Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve

The reserve’s mountainous terrain ranges between altitudes of 500m and 1 590m. The entrance to the reserve is at Nuweberg, high in Viljoen’s Pass between Grabouw and Villiersdorp. About 7 000 hectares of private and state property around the reserve are co-managed by the Theewaterskloof Conservancy, which includes CapeNature and various landowners.

The rocky mountains, bright wildflowers and still natural pools make the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve perfect for challenging hikes, pulse-racing kloofing and the new Cape Canopy Tour zipline adventure.

Hikes and trails

These range from day excursions to overnight experiences on the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve.

The Palmiet Trail is 6km long and takes about 2 hours. This easy, circular route is perfect for families. Please note that hikers will not be allowed to start hiking this route later than 2 pm to make sure hikers are back before dark.

Boland Hiking Trail from the Nuweberg to Landdroskop Hut is the Sphinx Route which is 12km and takes between 3 and 4 hours. Hikers will not be allowed to start hiking this route later than 1 pm, to ensure that they are finished safely before nightfall. Then there is the Nuweberg to Boesmanskloof Hut (Orchard route which is  14km, 4-5 hours. Here too hikers will not be allowed to start hiking this route later than 12:00 noon. The Nuweberg to Boesmanskloof Hut Pofaddernek and Noordekloof is a  longer route at 17.2km it takes about 7 hours and is quite strenuous.  The overnight hiking trail winds through the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve. The trail has two overnight sites, one with two huts and another with one hut. All trails start and end at the parking area next to the offices.

Suicide Gorge is for the seriously adventurous. The hike takes you high up into the mountains, and then down again in what is really a huge slip n-slide. You can down natural water slides for most of the walk. There are even jumps of 14 metres. Ask the nature reserve’s management what to do in case of emergency when you get there, as they have special procedures.

There is also a  mountain bike trail in the reserve which is 22km, winding up to Groenlandberg. This trail offers stunning panoramic views of the sea, nearby farms, and even Hermanus on a clear day. It’s a moderate out-and-back route that allows bikers to enjoy the reserve’s wealth of fynbos.

Hikers should be fit, experienced, and well-equipped for extreme weather. The route may close temporarily in extreme weather conditions. Weather conditions in the mountains can be unpredictable and dangerous. No pets/no firearms/ no picking of flowers or collection of seeds/ fires only in designated areas.

GPS: 34 4 26.64 S 19 3 42.41 E

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