The Harkerville Coastal Trail

A 2 day walk that starts and ends at the Harkerville Hut, not far from the gate down to the Kranshoek viewpoint, halfway between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna.  Most information I'd read talks about it as being 'a tough hike that is not for the unfit or inexperienced'.  My issue with this is that only part of it is actually a hike.  A big chunk involves scrambling, climbing and desperately clinging onto slippery rock faces.  The trail should NOT be done by anyone with a fear of heights or those who aren't keen on negotiating dangerous sheer drops and climbs.  It's certainly an adventure but it requires some concentration and a lot of care. 

The scenery along the way is truly spectacular, taking you through beautiful thick forest, along colourful clifftops and across the wild coastline.  The Sinclair Hut, your overnight stop, is perfectly adequate and a wonderful spot for a braai and a glass of wine.  There were some awesome sections but my lasting memory will be the incredible relief I felt on getting to the end, knowing that our whole group had made it alive and in one piece.  Harkerville Coastal Trail - nope - let's rather call it 'The Cliffhanger'.