The two main remaining forest areas are Goudveld and Diepwalle. The Goudveld Forest includes some commercial plantation areas making Diepwalle the better option for nature purists. However, both feature beautiful indigenous forest. They are also rich in birdlife and hold many jewels for birders, including the Knysna Loerie and Narina Trogon.

Diepwalle State Forest
Diepwalle (Afrikaans for "deep walls") is located ±20km north-east of Knysna in the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains. The forest is known for its density of huge trees, the Yellowwood being the most impressive of all. Other special trees found in abundance are ironwood, stinkwood and white pear.

elephants & other animals
While rumours persist that in this forest a few of Knysna's legendary forest elephants have survived 18th century hunting by early European arrivals, this is probably not true - even though there have been some alleged sightings. What you will find in the forest are vervet monkeys, baboons and small antelope species such as bushbuck and blue duiker.

exploring the forest
The forest is best explored on foot or mountain bike following laid out routes. However the drive to and from the forest station, on gravel roads, is also worthwhile on its own as it cuts through beautiful lush forests. One or two picnic sites in the forest is also accessible by car. There are three main (day) hiking routes at Diepwalle. Basic maps and a permits (small fee) are obtainable from the Diepwalle Forest Station. The signposted routes start at the forest station. They cover between 7km and 9km and require basic fitness. Should you have time available in your itinerary we strongly recommend exploring these routes.

Less known is the option to walk from Diepwalle to the Garden of Eden in the Harkerville Forest area between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. This route is also open to mountain biking (Petrus-se-Brand Mountain Bike Trail) and links very nicely with the excellent mountain bike tracks at Harkerville.

"Big Tree"
Diepwalle also features a "Big Tree". As with the other "Big Tree" in Tsitsikamma this is a huge Yellowwood. It towers nearly 40m high, is estimated to be 650 years old and has a canopy spreading more than 30m wide.

If your only purpose for driving out to Diepwalle is to see a big tree, then rather visit the much more accessible Big Tree (Tsitsikamma) near the Paul Sauer Bridge, which is just of the N2. However, if you want to spend time in the forest exploring and perhaps take a dip in a forest stream then Diepwalle's Big Tree is indeed the place to go.

Goudveld State Forest
Goudveld (Afrikaans for "Gold Field") State Forest is located 30km north-east of Knysna.

history
The Forest got its name from a gold rush sparked by a gold discovery in 1876. By 1886 six hundred small-scale diggers were digging up some of the hillsides and panning Jubilee Creek for alluvial gold. A small mining town, called Millwood, came to being as a result. It featured six hotels, three newspapers and a music hall. Thankfully -for the sake of the forest- the diggings did not survive very long and was soon deserted, by 1890, for the much more rewarding finds in the region of present day Johannesburg, where gold was first discovered in 1886.

exploring Millwood & the forest
As most of the dwellings in Millwood was hastily put together from temporary materials most of it disappeared as the diggers gave up on the town - or very soon thereafter. Visiting the area today you are mostly greeted by a few empty signposted streets. A small museum, housed in the only building left from the gold rush, and tea garden awaits visitors and are both worth a visit.

A footpath leads to the nearby Creek where overgrown prospecting pits, shallow tunnels and a deserted co-co pan track bears testimony to the few years of frantic gold digging. It also provides a glimpse on a section of Goudveld's lush indigenous forests. Picnic sites featuring river pools for swimming await you elsewhere in the Forest.

Outeniqua Hiking Trail
The Outeniqua Hiking Trail that starts in the Outeniqua Mountains near George eventually ends at Diepwalle Forest Station near Knysna. The full route is spread over nine days and incorporates both the Goudveld and Diepwalle Forests. Basic overnight huts are provided. While spectacular, the route is quite strenuous and requires above-average fitness and good preparation. It is possible to book and hike only a selected portion of the trial.