Rheenendal combines places to eat with nearby nature attractions. When choosing what to do, it’s worth considering the different types of outings available: in addition to provisions and picnic spots, there are hikes with specified distances, a mountain biking loop and a steep descent to rock pools. Trail lengths, difficulty ratings and access requirements vary; plan according to the type of activity you’d like to focus on.
Food and Provisions
Portland Mini Market offers locally grown produce, homemade preserves, freshly baked goods and provisions for a picnic in the forest. Totties Farm Kitchen offers something different: breakfast, tea and lunch are served in a country garden setting. This gives you a choice between buying food for a picnic and having a meal served to you. Check the current offerings at both places in advance.
Hiking Nearby
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 an easy to moderate 3.1 km hike and the longer 9 km Woodcutters Trail.
At Jubilee Creek, an easy 3.6 km circular hike follows Millwood Creek to a waterfall and a rock pool where swimming is possible. The two shorter hikes, at 3.1 and 3.6 km, are similar in length: Jubilee Creek is described as easy, while Circles is rated easy to moderate. The rock pool offers another way to enjoy the outing; check current conditions before your visit.
Picnic Spots and History
The destinations also differ as picnic spots: Jubilee Creek has designated picnic areas on grassy banks beside a forest stream. Millwood Picnic Site is a meadow near the former mining settlement of Millwood. A brief gold rush took place there in the 1880s. This historical connection gives the picnic site a different context from the spots beside the forest stream.
Cycling and More Challenging Trails
The Homtini Mountain Bike Trail starts and ends at Krisjan-se-Nek and includes a challenging 4 km climb. The loop is 19 km long, making it considerably longer than the hikes mentioned above.
The descent to the rock pools of the Homtini River at Drupkelders is steep, 2 km long and requires agility and fitness. Permits are required for the hike; no more than twelve people may visit at a time. Check the current permit and group rules before your visit.
Model Railway at Totties Farm Kitchen
The restored model railway at Totties Farm Kitchen offers train rides on Sundays. Sunday operations by Knysna Model Trains are weather-dependent. Check before travelling whether the rides are running.
Discover more destinations: Uniondale, Boggoms Bay, Wilderness, Reebok, Herbertsdale, Plettenberg Bay, Wittedrif, Molen Drift
For the broader travel overview: Eden.
