4 Day Green Mountain Slackpacking Trail

The spectacular 4 Day Green Mountain Trail takes ‘slackpackers’ on a fully-guided, 60km journey along scenic hiking trails around Green Mountain, or the Groenlanberg, situated in the Overberg region.

The fertile valleys in this region are famous for their productive fruit orchards and vineyards as well as some of the area’s largest tracts of renosterveld, an important vegetation type of the Cape Floristic Region. Highlights of the Trail include stunning fynbos heath land, wine tastings, gourmet delights focusing on local produce, and the opportunity to spot wildlife and birds including klipspringer and Verreaux’s eagle.

Each trail accommodates a maximum of 10 people on a sharing basis. Trails commence on a Monday afternoon and conclude on Friday after lunch as follows:

Begin the day prior to the start of the trail, arriving at the beautiful Porcupine Hills boutique olive farm anytime from 16h00. Enjoy wine tasting followed by dinner and an overnight stay. Porcupine Hills is the start and end point of the Green Mountain Trail and as such, cars may be parked on the farm.

Day 1:
Kogelberg Conservancy Core (18km / 6 hours / 3,5 lod*)
After breakfast at Porcupine Hills, we transfer to the Kogelberg Biosphere fringe by tractor. Our walk today will take us on a steady climb to the top the Groenlandberg through the Biosphere Core to Nuweberg after which we transfer to Porcupine Hills for dinner and overnight.

Day 2:
Fynbos & Vines (15km / 5 hours / 2,5 lod*)
We transfer to Nuweberg and your baggage will be taken on to Wildekrans Country House. Enjoy a picturesque walk through fynbos and vineyards at the foot of the Groenlandberg followed by a picnic lunch on Oak Valley Wine Estate. We continue to Paul Cluver Wine Estate to enjoy wine tasting and afternoon tea. Transfer to the historic Wildekrans Country House in Houw Hoek Village for dinner and overnight.

Day 3:
Game & Forests (13km / 4-5 hours / 3 lod*)
Enjoy breakfast at Wildekrans followed by a transfer to Paul Cluver estate for today’s walk which takes us through the Paul Cluver game and poplar forest. Lunch will be under the trees at Wildekrans Country House followed by an afternoon at leisure as well as wine tasting, dinner and your second overnight at Wildekrans.

Day 4:
Leopard & Ox Wagon Route (11km / 4-5 hours/ 3 lod*)
After breakfast at Wildekrans, we head towards Bot River on foot through pretty Biosphere fynbos and pause for a rest stop at Stony Beach and Ledge Rock. A climb up Pincushion Ridge is rewarded by the incredible Hawston View. Continuing on to Bot River, we enjoy Beaumont Wines and lunch in Bot River village before transferring to Porcupine Hills to freshen up and collect your car.

*Itinerary subject to change due to unforeseen conditions, changing seasons or alternative ‘hosting’ developments.
*Optional extras charged separately – early arrivals and light lunch, transfers to airport, drinks, early trail exits, wine couriers.
*Given different ability of hikers, limited early exits are available on all days except Day 4. Those exiting early will miss the events on the trail that day and be charged an exit fee.
*lod:  Level of difficulty, with five being the most difficult. As per Fiona Mackintosh from Slackpacking SA.