Jonkershoek Nature Reserve

Activities

• Walking and Hiking

  Various short walks are available on the reserve. Alternatively,the reserve offers four, more challenging, hikes ranging between 5.3km and 18km.

  Swartboskloof to Sosyskloof

  Trail distance:5.3km or 6.9km if taking longer route to lookout point
  Estimated time: 2–2.5 hours

  This easy, scenic trail ascends the western slopes of Swartboskloof for about 2km, passing through a patch of beautiful indigenous forest. Hikers follow a contour to Sosyskloof, before winding back to the start of the route. Please note the path is slippery when wet.

  Swartboskloof Trail

  Trail distance:18km
  Estimated time: 6 hours

  This trail ascends the steep Swartboskloof, going higher than 900m in altitude over the first 4.5km. Your efforts will be rewarded by breathtaking panoramic views. The route is fairly level after that, as it takes you to the top of Kurktrekkernek. From there, hikers descend 2.5km to a beautiful waterfall. Bring a swimming costume with you.

  Panorama Circuit

  Trail distance:17km
  Estimated time: 6 hours

  This scenic trail has a steep climb to a contour path just below the Banhoek peaks. This path leads to Bergriviernek, which has amazing views of Assegaaiboskloof. Bring a swimming costume with you.

  The route winds across the picturesque Dwarsberg plateau, with streams surrounded by disas, to Kurktrekkernek. From here, you can take a short detour to the summit of Guardian Peak (1 227m), which has stunning panoramic views of the Cape Peninsula, from Table Mountain to Cape Point, Robben Island, False Bay, Cape Hangklip, and the peaks of the Hottentots Holland range. From Kurktrekker, the path descends past Tweede and Eerste Waterval, back to the starting point. Please note the path is slippery when wet.

  Tweede Waterval

  Trail distance:6.4km
  Estimated time: 2 hours

  This is an easy ramble along the Eerste River, past Eerste Waterval, followed by a steep climb along a gorge to the foot of Tweede Waterval. The dangerous ascent to this waterfall is closed. Please note the path is slippery when wet. Bring a swimming costume with you.

• Swimming

  With four rivers finding their source in the Jonkershoek Mountains, there are many rock pools and waterfalls to discover as you explore the reserve’s trails.

• Mountain biking

  There are challenging routes over mountainous terrain, with spectacular scenery, on the adjoining Department of Forestry facility. Please note that there is an extra cost involved for mountain biking at Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, as this section of the land is owned and managed by the Department of Forestry.