Robberg Nature Reserve: the three CapeNature trails
Robberg is a CapeNature reserve 8km south of Plettenberg Bay, not a SANParks camp. The listing on Hikeza is Robberg Nature Reserve. Distances and the day fee below are from CapeNature's own reserve and tariff pages.
The three walks
All three start at the same entrance. CapeNature's wording:
- Gap Circuit — 2.1km, about 30 minutes. Shortest and easiest, into a mudstone cleft with evidence of Gondwanaland's break-up. Stay back from cliffs in wind.
- Witsand Circuit — 5.5km, about two hours. Northern ridge to the climbing-falling dune, then down to the tombolo and boardwalk. Seal colony and kelp gulls along the way.
- Point Circuit — 9.2km, about four hours. Fairly strenuous, not recommended for young children. North ridge to the Point, return on the southern rocky shoreline.
Fee, hours, picnic decks
Day visit: R75 per adult, R55 per child at the gate (CapeNature Robberg tariffs). CapeNature also documents a cashless system on reserves — take a card. Gate times are seasonal; the reserve page currently describes last-entry rules that change through the year, so check the live reserve page the morning you go.
Three viewing decks have picnic facilities and water points. No pets, no fires except at designated spots, no fishing without a marine permit. Southern right whales are typically seen from the peninsula from June to November.
Reserve phone: 087 087 3937. Accommodation and permit bookings: 087 087 8250.
If you want forest instead of a peninsula
Storms River Mouth is a further drive east: the Tsitsikamma hiking trails sit inside Garden Route National Park. Browse all Garden Route listings or Plettenberg Bay on its own.
- How much is Robberg Nature Reserve?
- CapeNature’s published day-visit tariff is R75 per adult and R55 per child at the entrance gate. Confirm on the live tariff page; the reserve uses a cashless payment system.
- How long is the Robberg hike?
- CapeNature lists three circular walks: Gap Circuit 2.1km (about 30 minutes), Witsand Circuit 5.5km (about two hours) and Point Circuit 9.2km (about four hours).
- Are dogs allowed at Robberg?
- No. CapeNature’s reserve rules say no pets.