Anyone who has driven Clarens Drive between Rooiels and Kleinmond has likely been stunned into silence at the sight of the pristine wildness of the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. The reserve presents perhaps the finest example of mountain fynbos in the Western Cape and is a well known World Heritage Site, home to 150 endemic plant species (for some perspective the whole of the British Isles has only 47 plant species).
Kogelberg Nature Reserve is a paradise for hikers offering a number of day hikes and multi-day trails. These include:
The Palmiet River Walk
This is an easy trail along the river’s edge.
Trail distance 10km
Estimated time 3 hours
Oudebosch-Harold Porter
This is a moderate hike up Oudebosch gorge into Harold Porter Botanical Garden.
Trail distance 10km
Estimated time 3-4 hours
Kogelberg Trail
This is a moderate to long walk along Oudebosch gorge passing through Oudebosch montane forest patch and close to the Platbos and Louw’s bos montane forests.
Trail distance 24km
Estimated time 8 hours
Perdeberg Trail
This is a moderate to long walk starting from the Iona Wine Estate to Perdeberg peak lookout point.
Trail distance 22km
Estimated time 7-8 hours
Three Sisters Trail
This is a moderate walk starting from the Kleinmond Golf course.
Trail distance 8km
Estimated time 4 hours
Houwhoek Trail
This is a moderate walk starting from the Houwhoek Inn
Trail distance 8km
Estimated time 3 hours
Rooisand Ramble
This is an easy walk along the Rooisand boardwalk at the Botriver Estuary
Trail distance 5km
Estimated time 2hours
Highlands Trail
Moderate two-day overnight hike
Gate times:
Winter (April – August). 07h30 to 180h00
Summer (September – March) 07h30 19h00
