Hiking Trails
Next to the famous Klipgat Trail along the coast between Gansbaai and De Kelders, there are several hiking trails along the coast and in the mountains in the hinterland. Guided nature walks are also on offer on several nature estates, educating you about the medicinal values of the local fynbos plants or taking you up to stunning viewpoints on the highest mountain peaks. Special hikes are organised every month. Ask the tourism information offices for information.

Klipgat Trail
The Klipgat Trail is a 7km path meandering along the coast the coastal cliffs of De Kelders from Gansbaai harbour to KLIPGAT CAVE. The trail passes various caves and rockpools and crosses a unique habitat of the rare coastal limestone fynbos vegetation.

A protected cove, Stanford's Bay, in the middle of De Kelders is perfect for swimming. This is also the place where in modern times the first permanent coastal settlement was established in the area of the Danger Point Peninsula. In 1811 Quena-descendants erected fishing cottages next to the cove and started a thriving fishing culture in the Gansbaai area. It was used by Capt Robert Stanford to transport his fresh farm produce to the cape.

You will pass places with names like " Skulpiesbaai" named due to the abundance of beautiful shells found their.

"De Kelders" is the Afrikaans name for The Caves. Numerous larger and smaller caves penetrate deep into the rock formations under the houses of De Kelders. Famous is the Freshwater cave. This is a very deep cave leading to what seems to be an underground swimming pool. Due to conservation measures this cave not open to the public at present.

Along the way you pass a circular stone wall the locals call "Duiwelsgat" (The hole of the Devil). The origin of the name is "Duiwegat" (dove hole) due to the many rock pigeons that nest their. The wall was build by the first inhabitancy of the area to prevent the sheep & Cattle from falling into the hole which was formed by the collapse of the cave ceiling. Looking down into the hole (not advised for people with vertigo) you will see the waves of the ocean rolling in and out at the bottom.

Salmonsdam
Salmonsdam Nature Reserve ( 834 ha )lies 20 km east of Stanford, at the foot of the Perdeberg mountains. Salmonsdam's mountainous landscape is renown for its bird life, mountain fynbos and beautiful waterfalls, and attracts bird-watchers, hikers and other nature enthusiasts. According to local tradition the area was named after Captain Robert Salmon of the ill-fated HMS Birkenhead, which sank at Danger Point.

The vegetation in the area is predominantly mountain fynbos, with species such as ground proteas, disas, everlastings and waboom. Forest patches occur in many of the kloofs, with tall Cape beech and spoonwood trees. In the low-lying vlei area one finds fountain bush, reeds, water heath and various geophytes.

The reserve hosts various antelope, including bontebok, klipspringer, grey duiker and grey rhebuck, as well as baboons and numerous small mammals. More than 120 bird species have been recorded, notably various sunbirds and kingfishers, Cape rockjumper and black eagle (a bird list is available on request).

Walkerbay Nature Reserve
lies on the south-western Cape coast, bordering the village of De Kelders near Gansbaai. It stretches all the way to the Klein River estuary near Hermanus, covering about 1 000 ha with a spectacular 17km coastline. The reserve has a beautiful long beach, known as Die Plaat, with white sands and rocky limestone outcrops. The Walker bay Nature Reserve is ideal for day hikes along the coast, angling, swimming and picnicking.

Between De Kelders and the Walker Bay Nature Reserve is Klipgat Cave. The cave has dramatic views of Walker Bay and can be reached by a sequence of steps down from the parking area to the little cove in front of the cave. On the beach of the cove is a fresh water fountain. Some of the earliest remains of modern man, dating between 70'000 and 90'000 years back, have been found in the cave. More recently, some 2000 years ago, ancestors of the Khoenhoen had their home here as well. Proof that Khoenkhoen farmed sheep in the Western Cape (about 2000 years ago) has been found in the Klipgat Cave. Cape Nature has developed plans to protect the cave and make it suitable for a growing number of visitors. A board walk will connect the cove and the cave and an interpretation centre will be erected.

The spectacular Klipgat Trail (7kms) meanders along the coast from Gansbaai harbour, past De Kelders and ends at the Klipgat Cave.

Lowland coastal fynbos, also known as strandveld, is the main type of vegetation in this area, and is characterised by species such as bietou, blombos, sour fig and waxberry. Parts of the dunefields were stabilised from the early 1900s until the 1980s, using alien Rooikrans and Port Jackson. These species are invasive and, together with uncontrolled coastal development, pose a threat to the indigenous strandveld. Dense thickets of old milkwoods occur along the banks of the Klein River lagoon and at Stanford's Cove.

Most of the mammals occurring in the reserve are shy, but the tracks of Cape clawless otter, bushbuck, duiker, grysbok and steenbok are occasionally observed. Off-shore, Southern Right Whales occur from about August to November, while Bryde's and humpback whales and various dolphin species occur throughout the year. Marine fish include the sought-after galjoen, kabeljou and steenbras, which may be caught at Galjoenbank, Sopiesklip, Skeurbank and other fishing sites.

The reserve has numerous species of seabirds, including the striking African black oystercatcher. This species is threatened by coastal recreational activities because it breeds on beaches in the summer.

Heidehof Medicinal Walk
Matthia Schwiegler, local specialist in the medicinal values of fynbos, takes you through the lime-stone hills of Heidehof, home to some very rare fynbos species and shows you around the commercial indigenous cut-flower fields.On the road from Gansbaai to Baardskeerdersbos past Kraaiboschdam and the Lamond vineyards to your right.

Sandberg Fynbos Reserve
Accredited fieldguide Gerard van Deventer takes you on a tour on this 900 ha fynbos reserve in the plains just before the moravian mission village of Elim and in the Geelkop Nature Reserve near Elim, home to a very special and localised fynbos habitat: "Elim Fynbos".

Grootbos Nature Reserve
Nestling in the fynbos clad hills above Walker Bay with breathtaking views of dunes, sea and the distant Cape of Good Hope. Experience some of the world's richest flora, the mystical Milkwood forest, the fascinating fauna and marine life that enthrals. Enjoy the many trails with specialist guides that will convey to you the wonders of our unique flora and fauna along walking trails, on horse back or mountain bike, or in a 4x4 vehicle.

Farm 215 nature retreat & fynbos reserve
Guides take you up to the mountains and into the mountain catchment of the "Koueberge" in this 800 ha reserve with pristine fynbos fields and never-ending views and into deep riverine kloofs with indigenous forest and waterfalls. Lunch can be arranged at the lodge of the retreat. On the road from Gansbaai to Baardskeerdersbos past Kraaiboschdam and the Lamond vineyards to your left.

Milkwood Hiking Trail
This hiking trail is situated next to the seaside village of Franskaal. The 2 km circular trail is ideal to discover not only the old milkwood trees but many other species of typical strandveld vegetation ,the coastal olive rubs shoulders with cherrywood and num-numand blue kunibush are next door neighbours to the bastard saffronwood. Listen to the bokmakierie singing a duet with his mate; look around for the shy purple babianasand wild sorrel's delicate hues competing with the gaudy pink of the tiny vygie . Different species of pelargonium grow in profusion in sunny spots.This easy 1 hour walk is an perfect introduction to the local Flora.