Robberg Beach and loop back to the parking area from there.
Point Circuit
Trail distance: 9 kilometers
Estimated time: 4 – 5 hours
The Point Circuit is the hardest and longest of the hiking trails in Robberg Nature Reserve. However, this Robberg hike is well worth the sore legs as you are spoiled with stunning views. From the Witsand turn point, you must walk along the sand dunes and cliffs until you reach the point. This is the tip of the peninsula. From here you will have an incredible panoramic view overlooking the ocean.If you are visiting between June and November, you might spot whales. We were lucky enough to see 5 whales swimming by while we took a break.
From the Point, you are going to walk along the south side of the peninsula toward the parking area. Whereas you were walking high up the cliffs and the north side you must walk right by the ocean on the south side. This part of the hike is the most difficult one as it requires some sort of rock climbing, as well as a lot of stairs. But it is all worth it because of the beautiful views along the way.
After some time walking up and down the cliffs you will reach the Witsand Dune and Robberg Beach. From here you must walk the last stretch along the cliffs until you reach the parking area.
Is it difficult to hike in Robberg Nature Reserve?
We haven’t been hiking for a long time, so we were a bit nervous about going hiking in Robberg Nature Reserve. From what we had read online and heard others say about the hikes in the nature reserve – especially the Point Circuit – we thought it would be difficult to hike in the reserve. But we were pleasantly surprised to find out that it wasn’t that bad.
So no, it isn’t too difficult to hike in Robberg Nature Reserve. Especially the Gap Circuit is a very easy hike that can be done by most people. Whereas both Witsand Circuit and the Point Circuit require a bit more. The difficult part about the Witsand Circuit is mostly the sand. It can be quite tiring to walk in sand for so long, but other than that isn’t a difficult hike.
The Point Circuit on the other hand is more strenuous, especially on the south side of the peninsula as there are a lot of steep stairs and some boulders you must climb over. But we wouldn’t say that it is too difficult. If you bring food and snacks and remember to take breaks it shouldn’t be a problem for you to tackle any of the hikes in Robberg Nature Reserve. All the hikes are also very well-marked so you shouldn’t worry about getting lost.
The hurdle for our hiking trip was the heat. Even though we started our hike when the reserve opened it was a very hot day that required a lot of water breaks. And then we managed to forget our hiking shoes when we went on our Garden Route road trip. So, our feet were very sore after hours of hiking in Robberg Nature Reserve. But it was still very much worth it!
What to bring for your Robberg Nature Reserve hike
If you are planning on hiking in Robberg Nature Reserve, there are a few things you should bring along. Therefore, we have gathered this list of useful things to bring for your Robberg hike.
- Water – There is almost no shade in Robberg Nature Reserve. Therefore, you must bring enough water for your hike.
- A good pair of shoes – Walking for so many hours on uneven surfaces requires a good pair of shoes – preferably hiking shoes. A good grip is also a good idea, so you don’t have to worry about slipping on the cliff sides.
- Sunscreen – With no shade on the hiking trails it is a very good idea to use sunscreen. There is nothing fun in getting sunburned on your Robberg hike.
- Snack – No hike is complete without snacks.
- Binoculars – During your hikes in Robberg Nature Reserve you should keep your eyes open for seals, birds, whales, and even white sharks.
- Map – When you enter Robberg Nature Reserve you are given a map of the area. Bring this along for your hike to know your way. A bonus is that on the map you can find a lot of interesting information about the things that you pass along the trails.
Things to do in Robberg Nature Reserve
Besides the incredible hiking trails, there are a few other things that you might want to do while in Robberg Nature Reserve. We have listed some of the other things you might want to do while exploring the nature reserve.
Whale watching
As mentioned earlier, Robberg Nature Reserve is a great whale-watching spot. The best time to see the whales at Robberg Nature Reserve is in the months between June and November. During your hikes, you might be able to spot whales on both sides of the peninsula. But it is definitely at the tip of the peninsula, by the Point, that you have the best opportunity for whale watching.
Nelson Bay Cave
Inside Robberg Nature Reserve you can find the Nelson Bay Cave. This cave is a Stone Age site that was excavated back in the 1960s. You are able to walk inside the cave in which you will find a little hut with a lot of information about the inhabitants of the cave. The Nelson Bay Cave was occupied for the first time about 120.000 years ago, and it is also in this area that the first European settlement in South Africa took place. This cave is definitely worth a quick look when you are in Robberg Nature Reserve.
Go for a swim
Another great thing to do in the Robberg Reserve is to go for a swim. This will require hiking of either the Witsand Circuit or the Point circuit, as you will need to reach Robberg Beach. But it is definitely worth it as you are rewarded with stunning views along the hikes, and the beach is amazing. Dipping your feet in the water is nice after hours of hiking. And if you bring your swimsuit, it is a great beach to swim at. Just be careful of the currents, as they can be strong.
Picnic with a beautiful view
If you don’t want to go on a hike in Robberg the reserve is still very much worth a visit. Even from the parking area, you have an incredible view. There are also several braai and picnic areas for you to hang out at. Spending an evening in Robberg Nature Reserve is a great thing to do – and who wouldn’t want to eat a delicious meal while seeing the sun setting on the horizon?
Getting to Robberg Peninsula
Robberg Nature Reserve is only a short 8-kilometer drive from Plettenberg Bay. Getting to the reserve is easiest done by car. It is possible to take a taxi but for safety reasons, we would recommend you drive on your own. And if you are already on a Garden Route road trip this shouldn’t be a problem for you.
From the city center of Plettenberg Bay, you must drive along ‘Robberg Road’ until you reach ‘Whale Rock Drive’ on your left. From here it is straightforward until you reach the entrance gate of the nature reserve.
Opening hours of Robberg Nature Reserve
Robberg Nature Reserve is open to the public every day of the week. From November to April the reserve is open from 07:00 to 20:00, and from May to October Robberg Nature Reserve is open from 08:00 to 18:00.
Entrance fee to Robberg Nature Reserve
The entrance fee to Robberg Nature Reserve is 60 ZAR for an adult and 40 ZAR for a child. This fee to the nature reserve can be paid either by cash or card and if you are a Wild Card holder you get in for free.
Time spent in the nature reserve
How much time you spent inside Robberg Nature Reserve depends a lot on which of the hikes you end up taking. With the short hike taking about 30 minutes you probably won’t need more than 2 hours in total in the reserve. However, if you end up tackling the Point Circuit you should set aside at least 4 hours and probably more.
We spent about 5 hours hiking the Point Circuit where about 2 of these hours were used on breaks. And afterward, we spent some time exploring the area. We would highly recommend reserver about 5 to 7 hours for a visit to Robberg Nature Reserve. This is such a stunning natural area that you don’t want to feel rushed.
Spend a night at the Fountain Shack
If you want to spend a night inside Robberg Nature Reserve, it is actually possible. On the south side of the peninsula, you will find the Fountain Shack. This is a self-catering cabin that sleeps up to 8 people. This wooden cabin is very off the grid and offers amazing views of the Robberg Peninsula.
The catch is that the Fountain Shack is only reachable on foot. Which means you must hike for about 4 kilometers with all your stuff. And if you are up for a longer trek you can walk along the Witsand Circuit or the Point Circuit to reach the cabin.
As the Fountain Shack is self-catering you must bring most things with you. These are things like food, drinking water, sleeping bags, toilet paper, light/headlamp, and firewood. In the cabin you will find the following amenities:
- Electricity – run on solar power
- Bunk beds – with mattress, sheets, and pillows
- Hot water – however, it is limited
- Toilet and shower – both outside
- A fully equipped kitchen with a gas stove.
The best time to visit Robberg Nature Reserve
The best time to visit Robberg Nature Reserve is definitely in the months between June and November, as this is the best time to watch whales. If you are going on one of the hikes inside the reserve – especially the Witsand Circuit or the Point Circuit – we would highly recommend you start as early as possible. With no shade on the trails, it gets very hot during the day.
There is no bad time to visit Robberg Nature Reserve as the views are always stunning but if you are looking for a magical light you should visit around sunset. At this time of the day, the views from Robberg Nature Reserve are just magical!
