Greyton Nature Reserve

About Greyton Nature Reserve

The Greyton Nature Reserve, a series of rugged mountain slopes and incredible paths set within magnificent fynbos and wildflowers (in spring), lies on the edge of the town of Greyton, under two hours drive from Cape Town, 140 km on the N2 National Road.

Did you know?Within the Greyton Nature Reserve is an indigenous plant specific to Greyton – the pelargonium greytonens - part of the geranium family.

The Greyton reserve is famous for its one-day hike that traverses the Riviersonderend mountains between Greyton and McGregor (locally known as the Greyton-McGregor trail). If you're relatively unfit, or don't feel like doing the hike in its entirety, you are welcome to do the first 5 km without a permit (the permits for the hike are available from the Greyton Information Bureau).

The Greyton Nature Reserve lies within the greater Riviersondered Mountain Catchment Area, so whilst the reserve itself is not hugely big – 2 220 hectares - it exists against a greater background of undeveloped mountains.

Within the Greyton reserve, which you will find at the north end of Park Street in Greyton, is an indigenous plant specific to Greyton – the pelargonium greytonens - part of the geranium family. And if you're intent on a minor amble, then one of several trails in the reserve takes you to Noupoort or narrow pass, a particularly pretty gorge set in the mountains.

Another relatively easy walk is the 3km Platkloof walk, which starts and ends in the Greyton Nature Reserve. The east lobe of the trail allows fairly spectacular views of Greyton and of Abdolskop and Perdekop in the south-east.

Whilst spring is beautiful in the nature reserve, awash with the colour of spring flowers of the fynbos kingdom, winter is a spectacle too with snow donning the peaks around the village of Greyton, endowing it with the feeling of an alpine village.