By Vicky · Published Sep. 19th, 2022 · Updated Nov. 24th, 2022
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The Harold Porter Botanic Gardens are a lovely place for a stroll, with easy trails, beautiful views and many flowers.
Location
The Harold Porter Botanic Gardens Trail starts from the car park at the Botanic Gardens.
Map of Harold Porter Hiking Trail
Get the route by downloading the .gpx or .kml file below. For navigation with Maps.me on your mobile phone, simply download the .kml file and open to add it to the Maps.me bookmarks.
Tips for Harold Porter Botanic Gardens Trail
- The Gardens are open at 8 am every day of the year. You can’t enter after 4:30pm/5pm on weekdays/weekends, but you can stay in the Gardens until 6pm/7pm in winter (Apr-Oct)/summer(Nov-Mar).
- Entry is R40 for adults, less for concessions.
- For more short hikes nearby, check out the Hangklip Lighthouse Trail or visit Stony Point Penguin Colony.
- For more things to do nearby, check out our guide to Kogelberg and Cape Hangklip.
- For more hikes in South Africa, see our South Africa Hiking Guide.
From the car park head into the gardens, and left to walk between the Red Disa Restaurant and the lily pond. Wind your way up through the Forest Ecosystem and into the Desert Ecosystem.
Continue onwards and upwards towards the mountains. At the end of the formal garden section, turn left along the start of the Disa Kloof Waterfall Trail. Walk into the shaded wood section of the gardens, next to the stream.
Into the wild section of the gardens
Turn right at the bridge by a dam over the stream and cross to the other side. The path heads right on the other side. At the next junction turn left up the hill. From here you get a good view over the Botanic Gardens.
At the next junction head straight on and gently downwards in the direction of the mountains. Soon you’ll reach the stream at the bottom of a lovely valley. In the distance, you can see Leopard’s Kloof Waterfall.
Turn right, heading back towards the entrance of the gardens. There are quite a few path options, and it doesn’t really matter which one you take. All routes are quite lovely and if you continue heading away from the mountains, you’ll eventually be back near the entrance.
Either return directly back to your car, or stop off for a drink or bite to eat at the Red Disa Restaurant. It’s a great spot with lovely views over the Harold Porter Botanic Gardens.
For more short hikes nearby, check out the Hangklip Lighthouse Trail or visit Stony Point Penguin Colony. For more things to do nearby, check out our guide to Kogelberg and Cape Hangklip or for many more hikes in South Africa, see our South Africa Hiking Guide.
FAQS: Harold Porter Botanic Gardens
No dogs are allowed in the gardens since many wild animals live within the grounds.
The Leopard’s Kloof Trail heads straight from the entrance to the Botanic Gardens to Leopard’s Kloof Waterfall, and the trail is about 2.8 km long. It takes about 45-60 minutes to complete the trail.
It’s a great idea to have a picnic at Harold Porter Botanic Gardens. You can spread out your own food and sit in the shade of a tree. Alternatively, you can eat at the restaurant near the entrance.
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