Palmiet River Trail
EasyKogelberg
Main risk: heatAt a glance
Distance
10 km return
Time
3–4 hr
Elevation gain
80 m
Summit
60 m
Shoreline trail
Rogue waves sweep people off Cape rocks every year. Stay off wet, dark rock, keep well back from the water's edge, and never turn your back on the sea. Take extra care at spring tide and in big swell.
Know before you go
- Flat riverside walking to The Beach — a white-sand clearing made for a swim and a picnic.
- Swim only at the demarcated spots. The tannin-dark water hides rocks and depth changes.
- No permit needed for the river walk; the rest of Kogelberg's trails require one (R60 adult, cash only).
If you need help
Low-incident trail. The occasional callout involves swimmers caught by the current where the river narrows after winter rain, and heat exposure on the shadeless valley floor.
Emergency exit
Walk back down the valley the way you came — the path never strays far from the river.
Cell reception
Reasonable near Kleinmond, fades up the valley.
Start point
Kogelberg Nature Reserve boundary at Kleinmond — park at the Kleinmond golf course
Parking: Park at the Kleinmond golf course side. No card facilities in the reserve — carry cash.
Elevation profile
Peak
60 m
Total ascent
80 m
Trail length
10 km
Best time of year
Best in swimming weather. Fully open to sun and wind — hats and water.
Water sources
Treat or filter before drinking — never trust a stream raw.
Palmiet River
Year-round
Tannin-dark but clean. Treat before drinking.
Tell someone where you are going
Share your plan with a friend or family member before you set off.
Last reviewed July 2026
Report incorrect information