PLEASE note that the Franschhoek Pass is closed due to ongoing roadworks. The reserve remains open when coming from Franschhoek (no access via Villiersdorp), but cars will need special permits to access to the pass. These permits will be issued by Franschhoek Info upon the purchase of a hiking permit. Hikers who have purchased theirContinue reading “Franschhoek Pass closed – special access for hikers”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Temporary closure of Winelands and Cats’ Path trails
BOTH the Winelands Trail, starting below Haute Cabriere, and Cats’ Path Trail will be closed until further notice due to continued roadworks on the Franschhoek Pass/R45. We have received a formal request from the company working on the R45 to close the lower hiking trail from Franschhoek up the mountain towards the hairpin at theContinue reading “Temporary closure of Winelands and Cats’ Path trails”
Reserve & pass open
The Franschhoek Pass has fully reopened to traffic (18 March 2026), meaning the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve is now accessible to all hikers. Permits are again available through Webtickets or at the entrance to the reserve. We are open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset.
Trail update: Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve reopens
WE ARE pleased to share a positive update following the recent fires in the Franschhoek area. Restoration work on the damaged footbridges has now been successfully completed, thanks to the hard work of the Helderberg Maintenance team. As a result, the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve is open again, and all trails are accessible to hikers.Continue reading “Trail update: Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve reopens”
We are open
The reserve has be reopened following a day-long closure at the request of Fire Services. The reserve was not affected by fires in the area and is no longer facing potential fire risk. Hikers are free to enter any time from sunrise to sunset (9/1/2026).
Franschhoek Pass Reopened
WE ARE glad to announce that the Franschhoek Pass has been reopened. Starting Wednesday, 28 February 2024, the reserve is open to hikers seven days a week. That means all routes are open from sunrise to sunset, every day of the week. Happy hiking!
Proposed Franschhoek Skytram
WITH regard to the Franschhoek Skytram development proposal the Advisory Board of the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve wishes to put the following on record:
We are open!
RESTORATION work has been completed successfully and we are open as of 7 July. The damaged part of the Uitkyk Trail now includes a wooden walkway to help combat further erosion to the damaged area.
K-Way MaXiRace
THE K-Way MaxiRace Cape Winelands is taking place this weekend and one of its routes will cross Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. Please note that on Saturday 1 October 2022 regular hikers will only be allowed to enter the reserve from 11am. Find out more about the race at their official website: MaXiRace Cape Winelands orContinue reading “K-Way MaXiRace”
Mont Rochelle SkyRace®
ANOTHER year gone and it’s already time for this year’s Mont Rochelle SkyRace®, taking place at the reserve on Saturday, 3 September 2022. On the day of the race regular hikers will only be allowed to enter from 11am. Find out more about the race at the official Mont Rochelle SkyRace® website or on theirContinue reading “Mont Rochelle SkyRace®”
MONT ROCHELLE NATURE RESERVE 