You’ve heard of a Bucket List, you may even have heard of a BikeIt List, so here’s what should be on the top of your HikeIt List – The Plett Trail.

For nature-lovers and hikers, who enjoy a few slices of luxury along the way, Plett’s new slackpacking route, The Plett Trail is just the thing for you. The idea behind The Plett Trail is simple, ecological and perfectly varied: instead of spending days driving around Plettenberg Bay from one activity and attraction to the next, Plett Tourism has created a way for tourists to have an authentic experience of Plett’s natural beauty by hiking or horseback riding unique trails connecting wine farm to Fynbos, coastal trail to indigenous forest and nature reserve to luxury accommodation.

So what is slackpacking? Slackpacking, as opposed to traditional hiking, is a popular term enabling more people to enjoy the beauty of hiking, without carting all of their luggage from place to place; a luxury version of the popular activity. And the Plett Trail is packed full of luxury: slackpackers will stay at beautiful four- and five-star guest houses and lodges along the trail, visit wine farms and enjoy guided tours throughout their excusion.

Operated by Venture Beyond, The Plett Trail has been designed to immerse hikers in the incredible beauty of the area, while exploring activities, leisure, birding, wine farms and more.

The full trail is a ten day excursion, but shorter hikes are available for booking. Highlights of The Plett Trail include:

  • Horse Trails
  • Birding in Plett and on the Bitou Wetland
  • Coastal walks and marine ecology
  • Peninsula palaeontology
  • Diepwalle forest walk and forest ecology
  • Griqua community of Plett
  • Covie community trail
  • Daily picnic lunches while hiking
  • Four- and five-star accommodation
  • Traditional fare and lodge dinners every night

A sample day on The Plett Trail


Highlights: Hike Robberg Peninsula and picnic lunch

Visit: Nelson Bay Cave

Learn: Birds of Plett

Taste: Wine Tasting at Plettenvale Wines

Rest: Fynbos Ridge (dinner and breakfast)

A quick guide to The Plett Trail