Jonkershoek Nature Reserve

The Jonkershoek Valley is located about 10 km east of Stellenbosch below the imposing Hottentots-Holland Mountains. Several challenging hiking trails climb up into the steep mountain slopes of the Jonkershoek Forest, ranging in length from 7 km to 18 km.

The natural vegetation of the area is mountain fynbos interspersed with small patches of forested ravines. Pine tree plantations provide welcome shelter from the sun during the summer months.

These mountains are home to a number of large raptors, such as black eagle, spotted eagle owl, and fish eagle. The fynbos provides nourishment to the smaller herbivores in the park.

The Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is part of the much larger 42,00 ha Hottentots-Holland Nature Reserve, which can be explored via the Boland Hiking Trail. This trail, is accessible from the parks office located at the Nuweberg Dam located along the Viljoens Pass, about 10 km north of Grabouw.

Shorter day walks and picnic sites are available at the nearby Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve, This is a very scenic park located along the banks of the Eerste River, with a wildflower garden and majestic oak trees providing shade. There is also a small aquarium at the conservation station.

ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES AT JONKERSHOEK NATURE RESERVE:
- hiking
- cycling
- trout fishing

SUMMARY OF WILDLIFE & FLORA:
Vegetation: mountain fynbos
Birdlife: black eagle, spotted eagle owl, fish eagle
Fish: trout

DIRECTIONS TO JONKERSHOEK NATURE RESERVE:
- from Stellenbosch follow Jonkershoek Rd.

HOURS:
07:30 - 17:00