Rheenendal: Experience nature and regional cuisine

Rheenendal offers a range of ways to enjoy a trip: Portland Mini Market and Totties Farm Kitchen shape the options for food and meals, while nearby places and trails add history, hiking and cycling. The right mix for you depends on whether you are mainly looking for regional produce, a shorter hike or a longer, more challenging route.

Regional produce and country cooking

At Portland Mini Market, you will find locally grown produce, homemade preserves, freshly baked goods and provisions for a picnic in the forest. The selection ranges from food for the road to products for your own table. If a picnic is part of your plans, the provisions specifically offered for this purpose are a natural place to start.

Totties Farm Kitchen serves breakfast, tea and lunch in a country garden setting. This is another way to include food in your trip: instead of bringing provisions, you can plan a meal there. Check in advance for the latest details about what is available at the market and the farm kitchen.

Millwood: picnic spot with a connection to history

Near Rheenendal, the Millwood picnic spot is set in a meadow close to the former mining settlement of Millwood. Its history dates back to the 1880s, when a brief gold rush took place there. At this spot, a picnic area and the history of the former settlement come together. If you would like to combine an outing with a connection to history, this offers a specific place to visit; the gold rush itself is a thing of the past.

Hikes in the Knysna Forest and at Jubilee Creek

The Circles in the Forest Trail starts at Krisjan-se-Nek and passes ferns in the Knysna Forest, as well as old yellowwood, stinkwood and white pear trees. You can choose between a 3.1-kilometre route graded easy to moderate and the longer 9-kilometre Woodcutters Trail. The main differences are the route length and the stated difficulty: the shorter option is graded easy to moderate, while the longer route covers considerably more ground.

At Jubilee Creek, an easy 3.6-kilometre circular walk follows Millwood Creek to a waterfall and a rock pool where you can swim. Designated picnic spots are set on grassy banks beside a forest river. This outing combines a short hike with a swimming spot and picnic areas. Check the latest conditions for the hike and swimming before your visit.

Cycling and more challenging trails

The Homtini Mountain Bike Trail is a 19-kilometre circular route that starts and ends at Krisjan-se-Nek. The trail includes a challenging 4-kilometre climb. Its length, circular route and climb give you specific details to help distinguish this mountain biking trail from the hikes described above.

The descent to the rock pools of the Homtini River at Drupkelders is steep and 2 kilometres long; it requires agility and fitness. Permits are required for the hike, and no more than 12 people may take part at a time. Bear these conditions in mind when planning ahead, and confirm the current arrangements.

Sunday train rides at Totties Farm Kitchen

The restored model railway at Totties Farm Kitchen offers train rides on Sundays, weather permitting. Check before you travel whether it is operating. This lets you include the possible activity in your plans without overlooking the weather condition.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Calitzdorp, Tergniet, Ladismith, Jongensfontein, Sedgefield, Wittedrif, Brenton-On-Sea, Mossel Bay

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