Jonkershoek Nature Reserve

Please note that Jonkershoek Nature Reserve will be closed until 3 March 2021 due to a major fire in the area.

Please note some trails are very long and there are cut off times of 09:30 on Kurktrekkersnek. Please inquire at the Access Gate staff for more information. There are limited trail and parking capacity. Once the daily capacity is reached, no further entries will be permitted. Daily capacities are in place and we strongly recommend that visitors check with our Contact Centre by phone: 087 087 8250, email: reservation.alert@capenature.co.za or make an online booking on booking.capenature.co.za.  Parking along the circular drive is not guaranteed and late arrivals will need to park at the MTO access gate and walk the additional 10 Km. For all the details on what is permitted and what is not at CapeNature reserves under Alert Level 3 restrictions, please click here.

Please book permits for hiking in advance, by no later than 10h00 on the same morning, but preferably on the previous day. 

This nature reserve is home to the majestic Jonkershoek Mountains and parts of the Jonkershoek valley. The reserve, which includes the smaller Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve, lies near the town of Stellenbosch in the south-western Cape. Visitors may choose to explore one or both reserves, as they are in easy reach of each other. The reserves are about 9km from Stellenbosch, on the Jonkershoek valley road.

The rugged Jonkershoek Mountains, which form part of the Boland Mountains, are ideal for hiking enthusiasts. The Eerste, Berg, Lourens and Riviersonderend rivers all start high in these mountains, although only the Eerste River actually flows through the Jonkershoek valley. The area is also rich in animal and plant life, with over 1 100 plant species and a variety of small mammals, birds and reptiles. Hikers should be on the lookout for berg adders, puff adders, boomslang and Cape cobras.

The reserve is about 9 800 hectares, while Assegaaibosch is about 204 hectares. The smaller reserve is home to the historical Assegaaibosch farmstead, a national monument built in 1792, while both reserves are World Heritage Sites.

Jonkershoek is hot in summer, and cold and wet in winter. Visitors in the colder months may even see snow dusting the higher mountain peaks. Hikers should note that weather conditions can change rapidly.

To find out more, download the Jonkershoek Map & Brochure.

How to get there

From Cape Town: Take the N2 highway out of Cape Town towards Stellenbosch. Take exit 33 for Baden Powell Drive towards the R310/Stellenbosch/Macassar. Turn right onto Polkadraai Road/R310 and follow the road. It becomes Adam Tas Street. Turn right onto Langstraat-Suid Road and continue onto Helshoogte Road. Turn right onto Simonsberg Road and at the roundabout take the first exit onto Martinson Road. Continue onto Jonkershoek Road and follow the signs until your reach the reserve entrance.

GPS: 33 57 48.70 S  18 55 31.98 E

Office hours: 07h30–16h00

Gate hours: 08h00-18h00

Please report to reception on arrival. Note that the Covid-19 related check–in takes at least 15 minutes per guest group.

Office number: 087 087 4118
Permit bookings Tel: 087 087 8250