Outeniqua Trail - Stunning Scenery
Situated in the Southern Cape, the Outeniqua Mountains are home to some of the most picturesque hiking trails in this part of the country. One such trail is the Outeniqua Trail, which stretches over 90 kilometers and is usually covered within five days. Shorter variants of the trail include the Millwood Circuit, the Jubilee Creek Walk, the Terblans Nature Walk, the Melville Peak trail and the Elephant Walk trail.
The Outeniqua Trail started life as a strenuous 8 day hiking trail which used to cover as many as 140 kilometers. It stretched from Witfontein to Diepwalle and, despite its allure, not many people were waiting in line to tackle it. In 1993 the trail was shortened by eliminating the first three days of the old trail. Now the trail starts in Beervlei from which you make your way to Windmeulnek hut. The last four days remain unchanged. There are currently plans to add another hut in the Kafferkop area which will add a further two days to the trail and link it with the already popular 2-day Harkerville Trail.
The main appeal of this trail is probably the Indigenous forest and montane fynbos through which you pass constantly as you make your way along the trail. There is also incredible mountain scenery and far off views of the coast which will soon become a part of the trail after the extension is done. There are also a few gold rush relics near Millwood which attaches an interesting historical dimension to the trail while birdlife and animal life are abundant. The huts can accommodate as many as thirty people and the trail often becomes wet and slippery due to rain and mist. There is also an abundance of mountain streams and pools which make for the perfect place to stop and cool off on a steamy hot day. Waterfalls add to the trail ambience and all these various elements combine to give you a memorable hiking experience.