The Crags, Plettenberg Bay

Fifteen kilometres east of Plettenberg Bay, a winding drive through gorgeous countryside brings you to the wholesome rural community of The Crags. It’s named after the towering mountains that rise alongside, immense and ever-present, with the iconic Formosa Peak an anchoring reference point on the horizon.

Fynbos, indigenous forest, horse-grazed paddocks, and vineyards unfold among rolling hills, deep river gorges, and broad sweeps of farmland, creating a landscape so rich and varied that any nature lover would feel positively spoiled. Sections of this countryside border the Tsitsikamma Forest, its mighty yellowwoods whispering of ancient times as hiking trails thread towards hidden coves and secluded waterfalls. Numerous wildlife sanctuaries are dotted throughout the landscape, including Birds of Eden, Monkeyland, Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary, Tenikwa, Jukani, and the Elephant Sanctuary, making The Crags one of the Garden Route’s most enchanting pockets for wildlife tourism.

The natural splendour of The Crags may be what first catches the eye, but its true hidden gem is the community spirit. It has long attracted creatives, craftspeople, growers, wellness practitioners, equestrians, and community-minded thinkers who are drawn to a more connected way of life. Here, neighbours help neighbours, local markets and gatherings keep people crossing paths, and there is a genuine desire to see one another thrive, while yoga, wellness offerings, and even a forest gym add to the area’s outdoorsy, health-conscious rhythm.

Properties are generally rural, ranging from equestrian and working farms to lifestyle smallholdings and forested plots, with a small, long-established eco-village tucked into the Tsitsikamma Forest. Homesteading has found fertile ground here, with some buyers even purchasing farms with others to create micro-communities within the broader one.

Nature’s Way Farm Stall and the local Superette provide locally grown produce, essential groceries, and everyday basics right within The Crags, saving you from having to head all the way back into Plett whenever you need a top-up. A winding ten-minute drive down Grootrivier Pass brings you to the breathtaking beach and lagoon of Nature’s Valley, while a lovely collection of restaurants and vineyards lets you linger over good food and local wine amid the idyllic countryside.