Leopard's Gorge Hiking Trail

About Leopard's Gorge Hiking Trail

Start: Kogelberg Nature Reserve
Finish: Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens
Duration: 6km, roughly 4 hours
Fitness: moderate, this is a good one for families with children
Our tip: if you can, stay in the new Oudebosch eco cabins the night before your hike

Also known as the Oudebosch – Leopard's Gorge trail, this beautiful hike starts in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. The Kogelberg is a lost valley in the middle of the Cape mountains, one of Cape Nature's most beautiful protected area. There are a series of plants that occur only here in this nature reserve; no where else in the world.

The trail, which begins at the reserve office, heads up from the Palmiet River valley via an indigenous forest to above Leopard's Gorge, before ending in Betty's Bay. But not before some incredible views from above Harold Porter.

While still within the Kogelberg the trail follows the Oudebos River, heading up to Oude Bosch – what is left of an indigenous forest right at the top of the kloof. This is the only slightly taxing part of the hike. But it is worth it if you take the left fork at the end of the forest to see Betty's Bay and Stony Point come into view.

The scenery here is mesmerising. A walk across the top of the waterfall brings you to the cliffs above Leopard's Gorge, and you descend in a series of zig-zag before finishing in the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens.

The only effort is to manage two vehicles – one on either end of the hike. And make sure that you have enough time to reach Harold Porter before their gates close at 18h00.