Unique to the South Coast, the Amazing Trail at Clearwater Trail Centre is all about inspiring young children to develop and appreciation for our precious earth and all its natural inhabitants.
Our local habitats consist of grasslands, montane forest, wetlands and gorge Krantz. Over 250 bird species and a wide variety of animals have been sited within a 5-10km radius of Clearwater.
The Amazing Trail highlights between 50 to 100 of these birds and animals that have been seen at one time of another in this area as life-size cutouts, beautifully painted and placed in position. A number on each animal will
assist with identifying them which correlates to a checklist handed out with the trail permit.
The fun begins when a family walking along the trail may be surprised on turning a corner to spot a bushbuck under a tree, a ground hornbill in the grassland or a large spotted genet in a tree. Flashes of color above their heads will draw their attention to a Knysna Loerie or a Narina Trogan perched on a branch.
How to Start the Trail: Trail Permit and check lists are sold at the Clearwater Trail Centre’s Taverna/Trail Office. From there the trail is situated 20m from the Centre to the right, between the trails entrance gate and the gorge view deck.
The trail is an approx. 800m circular footpath that winds its way through forest and rocky grassland. The trail is a one way continuous loop with the entrance and exit at the same point. “Charlie Chameleon”, the trail mascot, will be placed along the trail to assist with directional information.
The trail is surrounded by 1 – 2 metres of vegetation and the whole area wherein the trail lies is flanked by the neighbouring Umtamvuna Nature Reserve on one side and the access road to the Gorge View Deck on the other.
The terrain is fairly flat and the pathway although a singletrack it is wide enough for groups to pass each other. The trail may take a family ½ hr up to an 1 ½ hour to discover and enjoy the sights. A visit to the gorge view deck, 100m on from the Amazing Trail is included on the permit
The fun begins when a family walking along the trail may be surprised on turning a corner to spot a bushbuck under a tree, a ground hornbill in the grassland or a large spotted genet in a tree. Flashes of color above their heads will draw their attention to a Knysna Loerie or a Narina Trogan perched on a branch.
