Magnificent Hike to the George Cross

On a perfect hot summer morning, we discovered this magnificent hike to the George Cross. Weaving through forest and fynbos the George Cross hike is a shorter section of the George Peak hike. We approached the hike from the Garden Route Botanical Gardens, starting out in the forest section of the trail, and tracing our steps back the starting point. However, if you prefer a circular route, there are alternative paths you can take.

The hike from the Botanical Gardens is approximately 7.4km in total (the distance of 3.7km to the cross). As the trail continuously ascends, a moderate level of fitness is required. While there are a few flat sections along forest roads, be prepared for an uphill climb for the majority of the hike. We took around 4 hours to complete the trail, including time at the top for some sandwiches, and enjoying the company with our good friends.

The views over George are stunning, and we found the paths to be very well maintained. You will enjoy the forest, fynbos and some small streams along the way. As you ascend above the forest terrain, be aware that the trail offers limited shelter from the sun, so don’t forget to take a cap or hat along. You should always hike with water, even though the distance is not that far, it can get really hot up there in summer. Additionally, it’s wise to carry warmer protective gear when hiking mountains, as weather conditions can change unexpectedly.

Remember, tread lightly, respect the surroundings, take any litter out with you, and embrace the adventure that awaits your hike to the George Cross. Please consult with the relevant tourism and nature conservation authorities for more information.

Directions

• The cross can be found at these co-ordinates: -33.92527282718207, 22.455237081921734
• The height of the cross is 577m
• Time to hike: Roughly 4 hours in great weather and conditions
• Distance: 7.4km