Harkerville, Garden Route
The beauty of the Garden Route is undeniable, but it is always even more delightful when combined with the serenity and calm of a little seaside suburb like Harkerville. This is a farm area that is situated between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna, which are both bustling tourist hubs along the Garden Route. This places it in the prime position to give its visitors convenient access to both, while still enjoying the peace and quiet of the South African coastline.
Harkerville boasts a gorgeous rural ambience, thanks to the farms and the beautiful indigenous forests that are all around. In addition, there are lovely streams running through the forests, which also go a long way in attracting many bird species, as well as insects and small mammals. This means that even permanent residents are able to enjoy the untainted luxury of the outdoors, on their very own doorstep.
The Harkerville area is particularly well known amongst mountain bikers that are looking for fun and adventurous routes to enjoy throughout the year. There are a number of routes that range in distance and difficulty. The Blue Route is the shortest, at 12 km long, and takes around 90 minutes to complete. The Yellow Route and the Green Route are 14 km and 15 km respectively, and promise stunning views. The Red Route is the longest, at 24 km, and is challenging, with some hairy sections on the edge of the cliff. There are also hiking and walking trails here for those that have not brought their bicycles along.
While visiting or staying in Harkerville, tourists are able to visit a number of the local attractions as they are all situated within a short drive. These include Birds of Eden, Monkeyland, Jukani, Adventure Land, the Knysna Elephant Park, Radical Raptors, and the Featherbed Reserve.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Tsala Treetop Lodge
Tsala Treetop Lodge offers luxury accommodation tucked into the forest canopy. There are ten luxury hide-away suites and six luxury villas. Exten...
Blackwood Rest
Blackwood Rest is your retreat from fast paced city life, tucked away amongst the forests of the Garden Route. Located in Fisanthoek, it is surro...
Hunter's Country House
Hunter's Country House is perfectly positioned to take full advantage of all that the Garden Route has to offer. Plettenberg Baywith its glorious...
Masescha Sunbird Cottage
Masescha Sunbird Cottage is only 10 minutes drive from Plettenberg Bay and 15 minutes drive from Knysna. Masescha Sunbird Cottage a light, bright...
Coral Tree Cottages
Coral Tree Cottages offers you a home away from home to explore the delights of the Garden Route. Majestic pines tower above the splendor of thes...
Masescha Birdsong House
Masescha Birdsong House is an old traditional farmhouse which has some low beams. There are three bedrooms on the ground floor. A short steep sta...
Plett Forest Cabins
Plett Forest Cabins are tucked away in the Harkerville Forest and offer comfortable and affordable accommodation in rustic, fully equipped self-c...
Adventurer's Escape Forest Chalets
Nestled within the serene Harkerville forest, The Adventurer's Escape Forest Chalets offer an exclusive retreat for those seeking a romantic esca...
Masescha Country Estate
The essence of Masescha Country Estate is to experience a slower pace of life. Our majestic forest backdrop frames an atmosphere of calm, relaxat...
Things to do in the area
The Harkerville Hike
The two day Harkerville hike starts gently; following paths through the forest that criss cross over horse and bike trails. However, the hard wor...
Harkerville Saturday Market
On the N2, between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, the Harkerville Market has been going for 10 years now and is a market with a difference; not a fl...
Harkerville Forest Flora Trail
Discover the beauty of the Garden Route and its lush forested countryside on the Harkerville Forest Flora Trail. This is an easy trail of one kil...
Harkerville MTB Trails
The Harkerville MTB trail near Knysna is 24 km of 72 per cent single track trail though forest, coastal path and plantation; an incredible ride. ...
Tsitsikamma Wolf Sanctuary
Tsitsikamma Wolf Sanctuary offers a fun-filled outing for the whole family at affordable prices. The diverse collection of wildlife and farmyard ...
Garden of Eden Forest Walk
Start: Harkerville Forest, between Knysna and Plettenberg BayFinish: Harkerville ForestDuration: 1 km, ideal for the elderly or as a pit stop on ...
Homtini MTB Trail
Where: Krisjan-se-Nek picnic site, Rheenendal, KnysnaLevel: intermediate to difficultType of route: 19 km circular route along jeep track, loggin...
Petrus-se-Brand MTB Trail
Where: Diepwalle Forest, KnysnaLevel: easy to intermediateType of route: 22.4 km (can do a 48 km return) from Diepwalle office to Garden of Eden ...
Perdekop Hiking Trail
Start: Harkerville Forest StationFinish: Harkerville Forest StationDuration: 9.5 km, roughly 4 hours, a circular routeFitness: you need to be abl...
Noteworthy attractions
The Links at Fancourt
Gary Player, who has been a part of the design team since the original courses at Fancourt, came on board to add the Links in 2000 and has gone o...
Montagu Golf Course at Fancourt
The course is typical parklands and one of three Gary Player designed courses offered at Fancourt. Montagu is highly acclaimed and has in recent ...
Outeniqua Golf Course at Fancourt
Named after the Mountain that overlooks this magnificent Garden Route golfing gem, the Outeniqua Course at Fancourt is one that barely needs intr...
George Golf Club
Nestled in the foothills of the magnificent Outeniqua mountains, George Golf Club is among the oldest courses in the country. George country club...
Goose Valley Golf Club
Originally a 9 hole course set at the heart of a real estate development, The Gary Player Design Company has created an 18 hole layout of note on...
Knysna Golf Club
The Knysna Golf course is probably the only golf course in South Africa which can boast holes that are below sea level. The Knysna Golf Club is s...
Mossel Bay Golf Club
The 18-hole links course has recently been remodeled and upgraded and is getting rave reviews. The golf club is situated above a peninsula that j...
Oubaai Golf Club
Situated only 8 kilometres from George, in the design of the Oubaai 18-hole Championship Golf Course and Driving Range, Ernie Els and his team ha...
Pezula Golf Course
Situated in the very heart of the Garden Route, on sweeping coastal cliffs, east of the charming town of Knysna, Pezula encompasses a world-class...
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