GEORGE NEWS - South African National Parks (SANParks) is celebrating its 19th annual SA National Parks Week this week until Sunday 15 September. This gives day visitors free access to most of the 22 national parks, including the Garden Route National Park.
Access to accommodation facilities and other tourist activities are excluded.
Since its inception in 2006, National Parks Week under the theme 'Know your National Parks', has seen an influx of more than 619 200 day visitors in participating parks, including the Wilderness National Park.
Where to go in Wilderness
Locals have a choice of places they can visit. The Woodville Big Tree is a short drive from Ebb and Flow Rest Camp and an easy walk from the parking area to the 810-year-old Outeniqua yellowwood tree. The hike is self-guided.
Visitors can also opt to canoe via the Touw River to Wilderness Beach or walk the Kingfisher trail. The park, with its lush indigenous forest, sparkling rocky shores and pristine sandy beaches, is a bird watcher's paradise. The area has many bird hides to visit.
Other hiking trails to explore include the Half Collared Kingfisher Trail, the Giant Kingfisher Trail that leads to a beautiful waterfall, the Pied Kingfisher Trail, which is mainly used for bird watching, the Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail and the Cape Dune Molerat Trail.
The Outeniqua Mountains offer a variety of mountain biking trails and footpaths to explore.
When hiking or cycling anywhere, please remember to be vigilant at all times, take enough water and preferably enjoy your adventure with a partner and/or an experienced mountain guide.
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