King Edward VII Tree — Diepwalle Forest Big Tree on the Elephant Walk

Deep in the Knysna Forest near Diepwalle Forest Station stands the King Edward VII Tree, a giant Outeniqua yellowwood that’s been here for several centuries. It sits on the Elephant Walk, the old forester’s trail through the indigenous canopy. Dark trunks, moss, bird calls and filtered light. It’s a quiet stop, and the drive in is half the point. Most of it is gravel through plantation and indigenous forest, easy for any vehicle when dry.

Reach it by heading north out of Knysna on the Prince Alfred’s Pass road (R339) and following the signed gravel forest road to Diepwalle. The forest here is managed under SANParks’ Garden Route National Park, so check current access, walk status and any permit or fee at the Knysna office before you commit. Rain turns the forest roads slick and the clay gets greasy. Cell signal comes and goes under the trees. This is a good half-day detour, not a camp. Verify ahead, because conditions and rules change.

Have a dirty day.

Ancient yellowwood giant deep in Knysna Forest