Reserves | Outeniqua Nature Reserve

Outeniqua Nature Reserve

Map of Reserve area

Eagles, easy walks and epic hikes await visitors to the Outeniqua Nature Reserve.

Nature Reserve details

Located close to the Garden Route town of George and easily accessible from Mossel Bay, Knysna and Oudtshoorn, the Outeniqua World Heritage Site and Nature Reserve is about a five-hour drive from Cape Town. Spanning 40 000 hectares, the reserve encompasses the mountain ranges that fall between the coast and the semi-arid Klein Karoo. The primary attraction here is the opportunity to traverse the five mountain passes that fall within the reserve and explore the area’s rich diversity on the walking and hiking trails.

What to Do

Moderate trail available on the reserve which guests can enjoy.

Cradock Pass

Trail distance: 8.4km

Estimated hours: 6 hours

This hike follows the old path that settlers used with their ox-wagons to traverse the Outeniqua mountains from little karoo to coast. It starts from the Witfontein office and can be hiked as a one-way (clients can arrange their own transport to be picked up). Alternatively, clients can hike the trail out and back depending on their fitness level. An early start is suggested with limited water along the trail. This trail offers a lot of scenic views.

The name Outeniqua is believed to mean “those who bear honey” and is ascribed to the San and Khoi people who once inhabited the mountains. Their rock paintings are found throughout the reserve, depicting animals, hunters and honeycombs. The rugged mountains have long posed a barrier into the Klein Karoo and early settlers in the late 1600s used to follow herds of elephants to find easier ways through the area. The first pass, the Cradock Pass, was built in 1813, but was too steep for many to climb with ox-wagons. The Montagu Pass built in the mid-1800s eventually proved a safer and quicker option. Trail running, mountain biking and hiking are some of the main attractions together with more leisurely activities like bird watching and photographing the flora and scenic landscape. A conservation fee will be implemented, and permits will be available to purchase online or at the gate from 15 December 2025.

Easy to use trail maps for this reserve created by Forge can be downloaded here.

How to Get There

Outeniqua World Heritage Site and Nature Reserve has two offices situated in Witfontein and Ruiterbos.

Witfontein office: The office is just 4km outside the CBD of George towards Oudtshoorn on the Outeniqua Pass. This is the main office from where the protected area is managed.

Ruiterbos office: This satellite office lies between the towns of Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn opposite the Ruiterbos village along the Robinson Pass.

From Cape Town: Take the N2 highway towards George and travel for about 465km. Once in George, follow the signposts for the N12 towards Oudtshoorn. Travel for 4km along this road, then turn right towards Witfontein and right again into the Outeniqua Nature Reserve.

GPS: 33 56 08.0 S 22 25 38.4 E

33° 56' 07.9 S 22° 25' 38.10 E (Witfontein Office)
33° 54' 52.4 S 22° 01' 46.08 E (Ruiterbos Office)

General information

Office hours: 07:30–16:00

Tel: 087 087 4151

Permit bookings Tel: 087 087 8250