Robberg Nature Reserve
Hike in the Robberg Nature Reserve and experience dramatic views and breathtaking scenery.
Robberg 101
Where? 8 km south of Plettenberg Bay. Turn off the N2 onto the Piesang Valley Road towards Plett.
Hours: 7 am – 5 pm every day (from 8 am in December and January).
Cost: R25 per adult and R12 per child; free with a Wild Card. Staying over at Fountain Shack costs R360 a night in the low season and R1 040 in peak season; maximum 8 guests. (Note: Prices accurate in February 2010)
Contact: 021 659 3500; www.capenature.org.za
Other things to do? Visit the archaeological site at Nelson Bay Cave.
Pick your route
Robberg Nature Reserve has three circular hiking trails, each of differing length and difficulty.
I decide to tackle the longest trail, the Point Circuit (9,2 km). You walk all the way around the Robberg Peninsula, sleep over at the remote Fountain Shack, and return to the parking area the next morning.
Watch the water
CapeNature supplies a bag of braai and cleaning utensils at the gate. I attach the bag to my rucksack and head off. At Robberg you have to keep an eye on the tides: The entire route traverses rocks, and it can be dangerous during high tide.
A perfect view
The views are breathtaking. I can see Beacon Isle, Plettenberg Bay, Keurbooms and the rest of the coastline all the way to Nature’s Valley. It’s a quiet Monday afternoon. Aside from a German family, I don’t encounter anyone. A little further, between The Gap and Witsand, I hear a hoarse barking noise. About 30 Cape fur seals play on the rocks.
Homeward bound
At Witsand’s dune you can take a shortcut, but I press on along the longer route. You have to watch your step here – the rocks are often wet and slippery. It’s getting late and high tide is minutes away.
I left my route map in the car. I phone the NSRI to find out how far I still have to go to get to the Fountain Shack. Fortunately only about 500 m, the man reassures me.
A true explorer
Fifteen minutes, just before sunset, I reach Fountain Shack – a neat little wooden hut with eight bunk beds, a kitchen and a braai. I make a fire, sit on the stoep and marvel at the view. Even though Plett isn’t far away, you can only reach this hut on foot, and since the hut at the tip of the peninsula was flattened by a freak wave in September 2008, this is the only overnight place in the reserve. I feel like Robinson Crusoe – or perhaps that should be Robbergson.
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