Has the running bug bit you yet? For those living on the Garden Route, it’s almost an inevitability. Any excuse to get out into these beautiful natural spaces, right?
Every July, the Knysna Forest Marathon brings thousands of runners to town for one big weekend. The event itself is well-supported, fun and has launched many a love affair with running, but since when do we have to wait for an organised event to enjoy the beauty of the forest or of our region’s many trails?
Within a 40-minute driving radius of our hotel’s front door you will find forest single track, lagoon-edge loops and a beach you can run on at low tide. This is our practical guide to the best Knysna trails, with distances, drive times and the details that make slotting it into your holiday as easy as a Sunday morning stroll.
So, whether you’re a visitor to our hotel or a Knysna local, why not lace up and try these trails on for size?
On Your Doorstep: Thesen Islands & the Lagoon Edge
You don’t need a car for this one. Step out of our hotel and you are on Thesen Islands, a network of flat, quiet lanes and canal-side walkways with almost no traffic. A full loop of the 19 interconnected islands gives you a comfortable 4 to 5km, and you can extend it by crossing the causeway towards the Knysna Waterfront for a 7 to 8km out-and-back along the lagoon. It is flat, safe and scenic, which makes it ideal for beginners, an easy recovery day or a first-morning shakeout before you tackle the forest.
Into the Forest: Diepwalle’s Elephant Trails
This is the one to plan your trip around. The Diepwalle Forestry Station sits about 20km north of Knysna on the R339 (allow 30 to 40 minutes; the last stretch is gravel). From the station, three circular, colour-coded routes head into the indigenous forest: the Red Route at 7km, the White Route at 8km and the Black Route at 9km.
Most people hike these routes, but trail runners consider them wonderful for running, too. All three are Green Flag accredited and marked, and all three run beneath giant Outeniqua yellowwoods on soft forest floor.
Two practical notes: a SANParks conservation fee is payable at the gate, and after winter rain the roots and stream crossings get slippery, so shorten your stride and give yourself extra time.
Story Country: Circles in the Forest
If you know Dalene Matthee’s novels, this run is a pilgrimage. The route starts at the Krisjan-se-Nek picnic site off the Rheenendal road, right beside the Dalene Matthee Big Tree, and follows old mining paths along Forest Creek. You can choose a 3km loop or the full 9km, and both are easy to moderate underfoot. Go early on a weekday and you may well have the forest to yourself.
The Coastal Option
For ocean views, drive 20 minutes to Brenton-on-Sea. Fisherman’s Walk starts from Steenbras Street, skirts the clifftop briefly and then drops to the shoreline, where the route follows a rocky, dramatic stretch of coast. We would recommend you do this as a warm up to get your bearings, as it’s only about 2km and not suited to running.
Instead, stronger runners should look at the beach itself: at low tide, the 5km arc of firm sand between Brenton-on-Sea and Buffalo Bay is one of the best beach runs on the Garden Route. Check the tide tables before you go; at high tide you will be slogging through soft sand against the dunes.
Runner’s Notes for Winter
- July mornings are cold and sunset lands around 5.30 pm, so the best running window is mid-morning to mid-afternoon.
- Forest routes get muddy after rain; trail shoes are a must. Watch those ankles!
- Carry water and a phone, and be aware that cell signal is patchy deep in the forest.
- SANParks fees apply at all forest entry points; check current gate rates before you drive out.
- A little planning goes a long way, and winter is when the Knysna trails are at their emptiest. Make sure to research your route and tell reception where you’ll be going – an extra precaution.
- We also recommend running in pairs in case of injury.
The Recovery Plan
Back at The Turbine Hotel & Spa, we’ve got your running recovery sorted. Book a massage at the Turbine Spa, stretch out beside the horizon pool, or claim a spot on the Gastro Pub’s deck for sundowners over the Knysna Lagoon.
We offer a variety of beautiful rooms looking out over the canals of Thesen Island, with 5-star amenities and our hotel’s boutique luxury at your fingertips.
Browse our accommodation options here and get in touch with our team at book@turbinehotel.co.za to book your stay. Alternatively, use our seamless online booking platform to secure dates on our website.
We look forward to welcoming you to Thesen Island!
