Swartboskloof-Sosyskloof Hiking Trail
Directions to Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
This trail is in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, which is 9 kilometres east of Stellenbosch Central. Take Jonkershoek Road past Lanzerac Hotel & Spa and follow the road till you get to the gate.
The Swartboskloof-Sosyskloof starts in the reserve.
Start
From the the gate take the gravel road, at the fork keep right this is a circular road, for 3km to the first parking area. This is the starting point for the Sossyskloof (route 1 on Jonkershoek Nature Reserve map) hike.
End
Circular Route
Distance
4.3km or 6.7 km
Duration
2-3 hours
Rating
Easy to moderate
Permit
Obtain a permit and a map from the office at the gate of Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
Features
Fynbos, Proteas
Take With
You will need the following:
- good hiking shoes (especially winter time – wet season)
- walking stick
- cell phone with emergency numbers
- refreshments and water
- camera
- binoculars
Please Note
Route 1 on the map of Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. Start at the small parking area, where you will find the route marker for this hike and the Swartboskloof hike.
The only marking you will see on the hike is at the start.
This is a winter rainfall area and the route could be very slippery during this season.
Stay on path, short cuts cause erosion in wet season.
Description
A fairly easy to moderate scenic circular route. After a couple of hundred meters you will come to a fork, for the Sosyskloof hike take the path going to the right, keep right at the next turn off as well. At the gravel road go left and enter the veld about 30 meters ahead to the left. From here the hike takes you on a steady climb towards a hut. Once you past the hut you will cross two small waterfalls (after rain during the wet season) in quick succession. The views from here are awesome, look out for Klipspringers on the rocks towards the top of the mountain. Turn left on the path joining the path you are on, this will take you down towards the start again, at the T-junction in the path on your descend turn right and stay on this path till you reach the start again.
Highlights
- awesome views
- the Wild Proteas are starting to grow after a veldt fire destroyed some of these plants on the route and will soon be a feature on the hike again.