The Woodville Forest Trail

For those seeking a longer and more immersive forest adventure, the Woodville Forest Trail offers a 7 km journey through the heart of the Garden Route National Park. Starting at the majestic Big Tree, the trail winds through dense indigenous forest alive with birdsong and vibrant fungi. Midway, the path opens into a sunlit Cyprus and fern forest before ascending a jeep track to a ridge with panoramic views of Hoekwil’s farmlands and the Indian Ocean beyond.

Picnic benches along the way invite you to pause and soak in the scenery. The trail then descends back into the forest, completing a varied loop that takes around 2.5 to 3 hours at a leisurely pace. Follow the blue footprint signs and enjoy a hike rated as easy to moderate, with one steep section that rewards you with breathtaking views.

Picnic spot
Child friendly

Bird Watching Highlights

The Woodville Big Tree forest area, which is part of the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park, is known for a variety of forest and edge bird species, including the Knysna Turaco and Cape Parrot.

Species Common Name	Scientific Name	Status in Woodville Area
Knysna Warbler	Bradypterus sylvaticus	Key species, found in streamside undergrowth and scrubby forest edge habitats.
Narina Trogon	Apaloderma narina	Key species.
Chorister Robin-Chat	Cossypha dichroa	Key species.
White-starred Robin	Pogonocichla stellata	Key species.
Yellow-Throated Woodland Warbler	Phylloscopus ruficapilla	Found here.
Grey Cuckooshrike	Ceblepyris caesius	Found here.
Knysna Woodpecker	Campethera notata	Key species, albeit scarce.
Forest Canary	Crithagra scotops	Found here, often at secondary growth/forest edges.
African Cuckoo Hawk	Aviceda cuculoides	Found here, especially early in the morning.
Lemon Dove (or Cinnamon Dove)	Columba larvata	Can often be seen when flushed off the pathway.
Buff-Spotted Flufftail	Sarothrura elegans	Can be heard hooting in the undergrowth.
Cape Batis	Batis capensis	Key species, common in the mid-canopy.
Knysna Warbler	Bradypterus sylvaticus	Key species.
Cape Siskin	Crithagra totta	Key species, found in fynbos areas (nearby).
Orange-Breasted Sunbird	Anthobaphes violacea	Key species, found in fynbos areas (nearby).
Victorin’s Warbler	Cryptillas victorini	Key species, found in fynbos areas (nearby).
Scaly-throated Honeyguide	Indicator variegatus	Found here.
Olive Woodpecker	Dendropicos griseocephalus	Found here.

Sources:
Alex Aitkenhead: Garden Route National Park (Wildernes, Knysna, Tsitsikamma) – alexaitkenhead.co.za
Visit Knysna: Birding in the Greater Knysna area – www.visitknysna.co.za
SANParks Media Release: Big trees in the Garden Route – News – SANParks – www.sanparks.org

How to get to the Woodville Big Tree Hiking Trail?

Travelling from George towards the east (Knysna/Port Elizabeth direction) on the N2 highway:

Head East on the N2: Drive past the town of Wilderness.
Take the Hoekwil Turn-off: Look for the turn-off marked Hoekwil (it is the first turn-off after the Wilderness section of the N2, on the Knysna side).
Follow Hoekwil Road: Keep on Hoekwil road all the way to the top of the mountain. Past Touwsranten, the road will join the Seven Passes Road. Keep travelling east.
Follow signs for Woodville Big Tree: Continue on this (now Seven Passes-) road for approximately 3.2 km to the Woodville turn-off.
Turn left to the Picnic Site: Look for the sign on your left directing you to the Woodville Big Tree and the picnic area.
Parking: the last 600m to the parking area is a gravel road.

The Woodville Big Tree site is generally open from 08:00 to 16:00 (Gates close at 16:00). You will need to obtain a permit and pay a small SANParks conservation fee at the entrance.

Start Coordinates: (DD)	-33.935124 ; 22.645208
Start/Finish	SANParks Garden Route National Park – Woodville Big Tree
Distance	± 7.1 km
Elevation Gain	± 238 m
Perceived Exertion	Easy
Trail System	Seven Passes
Surface	Forest hiking trail
Route Markers	Yes
GPX Map	Download GPX file for self-navigation on your GPS device or smartphone.