Author Archives: montrochellehiking

DuToitskop Trail

Duration: 5 hours Difficulty: Moderate Distance: +/- 13km THE in-and-out trail to DuToitskop Peak starts and ends at the main entry gate to the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. The trail rises about 660m to DuToitskop Peak (elevation 1 407m; 33-52-57 S; 19-09-00 E). A moderately fit person can hike to DuToitskop Peak in less thanContinue reading “DuToitskop Trail”

Aalwynkop Trail

Distance: 1km Elevation: trail drops about 100m Difficulty: easy walk Duration: <1 hour THE Aalwynkop Trail is less than 1km in length and starts and ends at the entry gate. The trail starts at the parking area in front of the entry gate, going more or less in an east-southeasterly direction, following, for part ofContinue reading “Aalwynkop Trail”

Winelands Trail

Distance: 1km (one way) Elevation: trail ascends 100m Difficulty: easy to moderate Duration: 40 minutes (one way) THE Winelands Trail connects Lower Cats’ Path with the Breakfast Rock Trail. It starts at the steps that lead to the R45 pass road on Lower Cats’ Path and provides a shorter, safer, alternative route to access theContinue reading “Winelands Trail”

Manganese Trail

Distance: 1,5km Elevation: trail descends 300m Difficulty: moderate Duration: <1 hour THE Manganese Trail (1,5km) connects the Uitkyk Trail to the DuToitskop Trail, forming a circular route of about 8,6km. It is named after the abandoned manganese ore (black) diggings that are found near its turn off. It can be walked in a clockwise orContinue reading “Manganese Trail”

Cats’ Path Trail

The Cats’ Path Trail follows the historic 1819 wagon track. It can be divided into two separate walks (Lower and Upper Cats’ Path) or combined into one longer hike: Combined Duration: +/- 4h (one way). Difficulty: Moderate Distance: +/- 11km (one way) LOWER CATS’ PATH THE Cats’ Path Trail starts in Franschhoek at the upperContinue reading “Cats’ Path Trail”

Vista Trail

Duration: <2 hoursDifficulty: ModerateDistance: +/-2.5km If walked in an anti-clockwise direction this trail has a steep downhill slope. THE Vista Trail starts and ends at the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve’s main gate. This circular trail includes the Breakfast Rock Trail and a short section of the DuToitskop Trail. Most hikers walk the Vista Trail inContinue reading “Vista Trail”

Perdekop Trail

Duration: 5 hours Difficulty: Moderate Distance: +/- 13km We advise you not to hike this route alone or in adverse weather. THE circular Perdekop Trail rises 850m from its starting point to peak halfway at Perdekop, 1 575m. Perdekop is the highest point in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. This route description assumes a clockwiseContinue reading “Perdekop Trail”

Uitkyk Trail

Duration: 2-3 hours Difficulty: Moderate Distance: +/- 6km THE first section of this well-marked and popular linear trail includes the Breakfast Rock Trail. A fit hiker can complete the round trip in about 3 hours. Unprepared hikers should not divert to the Perdekop Trail. The trail is fairly straight and also only rises about 360Continue reading “Uitkyk Trail”

Breakfast Rock Trail

Duration: 45min Difficulty: Easy Distance: +/- 2km THE Breakfast Rock Trail, which starts and ends at the main entry gate to the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, is also the start to the Vista, Du Toitskop, Uitkyk and Perdekop trails. Breakfast Rock (897m; 33-54-51 S.; 19-09-35 E.) is +/- 1km from the main entry gate. TheContinue reading “Breakfast Rock Trail”