Please note that maintenance work has started on the Uitkyk Trail. Workers are currently stationed near Uitkyk, where the Manganese and Perdekop trails split off from the route. Visitors are still welcome and this shouldn’t impact on hikes too much. Thank you. (27 Aug 2021). UPDATE: Maintenance work has been completed.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Snow at Mont Rochelle
A SNOW UPDATE FOR WEEKEND HIKERS (23/07/2021): Most of the snow in the reserve has melted but there’s still a small amount left on Perdekop, the highest peak in the reserve. The Perdekop Trail is our longest trail – it usually takes about seven hours to hike in its entirety and the snow is quiteContinue reading “Snow at Mont Rochelle”
Buying permits
If you’re planning to buy your permits at the entrance gate, please note that we’re no longer accepting cash. We have a card facility or you can pay using the Zapper, SnapScan or Masterpass apps.
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: 7 hours Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult 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”
MONT ROCHELLE NATURE RESERVE 