Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve
Paarl Mountain
Paarl Mountain has been declared a Nature Reserve in 1977. Drakenstein Municipality is one of the few municipalities that administers a nature reserve. Paarl is particularly known for its mountain or “Paarl Rock”.
The huge granite rock is formed by three rounded outcrops that make up Paarl Mountain and is the second largest granite outcrop in the world and forms part of the Nature Reserve.
Few towns have been blessed as Paarl has with an area of unspoiled natural beauty at its doorstep.
The picturesque landscape of fynbos vegetation is dominated by massive rounded granite rocks set among ancient wild olives, rock candle woods and wagon trees.
The water in the storage dams contributes to the tranquillity. There are several viewpoints which offer panoramic views toward Table Mountain and the sea in the west and the Boland Mountains in the east.
A network of paths make it an ideal area in which to walk, within a few minutes of the bustle of everyday urban life.
Local schools have laid out the Klipkers Nature Trail for which a guidebook is available. The circular route starts at the Language Monument and takes roughly 2 hours.
Conservation of the indigenous plant and animal life involves among other things, eradicating exotic plants and implementing a program of controlled burning.
The Jan Phillips Mountain Road is kept in good repair, although not tarred, as well as the road leading to the Bretagne Rocks with its spectacular viewpoints.
On the plateau, roads are not intensively maintained, mainly to discourage motor traffic and to retain it as an unspoiled walking area.
Fishing permits available at Paarl Municipality.
How to get there
The mountain can be accessed from various places, the easiest of which is from the main road in Paarl.
Take the N1 from Cape Town and travel approximately 60km and then take the first turn-off into the town of Paarl (R45). Travel along this road and shortly after the KWV buildings on the right, look for a signpost towards the Jan Phillips Drive on the left. Take the Jan Phillips Drive on the left. Follow the road up the mountain until a T-junction where one turns right towards the Flower garden. Entrance to the mountain Reserve is a short distance past the garden.
Alternatively, form the main road, one could head towards the Language Monument and then take a small gravel road to the right shortly before the monument. A small fee is required for entrance to the mountain reserve.
Visiting Hours:
Summer 08:00 tot 18:00
Winter 09:00 tot 17:00
Admission Fee:
Free
Thanks to Drakenstein Municipality