The Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve (part of the UNESCO-declared Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve) has several hiking routes of varying difficulty. Situated in the Franschhoek Mountains, MRNR offers spectacular views of the Franschhoek Valley, diverse plant life and over 30km of safe, well-maintained hiking trails (ranging from one-hour walks to day hikes).

We’re open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Find out how to get your permit here.

• Duration: 45min
• Difficulty: Easy
• Distance: +/- 2km

Breakfast Rock Trail, which starts and ends at the main entry gate to the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, is also the start to the Vista, Du Toitskop, Uitkyk and Perdekop trails. Breakfast Rock (897m; 33-54-51 S.; 19-09-35 E.) is +/- 1km from the main entry gate. The route climbs 135 metres along this distance – a moderately fit hiker could walk this in less than 30 minutes.

The first 450m of the trail is a very easy walk along a gravel road. Once the Breakfast Rock Trail branches off to the left of the road, the zig-zag trail gradually rises by about 95m before reaching Breakfast Rock.

About 925m into the walk the Vista Trail branches off to the left of the trail. At Breakfast Rock the trail continues straight on towards the Uitkyk and Perdekop Trails. The trail to Du Toitskop peak branches off to the left.

Vista Trail

Duration: <2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: +/-2.5km

If walked in an anti-clockwise direction this trail has a steep downhill slope.

The Vista Trail starts and ends at the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve’s main gate. This circular trail includes the Breakfast Rock Trail and a short section of the DuToitskop Trail. Most hikers walk the Vista Trail in a clockwise direction. The trail climbs about 275m to reach an elevation of 1 028m above sea level.

Start on the Breakfast Rock Trail, the Vista Trail branches off to the left after about 925m from the main gate (elevation 870m; 33-53-52 S; 19-09-31 E). It’s about 315m to the panoramic viewpoint.At the Vista viewpoint the trail swings northerly and easterly for about 150m, rising sharply by about 40m over this distance.

On this part of the trail Lion’s Head and Table Mountain can be seen through the Helshoogte gap between Simonsberg (right) and Groot Drakenstein Mountain (left) on a clear day. The Vista Trail continues more or less easterly for another 300m, rising more than 60m to meet the DuToitskop Trail (elevation 1 028m; 33-53-42 S; 19-09-24 E).

Turn right onto the DuToitskop Trail and follow it for about 550m until you get to Breakfast Rock. Turn right onto the Breakfast Rock Trail, from here it is about 1km to the main gate.

Uitkyk Trail

• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: +/- 6km

The first section of this well-marked and popular linear trail includes the Breakfast Rock Trail. A fit hiker can complete the round trip in about 3 hours. Unprepared hikers should not divert to the Perdekop Trail. The trail is fairly straight and also only rises about 360 metres in total. The distance from the main gate to the vantage point at the terminus of the Uitkyk Trail is about 3km from where you double back to the main gate.

Once past Breakfast Rock the trail mostly follows the westerly valley slope of the Perdekloof stream. The trail crosses a stream about 845m beyond Breakfast Rock; this is a wonderful place to stop – the water is safe to drink and very refreshing. The turn-off to Perdekop Trail is encountered +/- 2km beyond Breakfast Rock (1 108m; 33-52-50 S; 19-09-42 E.), keep straight on for the Uitkyk viewpoint.

The Uitkyk Trail terminus and panoramic viewpoint (1 093m; 33-54-40 S; 19-09-43 E.) boasts a spectacular view of the secluded Wemmershoek valley and Wemmershoek Dam.

Perdekop Trail

• Duration: 5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: +/- 13km

We advise you not to hike this route alone or in adverse weather.

The circular Perdekop Trail rises 850m from its starting point to peak halfway at Perdekop, 1 575m. Perdekop is the highest point in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. This route description assumes a clockwise hike but the trail can also be hiked in an anticlockwise direction.

Start off at the entry gate, go past Breakfast Rock and carry on towards Uitkyk. About 2.7km from the entry gate (33-52-50 S; 19-09-42 E) the Perdekop Trail branches off towards the east of the Uitkyk Trail (elevation 1 108m). The footpath continues in a general easterly direction, climbing steadily (+/- 180m) in the first kilometre.

For the next 2km the footpath swings in a north-easterly direction, then northerly and north-easterly. Along this sector superb panoramic views of the Wemmershoek valley and surrounding cliffs can be seen. To the west Table Mountain is visible on a clear day.

The footpath then swings eastward, crossing a small stream and passing the turn-off to the return route (33-52-25 S; 19-11-34 E; elevation 1 488m). Perdekop Peak (elevation 1 575m) is about 4.3km from the Uitkyk turnoff. It is marked by a large stone cairn (elevation 1 575m; 33-52- 22 S; 19-11-55 E).

From Perdekop Peak the footpath steadily descends in a southerly, south-westerly direction. The last stretch includes a very steep descent into the Du Toit’s River gorge, and a steep climb back up. From there it is a short walk back to the gate.

Plan your Visit

Don’ts

• • Never hike alone
  • No dogs (even on a leash)
  • No drones
  • No littering
  • Don’t pick flowers or damage plants
  • No open fires
  • No advertising flags, posters or billboards
  • No vehicles beyond the main gate
  • Don’t hike without a permit