The Hermanus MTB Trail is the favoured option for mountain bikers in the area, starting at the Hemel en Aarde Village and giving riders four options of varying difficulty to choose from. These routes take riders deep into the Valley where the beautiful views and pristine atmosphere are only a small part of the enjoyment.

Interested riders need to purchase a permit from Euodia Cycles or Wine Village Hermanus to be able to ride the trails. The proceeds from this permit help to keep the trails maintained.

THE ROUTES
The Green Route: This easy route is ideal for both beginners and families and is a perfect introduction to single track mountain biking trails. The trail is 6 km (3.7 miles) in length with a total of 130m in ascent, making it a relatively flat ride. The route usually takes around 30 – 60 minutes to complete.

The Blue Route: This route is an easy to moderate track that’s ideal for novice to intermediate riders. The 13km (8 miles) route is all off-road with a lot of fast flowing single track, giving riders a fast-paced experience along a beautiful route. The trail usually takes around 1 – 2 hours to complete and has a total ascent of 240 meters.

The Red Route: This track is a slightly more difficult route and is perfect for intermediate to experienced riders. This 28km (17 miles) route is mainly fast flowing single track that crosses over rivers and jeep tracks and has a total ascent of 700 meters. This circular route takes between 2 – 3 hours to complete.

The Black Route: This the most difficult of the four routes and is aimed at experienced riders. This track has a lot of fast flowing single track that crosses over rivers and jeep tracks and has several steep ascents totalling 1000 meters along the 33km (22.5 miles) track, which can be completed within 2.5 – 4 hours.

There is also an open 17 km (10.5 miles) circular trail that takes riders through the picturesque Fernkloof Nature Reserve. This intermediate trail is mainly jeep tracks but also incorporates single track areas, making this stunning trail that much more attractive. There are also plenty of viewpoints to stop at, as well as the Three Dams to cool off in (but a bit of a hike is required to get to the top).

Hermanus has been recognized by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) as one of the 12 best whale watching destinations in the world. The best time to enjoy whale watching in Hermanus is between July and November either from land, by boat or from the air via a scenic flight. The whale viewing during the months of July and August vary from year to year with regards to how many whales are present in Walker Bay and along the coast; however you are almost guaranteed of seeing whales in September, October and November. For those with a more adventurous spirit, a guided sea kayaking trip promises to get the adrenaline going and offers a unique opportunity to watch whales and explore the magnificent coastline. For whale-watching tours, please follow this link.

Hermanus, particularly Walker Bay, is the mating and breeding grounds of the Southern Right Whale during the winter and spring months (from June to November). Southern Right Whales migrate from the Antarctic around June to calve and mate. Calving takes place in August and September and the males arrive for mating in October when the whale population peaks.

• The Cliff Path offers 12km of the best whale watching view points in the world, stretching from one end of Hermanus to the other. At certain points whales can be seen playing as close as five meters from shore.
• Drive south on Westcliff Road and park at Fick’s Pool. Take the cliff path towards the New Harbour for about 100 metres and arrive at Dreunkrans – a popular whale watching site
• Park at Fick’s Pool or in Marine Drive and make your way to Windsor Bay
• Gearing’s Point overlooking the Old Harbour, gives an uninterrupted view of the ocean.
• At the Old Harbour,viewing terraces are available with spectacular views over Walker Bay. Information boards provide basic information about the whales.
• Drive down Main Road towards the beaches (north-east) and take the turn-off to Die Gang at Berg-en-See to arrive at De Gang.
• One of the most popular locations in Hermanus for whale watching is Siever's Point, which is closest to where the whales frolic.
• The Kwaaiwater lookout point is accessible by vehicle.
• The Voëlklip and Grotto beaches are perfect for whale spotting and watching, especially on the rocks above the sea.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE WHALE WATCHING GUIDE

Thanks to the coastal and mountainous location, Hermanus offers a number of different walk/hike experiences for the novice and the expert hiker.

The Fernkloof Nature Reserve offers hikers the opportunity to learn as they walk, with a cornucopia of endemic plant and wildlife being spotted along every trail. The paths also offer their own unique experiences, with each one leading into a different part of the reserve, including the Three Dams, the waterfall and also to the highest outlook point (596 meters above sea level) at Galpin Hut (which can be booked for an overnight stay).

The Cliff Path is a perfect option for a scenic stroll along the coastline, with the path hugging the cliffs for over 10km. The Path itself takes walks from the New Harbour all the way to the other end of Hermanus, near the mouth of the Kleinrivier Lagoon. Along this path are a number of beautiful plants, as well as a couple of animals, for everyone to enjoy.

The Fynbos Trail is a more unique nature experience in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom. This trail offers the visitor the choice between a fully guided and catered slack-packing trail or a self-guided and –catered trail. The trail itself has a two or three day option and takes hikers along a beautiful stretch of trail through coastal and mountain Fynbos, remote forests and visits some fascinating environmental and social projects along the way. This is an ideal trail for nature and hike-lovers alike, giving visitors the chance to escape city life for an oasis in the heart of the Overberg