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Keurboomstrand to Nature's Valley Trail
The Keurboomstrand to Nature’s Valley Trail is well-known amongst locals, vacationers and tourists who reside in this area. The unique hiking trail allows the hiker to experience pristine fauna & flora and is popular with outdoor activity enthusiasts and nature lovers. This seaside track stretches from Keurboomstrand (34.00°S, 23.27°E) to Nature’s Valley (33.58°S, 23.33°E), covering approximately 10 km of the southern coastline of South Africa.

The trail winds through dense indigenous forests and natural fynbos that form part of the Garden Route (Tsitsikamma) National Park. The pristine, rocky shores of the Indian Ocean and wild river gorges offers a unique encounter with nature’s beauty. Picturesque rock formations are visible throughout the walk and scenic views promise for breathtaking photo opportunities.

No permit is needed for the hike, but it is recommended to inform friends or family of the planned hike. As mobile phone reception is intermittent on the trail, this will allow for support in the event of an emergency along the route. The trail is very secluded and it is strongly advised that hikers do not complete the trail on their own. A group size of at least three hikers is recommended.

The level of intensity of this trail is suited for medium to experienced hikers. The estimated hiking time is dependent on the hiker's fitness level and will vary between 5 to 8 hours. Upper body strength is required on certain sections of the track. The hike should preferably be planned at low tide to ensure the safe crossing of rock pools closer to Nature’s Valley.

Hiking essentials
Hikers are encouraged to take a small backpack with essential supplies and gear. A mobile phone will be crucial in the event of an emergency along the trail and should be packed in a watertight container. Basic medical supplies in a small pouch could be very useful. This should include a pocket knife, bandages, an emergency blanket, antihistamine tablets and other personal medication needed by the hiker.

To prevent dehydration when temperatures rise unexpectedly, it is essential to take enough water on the hike as no drinking water sources are available along the route. At least 1.5 litres of water per person is recommended, depending on the forecasted day temperature. Be sure to pack enough food to maintain constant energy levels throughout the hike. To prevent sunburn, sunscreen and a hat are needed. Suitable, lightweight, all-terrain shoes are essential.

Snorkelling gear is recommended as some rock pools might have high visibility and could deliver the opportunity to spot the Indian Ocean’s unique colourful marine life. It is important to take care in selecting suitable rock pools that are safe for snorkelling. Snorkelling at high tide could be dangerous due to potential strong currents.

Garden Route (Tsitsikamma) National Park
The Garden Route National Park is managed by SANParks, the leader in the conservation and protection of national parks worldwide. SANParks has authority under the Department of Environmental Affairs to operate a total of 19 national parks in South Africa. A section of the Garden Route National Park comprises the Tsitsikamma National Park, stretching for 70km along the south-east coast of South Africa. ‘Tsitsikamma’ is a word of Khoisan origin meaning “a place of much water”. The Keurbooms to Nature’s Valley Trail is included in the scope of the Tsitsikamma National Park.

The Tsitsikamma National Park is accountable for the protection of a significant portion of the Garden Route’s fauna, flora and marine life. Its conservation area stretches 5km out to sea, covering the mainland of the park as well as the beaches, reefs and deeper water. Since 1964, it is listed as a leading Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the world.

Geography
The Tsitsikamma National Park includes a range of mountains with rivers forming deep ravines. At the foot of the mountains, a densely forested coastal plateau is found. This is accompanied by steep cliffs and hills leading down to the rugged coastline. The unspoilt shore of the Indian Ocean features indigenous flora & fauna, with various marine species in the inter-tidal reef.

The Southern African shores are divided into three biogeographic regions: the west coast or Namaqua, the south coast or Agulhas and the east coast or Natal. The appearance of biota on the rocky shores of the Keurboomstrand to Nature’s Valley Trail forms part of the warm-temperate south coast or Agulhas province. With geographical differences, the patterns and structure of biomass vary between these regions. Data of biomass contributions are observed by dividing the data into categories, including sheltered and exposed shores, and taking the action of waves into consideration.

Wave action is directly related to the structure of intertidal communities in South Africa. Within all biogeographic provinces, the evidence of biomass on exposed shores was greater in comparison to sheltered shores. Consequently, the less exposed shores on the south coast of South Africa had, on average, less biomass than the west coast region. However, independent of the distribution of biomass, semi-exposed and sheltered shores, including the Agulhas province, are dominated by a far more diverse range of species.

Climate
The Cape south coast of South Africa is known for its variability in weather with prevailing synoptic conditions and associated interannual rainfall variability. The main rain-producing systems include high-pressure systems, tropical-temperate troughs and cut-off lows (COLs). Although this is an all-year rainfall region with small fluctuations in the monthly rainfall totals, rainfall peaks were identified in Autumn, August and October.

Fish
The South African Journal of Marine Science provides a detailed review of the management of four species of shore-angling fish on the shores of the South-Eastern Cape of South Africa. There are several methods that are used to apply restrictions in marine protected areas to avoid the overexploitation of fish. These control policies, the Operational Management Procedures (OMPs), are applied to both commercial and recreational fisheries.

In the Tsitsikamma National Park, where the Keurboomstrand to Nature’s Valley Trail is located, a total of 202 species of fish, rays and sharks are found. Of these recorded species, 15 are listed on the red data list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as vulnerable or threatened. The majority of the remaining species are categorized as over-exploited. Therefore, one of the main research areas for the protection of marine is Tsitsikamma National Park. This park has three controlled areas which are open to local communities for fishing, with the rest of the coastline strictly labelled as a closed fishing zone.

Mammals
Common Dolphins are frequently seen in this area, surfing the waves breaking on to the shore. The Southern Right Whale makes its appearance in the shallower waters during their breeding season. Bushbuck and Blue Duiker are rare, but often sighted by hikers. The Cape Clawless Otter hunts on marine life and resides in river gorges such as the Salt River mouth.

Other marine life
The animals and plants in the coastal rock pools are exposed to different conditions depending on the rise and fall of the tide. This delivers a range of different species when exploring the rock pools. Colourful sponges, green algae, mussels and coral seaweed are found in the rock pools. Various small fish are also noticed, including the Bluntnose Klipfish that lives in the shallow water. Octopus frequent the tidal pools and hide in crevices. They are very territorial and can change the colour of their skin instantly, a method to camouflage when avoiding predators.

Along the sandy beaches, plough snails (Bullia digitalis) are common. The plough snail resides in a unique shell, identified by its whorls spiralling to the tip of the shell, of approximately 60mm. When in danger, it retracts its thick, white foot into the shell to protect its most vulnerable parts. This small sea snail is uniquely adapted to sense any source of protein washed up on the beach. They are often seen accumulated in a large group to feed on dead sea life such as jellyfish and blue bottles.

The Three Spot Swimming Crab (Ovalipes trimaculatus) can be found along the sandy beaches, endemic to South Africa. It has five pairs of legs with the first having strong nippers, used for gathering food and protection, and the last in the shape of paddles to assist with swimming. This crab feeds on plough snails and white mussels and can grow up to a width of 6cm.

Birds
The Tsitsikamma National Park has a diverse birdlife with a total of more than 220 different bird species recorded. Although listed as a threatened species, the African Black Oystercatcher nest on the boulders of the shore of the TNP. This endangered species provides a special sighting for birdwatchers. Knysna Louries are common to hear or spot in the thick coastal forest. Other bird species include African emerald cuckoos, African fish eagles, olive woodpeckers and giant kingfishers.

Flora
The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa contains a variety of 9,030 plant species and is worldwide known for its rich floristic diversity in a relatively small area. Tree flora and fewer geophytes are present in the south coastal region, because of high precipitation and a constant climate.

Fynbos
“Fynbos”, an Afrikaans word used to describe herbs and fine-leaved shrubs, is the dominant species the scope of the CFR. SANParks Scientists have documented a range of more than 50 fynbos and forest species within the Garden Route National Park. By looking at a small expanse of fynbos, the collection and diversity of numerous species are striking. The national flower of South Africa, the King Protea, is part of this unique plant kingdom.

The protection of this native, botanically diverse vegetation is one of WWF’s key conservation priorities. Fynbos is threatened by invasive plants, rapid urbanisation and the use of land for agricultural purposes. To manage this, a number of projects were put in place to face this ongoing threat. With several species near extinction, certain parts of fynbos vegetation have been labelled a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Keurboom
Keurboomstrand, the starting point of the trail, is named after the abundance of Western Keurboom trees (Virgilia divaricata) in this area. The Keurboom is fast growing and reaches a full height of about 10m. It is an evergreen tree with horizontal branches. Smooth, silver-grey bark occurs on a young tree, darkening and roughening with the ageing of the tree. In spring, distinctive, violet-pink flowers are noticeable. Other indigenous trees in this area include Giant Stinkwoods, the Cape Beech and Outeniqua Yellowwoods.

Strandlopers
The ‘Strandloper’ people was a small group of indigenous hunter-gatherers, farmers and herders in the Southern Cape coastal region. According to Wilson (1990), this name was given to the Goringhaicona, a group of Khoisan people, who were present on the Table Bay shore during the seventeenth century. In the late nineteenth century, evidence of anthropology and botany in archaeological sites were referred to by the term ‘Strandloper’. Studies concluded that the race of the ‘Strandlopers’ is closest to that of the San people and not a separate race as previously claimed by anthropologists.

The Matjes River Rock Shelter overlooks the Matjies River, a wild river gorge on the trail, and is a known archaeological site of the ‘Strandlopers’. A sign, ‘To Cave’, on the western side of the river marks the track leading to the cave at the top of a hill. Boards at the opening of the cave describe the archaeological research that was done in this ‘Strandloper’ cave.

Arch Rock
A rock formation on the beach just after Keurboomstrand. Walk through the arch to reach the Matjies River.

Matjies River
The Matjies River estuary is crossed on the trail. The archaeological ‘Strandloper’ cave could be reached by following a track up the hill before reaching the wild river gorge.

Cathedral Rock
After the Matjies River, this natural wonder will be the next remarkable sighting. The name was derived with the strong resemblance of the crack accompanied by the small hole at its top to the outline of a cathedral.

Groot Bank
A boulder that stretches into the sea, marks this point. ‘Groot Bank’ is a well-known diving spot in the Plettenberg Bay area.

Salt River Mouth
Just west of Nature’s Valley, the gorge of the Salt River with a curved, secluded beach is found. It provides the perfect opportunity to swim, relax and have a picnic. This estuary is known for rich wild- and birdlife like the Cape Clawless Otter, Bushbuck, Fish Eagle and Kingfisher. Flora including ‘Fynbos’, such as Proteas, Candlewood and Keurboom, is also visible in the surrounding Tsitsikamma forest.