Jonkershoek Nature Reserve — Attraction in Stellenbosch Local Municipality

10 April 2022 - Jonkershoek ‘Saaltjie’ hiking trail! It’s time I introduce a scoring system, as for the first time we’ve done a hike we think is not worth the effort. The problem with Jonkershoek is that its best parts, the waterfalls and panoramic views, are deep into the nature reserve. There are two parking areas; one at the gate and another that is only accessible by 4x4 based on comments on a Cape Town Hiking Facebook group. Were you to park at the gate, you are forced to hike a meh 5 km route before you even get to the start of the good trails. I’m sorry to say that you have to hike that same 5 kms back again.

If you have a 4x4 or know a hiking friend who does, consider yourself lucky. If, like us, you don’t and don’t want to risk damaging your car, I’m sorry to say you’ll have to hike quite far to reach the view this nature reserve is famous for. We opted for the Saaltjie trail (Afrikaans for small saddle), which is a 14 km trail in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. The Panorama Trail via the 2nd waterfall, in comparison, is a 22 km trail, which we are probably not ready for yet. We definitely want to give Jonkershoek a second chance by exploring this trail in 2023.

We score the Jonkershoek Saaltjie trail as follows: Overall Score: 4/10 Cost: R 50 per permit Difficulty: 5/10 (some parts are steep) Technical: No, but rather rocky at parts Views: Yes Pools and Waterfalls: No (this trail does not access either of the two waterfalls) Crowds: Not as many hikers, some trail runners and quite a few mountain bikers. Fun Stuff: A couple of benches and baboon encounters. Other than that, no.

The reason for the low score is the overall vibe of the hike. It spans across a rocky, sloped area that we think used to be forests and plantations. Unfortunately some of it seems to have burnt down at some point and the rest of the pine plantations have been harvested, leaving dead and charred wood and stumps behind. The overall vibe is that of a pine plantation graveyard. This part of the reserve needs time to heal and grow. There were some plantations at the end of the trail and some lovely parts as well, but they were sparse and far between. Unfortunately this, and the glorious views at the top of the trail, does not make up for the 12 or so kms of same-same sights.

This trail is more suited for mountain bikers who seek the thrill of an uphill and downhill ride. We followed the trail from the Alltrails app, which unfortunately took us up mountain biking paths. This is not safe for hikers, nor the mountain bikers racing down the hill.

I hope Cape Nature has plans on improving the road to the waterfalls. Based on the photos seen on the interwebs, this is a spectacular area so many more people could enjoy if they had easier access to it. We got a really good...

A Symphony of Nature Marred by Discordant Notes

Nestled amidst the rugged beauty of Stellenbosch, Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is a haven of tranquility. The reserve's mountainous dirt roads lead adventurers through a tapestry of Cape flora, where the air is perfumed with fynbos and the vibrant hues of proteas catch the eye. It's a place where sunbirds, including the radiant orange-breasted sunbirds and the flitting Cape sugarbirds, dance from bloom to bloom, adding a splash of color to the verdant landscape.

The melody of mountain streams accompanies one's journey, their soothing cadence a balm for weary souls. The sound of water over stone is mesmerizing, a natural symphony that amplifies the reserve's serene ambiance and makes it an ideal escape from the clamor of daily life.

However, this idyllic Sunday sanctuary was recently disrupted by an intrusive cacophony. The relentless roar of chainsaws sliced through the peace, their amplified echoes clashing with the reserve's otherwise perfect harmony. This disturbance, a stark contrast to the reserve's blissful quietude, was a jarring intrusion that detracted from the overall experience.

While Jonkershoek remains a breathtaking slice of wilderness, the presence of such noise pollution on a day meant for rest and rejuvenation was a significant letdown. It is my hope that this feedback will be a catalyst for change, ensuring that future visitors can fully immerse themselves in the natural splendor that Jonkershoek...

Please note: to purchase a day pass, tickets need to be purchase on the myMTO app. Available on the App and Play Stores. When arriving at Jonkershoek, the day pass needs to be presented at the entrance gate to the Cape Nature Staff.

The drive to the reserve is scenic and the trails as well. The nature reserve is versatile as it has trails for hikers, runners, and mountain bike users.

The trail that I hiked was the Tweede Waterval. The trail requires a moderate fitness level, as there are some scrabbles (short people problems 😄).

There are two ways of starting the hike, either you can drive in (this needs to be arranged with cape nature and the confirmation email needs to be shown at the front gate) or you could walk in the 5kms.

Driving is best if your vehicle is able to handle potholes, muddy puddles and jagged stones.

The trail is pretty straightforward, there are two waterfalls. The first waterfall, is easy to reach, however to get to the second, a river has to be crossed (first point), and then also needs to be walked through (second point) to experience the waterfall.

Best to have a set of dry clothes in the car, and when walking through the river, also having some aqua shoes would be handy.

The trails are safe, and fellow trail users are...