There are various trails, namely l. Ruitersbos Forest Walk, a 10,3 km/4 hour walk, 2. Protea Hill Walk, 5 km/2 hours and other shorter walks.
Permits for the Ruitersbos Forest Walk must be obtained from Ruitersbos Forest Station, or from the management of the Eight Bells Mountain Inn. There is a rough map printed on the permit. Permits for the Protea Hill Walk from the Inn only.
The Eight Bells Mountain Inn owns the land adjoining the forest and is a convenient place to stay while walking in the area; trees on the Ruitersbos Forest Walk are labelled with their national tree list numbers.
The path can be very muddy after rain, and after heavy rain the height of the Perdeberg River may make the most attractive stage of the walk impassable.
The Ruitersbos Forest Walk comprises two connected loops. The outward leg of the first loop which leads in natural forest along the course of the Perdeberg River is particularly beautiful. The return leg of this first loop goes through a pine plantation and can be avoided by returning via the Perdeberg River to the start. The second loop affords a glimpse of the fynbos on the mountain slopes behind; it returns along a small stream.
2. The walk up aptly named Protea Hill begins at Eight Bells Mountain Inn. From the summit there is a panoramic view of the coast and mountains of the southern Cape. Descend the same way or steeply via a pine forest where buck shelter. Various shorter walks explore the farmland surrounding the Inn.
