Knysna Lakes Section

I am battling to piece together the jigsaw puzzle that is the Garden Route National Park. The least defined area appears to be the Knysna Lakes Section.

It appears to consist of various areas in and around Knysna, such as the forests of  Diepwalle, Millwood and Goudveld, and the coast at Harkerville, as well as smaller reserves such as the Steenbok Island Nature Reserve. The area is rich in a history which can be relived by visiting various attractions, such as the Goldfields.

I see that SANParks and CapeNature are also involved in various conservancy initiatives in the area.

Where to stay

I really want to go and check out this cool concept: timber camping decks which allow you to pitch your tent in sensitive areas without damaging the flora and fauna. SANParks has constructed these decks in the beautiful indigenous forest in the Diepwalle area in the Knysna Forest. http://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/tourism/camping_decks.php

Hiking

• Outeniqua Hiking Trail — 108km through the Diepwalle, Karatara and Gouna Forests
• Harkerville Coastal Trail
• Kranshoek Hike
• Perdekop Trail
• Elephant Walk trails at Diepwalle
• Circles in a Forest Trail
• Millwood Walk

What to do

1. Visit the Forest Legends Museum at Diepwalle
2. Visit the old gold-fields at Millwood
3. MTB
   1. The legendary Harkerville Red Route

Info-boards

Forest Creek waterfall, Circles in a Forest Trail

Diepwalle

Diepwalle fungus

Millipede

Diepwalle Camping decks

Diepwalle Community tea garden

Skeleton of elephant bull, discovered in 1983 in Harkerville indigenous forest south of “Garden of Eden” about 10 years after it died of old age.

Pictures in the Forest Legends Museum, Diepwalle