Image: Courtesy of Anrich Schnetler
What exactly does the Plett Camino route look like? … This is the question we are asked most often.
The answer is simple. “No two days are the same.”
The Plett Camino is a five day, five night slackpacking experience through some of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in the Garden Route. Guests arrive on either a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, where we all meet for the first evening together before the walking begins. From there, the hike runs either Sunday to Thursday or Monday to Friday.
Over the course of the week, hikers move through ancient indigenous forests, mountain valleys, pine plantations, fynbos covered hillsides, farmland, river crossings, game reserves, wine estates, and finally the rugged coastline of Robberg Nature Reserve.
Every day feels completely different from the last. What follows is an immersive day by day journey of the unique experiences that define the Plett Camino.
Day One. Into the Jungle.
The first walking day is what many hikers affectionately call “The Jungle Day.”
This is the day we disappear deep into the ancient Knysna forest.
The experience changes almost immediately as the outside world fades away and the single track trail winds beneath towering trees and dense forest canopy. The air becomes cooler and earthy. There is the smell of damp soil and moss, the sound of birds echoing through the trees, and the occasional signs of wildlife scattered along the trail.
It feels remote. Quiet. Untouched.
Many hikers describe this day as surprisingly emotional because of the sense of isolation and immersion in nature. There are birds, mushrooms, fungi, giant trees, moss covered logs, and countless small details that most people never notice in everyday life.
Along the way, our guides share stories of the forest and its history, including remnants of the old woodcutter routes and the saw pits still hidden among the trees from the days of the Knysna timber industry.
Eventually, the forest opens up and we emerge at Greenfern Lodge, tucked quietly amongst the trees.
And this is where the magic of slackpacking really begins.
Waiting for you are hot showers, comfortable beds, welcoming lounges, swimming pools in summer, crackling fireplaces in winter, and of course the famous post hike reward of ice cold drinks or gin and tonics after a long day on the trail.
Dinner is hearty, relaxed, and social. Shoes are dried near the fire. Stories are exchanged over glasses of red wine. Some guests play games, some chat around the fire, others simply sit quietly and absorb the atmosphere of being deep in the forest with nowhere else to be.
Day Two. Forest Trails, Mountain Views, and Wine in the Wilderness
Day Two begins with another gentle immersion into the forest as we leave the lodge behind and once again step beneath the canopy of the ancient Knysna woods.
The trail winds through indigenous forest before eventually opening into beautiful pine sections that lead us toward one of the most spectacular viewpoints on the entire route.
Far below lies the magnificent Bitou Valley, layered in deep green forest with winding rivers cutting through the landscape, while the distant uplands stretch endlessly toward the horizon.
By midday, we arrive at Packwood Wine Estate for what many guests describe as one of the unexpected highlights of the week.
Tucked away like a hidden oasis amongst the forests and hills, Packwood offers a relaxed wine tasting paired with generous charcuterie boards and local cheeses. After a morning on the trail, sitting under the trees with a glass of wine and incredible food feels wonderfully indulgent.
After lunch, we continue on foot toward Protea Wilds Eco Reserve.
Perched high above the Bitou River Valley, Protea Wilds delivers yet another completely different atmosphere. Wide open skies replace the enclosed forest. Sunsets spill across the valley below. The evening becomes one of good food, laughter, storytelling, and the quiet happiness that settles over a group after a full day spent outdoors together.
Day Three. Traversing the Bitou Valley
By Day Three, the rhythm of the Camino has truly settled in.
We leave Protea Wilds in the early morning light and begin descending into the magnificent Bitou River Valley below.
This is one of the most visually dramatic days on the route.
The morning starts high above the valley with sweeping views back across the forests we have already travelled through. As the trail gradually winds downward, the landscape begins to change completely. Dense forest gives way to the lush green floodplains surrounding the Bitou River, where farmland, rivers, and rolling vegetation create a softer and more open scenery.
Eventually, we make our way across the river itself before beginning the gradual climb through the fynbos up the opposite side of the valley.
Now the views stretch endlessly outward toward Plettenberg Bay in the distance, with patches of farmland, indigenous vegetation, and fynbos creating a constantly shifting backdrop.
Lunch is enjoyed in a clearing amongst the trees on one of the beautiful farms high above the valley, where hikers can rest, refuel, and soak up the peaceful surroundings. On many days, surprise refreshments appear at exactly the right moment along the route to give everyone a boost for the final stretch of the day.
From there, we continue toward Bella Manga Country Escape.
Tucked away in the middle of the rolling uplands, this overnight stop feels wonderfully remote and peaceful. Wide open skies, fresh country air, warm hospitality, rejuvenating massages all round, a swimming pool or fireside comfort, and another memorable evening together await at the end of the trail.
Day Four. Safari, River Crossings, and the Famous Postman’s Climb
Day Four is one of the most varied and adventurous days on the entire Plett Camino route.
The morning begins as we head toward Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve, where the hiking boots briefly give way to safari vehicles for a completely different kind of experience.
Guests climb aboard open game drive vehicles and head out into the reserve in search of wildlife. Along the way, it is common to encounter plains game, crocodiles, antelope, and a variety of birdlife, all set against the backdrop of the magnificent Tsitsikamma Mountains and a landscape that feels surprisingly similar to the African savanna.
At the end of the game drive, we are back on our feet and begin the winding descent toward the magnificent Keurbooms River.
The views along this section are spectacular. Towering cliffs, lush vegetation, winding river systems, and deep green valleys surround the route as we make our way down toward the river crossing.
Once across the bridge spanning the mighty Keurbooms, we begin the ascent of what has become one of the most talked about sections of the Camino.
The famous Postman James Climb. Named in honour of the postmen of a bygone era who carved this trail as their only route from the Cape Colony, across the Keurbooms River and onward to the remote homesteads of The Crags and beyond. It also pays tribute to our own intrepid trailblazer, James, who rediscovered this long forgotten path while helping lay the foundations of the Plett Camino a few years ago.
This steady ascent winds upward through fynbos and natural vegetation for around forty-five minutes as the trail climbs toward the plantations high above the Keurbooms Valley. While it is certainly one of the more challenging climbs of the week, it is very manageable at a comfortable pace, and the sense of achievement at the top makes every step worthwhile.
From there, the trail continues through a constantly changing mix of pine plantations, indigenous forest, and open countryside before eventually arriving in the beautiful wine lands of The Crags in the east.
The day finishes at Kay and Monty Vineyards, a firm favourite amongst hikers, with a relaxed wine tasting and well deserved snacks as the afternoon sun bakes the lush vineyards.
Day Five. Robberg, Ocean Views, and the Final Farewell
The final day of the Plett Camino brings everything full circle.
After days spent moving through the forests, valleys, rivers, mountains, and farmlands, the journey returns to the coastline at one of the most iconic hiking destinations in South Africa.
The Robberg Nature Reserve.
For many hikers, this final stage feels like the perfect ending to the week. The morning begins with cappuccinos on the deck, high above the waves below.
The route along Robberg showcases a completely different side of the Garden Route landscape. Towering cliffs, crashing waves, endless ocean views, rugged coastline, and sea air replace the forests and valleys of the previous days.
The hike itself is shorter and more relaxed, giving guests time to slow down, absorb the scenery, and truly enjoy the experience.
Along the way, the views down into the ocean are extraordinary. Depending on the season and conditions, hikers often spot seals, dolphins, birdlife, and occasionally even sharks moving through the waters below. One of the highlights is passing high above the famous seal colony, where hundreds of seals can be seen and heard from the cliffs above.
Eventually, the trail descends the spectacular sand dune at Witsand before reaching the beach below. Many groups take the opportunity to swim, relax on the beach, dip tired feet into the ocean, or simply sit quietly and soak up the final moments of the Camino together.
Depending on conditions and energy levels, some groups continue further around the island loop, where the scenery becomes even more dramatic with rugged rock formations, powerful ocean swells, and panoramic coastal views of the “Wild Side”.
Eventually, we return to the top of the reserve where we head back for one final celebration together.
The journey concludes with a sumptuous farewell lunch at the legendary Down to Earth Restaurant, where stories are shared, photographs exchanged, and new friendships firmly cemented.
By the end of the week, hikers who arrived just five days earlier as strangers depart feeling like family. Many speak of the rare gift of stepping away from the noise of daily life, from responsibilities, routines, and constant demands, only to return home refreshed, re-energised, and deeply restored.
Somewhere between the ancient forests, winding rivers, mountain passes, wine farms, game reserves, and dramatic ocean cliffs, the Plett Camino quietly works its magic. Lives are touched, friendships are forged, and Plettenberg Bay leaves an indelible mark on all who experience it. For many, the memories of those five extraordinary days linger long after the final footsteps have faded.
About the Plett Camino
The Plett Camino is a premium multi day, overnight, 5 day hiking trail experience in the Western Cape and along South Africa’s iconic Garden Route. Regarded as one of the country’s leading upmarket slackpacking hikes, the fully catered experience includes luxury accommodation, all meals and drinks, luggage transfers, wine tastings, guided hiking, and a host of unforgettable surprises along the way.
Plett Camino Experience Highlights
• 5 days / 5 nights
• ±80km fully slackpacked hiking adventure
• Located along the Garden Route in the Western Cape
• Indigenous forests and mountain passes
• River valleys and coastal trails
• Wine estates and vineyard experiences
• Private game reserve walking sections
• Robberg Nature Reserve and ocean cliffs
• Luxury accommodation throughout
• All meals, drinks and snacks included
• Daily luggage transfers
• Guided hiking experience
• Ideal for couples, friends and solo travellers
