Limietberg Nature Reserve lies in the Du Toitskloof mountains near Paarl, forming a part of the greater Boland mountain range. Both the Dutoitskloof and Bainskloof passes fall within the reserve. The terrain is rugged, with steep kloofs and deep valleys. Tweede Tol, a campsite in Bainskloof, is popular spot to camp and to picnic. The Limietberg multi-day hike and various other day walks traverse the area.
Limietberg Nature Reserve lies in the Du Toitskloof mountains near Paarl, forming a part of the greater Boland mountain range. The reserve stretches from Franschhoek in the south, eastwards towards Groot Drakenstein, and northwards as far as Voëlvlei dam, covering an area of some 117 000 ha. The terrain is rugged, with steep kloofs and deep valleys. Du Toits Peak at 1996m is the highest point within the reserve. Limietberg is an important water catchment for the Breede and Berg rivers which flow through the reserve, and feed the Wemmershoek, Stettynskloof, Theewaterskloof and Voëlvlei dams.
The weather conditions in these mountains vary from very hot and dry in the summer months, to extremely cold and wet during the winter, with snow on the higher peaks. Hikers are cautioned to heed weather reports, as many hikers have been caught out by dangerous and often unpredictable conditions. The mountainous terrain makes rescue operations very difficult!
The vegetation is predominantly mountain fynbos with remnants of indigenous forest in some of the wetter kloofs. Alien trees, including black wattle, hakea and pine have invaded sections of the reserve.
Various mammals occur, including dassie, klipspringer, baboon and the occasional caracal and leopard. Two endemic birds, the Cape sugarbird and the protea canary, as well as black eagle and various other raptors may be sighted. Three endemic and increasingly threatened fish species occur in the Berg and Breede river systems. Trout (an exotic species) were introduced prior to the establishment of the reserve, and occur in most of the rivers and streams.
A number of interesting historical features may be seen while hiking in the reserve. These include Bushman paintings, a disused manganese mine, the original toll road from Franschhoek to Villiersdorp known as Catspad, and a cross erected by Italian prisoners of war. In the Bains Kloof pass, graves can be seen of convicts who helped to build the road, while there was an old prison at Tweede Tol campsite.
Booking
All trails should be booked well in advance, preferably through:
South West Region Reservation Office Private Bag 7 BELLVILLE 7535 Tel: (021) 945-4570 Tygerberg Centre, Voortrekker Road, Bellville hothol@cnc.org.za
Alternatively reservations can be made at:
CNC Information Desk Pinnacle Building c/o Castle and Burg Street PO Box 1403 Cape Town 8000 South Africa
Nominal tariffs per person per day are charged, and fees are available from the above offices.
Advice and Safety
Hiking in these mountains can be dangerous!
Obtain a good map. The 1:50 000 Franschhoek (3319 CC) and 1:50 000 Bainskloof (3319 CA) are the most suitable.
Consult weather reports, and if inclement weather is predicted postpone your hike. If the weather becomes bad while hiking make your way to the end of the trail as soon as possible.
Always inform someone of your route and your expected time of return.
Hiking groups should not be less than 3 people.
Carry first aid and snakebite kits.
Wear strong shoes, with non-slip soles.
Take warm clothing and a waterproof jacket.
Carry emergency rations, a torch and pocket knife.
Take a hat and sun cream.
Adhere to paths to avoid getting lost and/ or causing soil erosion.
Permits must be carried at all times, as field rangers do routine checks.
It is illegal to make fires anywhere in the reserve except at designated picnic sites. Please be very careful with cigarette ends!
Emergency number: 082-4949-707
Hiking Trails
1. Limietberg Trail
(formerly known as Hawequas)
This two-day trail stretches from the foot of Du Toitskloof via Bainskloof village (also known as Eerste Tol) to Tweede Tol, over a distance of 36 km. Groups are limited to 12 people and a maximum of 24 people are allowed on the trail per day.
The trail starts at the old Hawequas Forestry Station, where vehicles may be left. It is 19 km of fairly easy walking (about 7 hours), mainly on jeep tracks, to the overnight hut at Happy Valley. The upper reaches of the Witte River flow through this valley, forming many swimming pools, including the well known Junction Pool. The second day's walk from the hut to Tweede Tol is a distance of about 17km (about 8 hours). This section is through more mountainous terrain, and it is essential to carry water. The route offers fantastic views, and climbs steadily to the highest point at Pic Blanc (1049 m). From here it descends to Wolwekloof and eventually ends at Tweede Tol.
Fires are forbidden en route and at the hut, and hikers are advised to carry small stoves. In the summer months it is advisable to begin early in order to avoid the midday heat.
2. Bobbejaan River
This is a 4,5 km (about 3 hours) hike in Bainskloof along the Bobbejaans River, a tributary of the Witte River, to a waterfall. The trail begins at Eerste Tol parking area, where vehicles may be left.
About 50 m from the parking area there is a wooden style over a wire fence.
From this point the trail leads down into the kloof where it crosses the Witte River. A short climb out of the kloof brings one to a contour high above the Bobbejaans River, and from here it is an easy walk to the waterfall at the top end of the kloof. About 3,5 km along the trail a turn-off leads down to swimming sites on the river. Just before the Bobbejaans waterfall, which falls over three levels, the last 750 m of the footpath cuts into the steep slopes on the right of the kloof .
This trail is very popular in summer, when the disas and giant proteas are in bloom. In winter the Witte River may be very full, making it dangerous to cross. This trail may be closed in winter.
3. Happy Valley
This 4,5 km (about 2,5 hours) walk is in Bainskloof, and follows a section of the Limietberg Trail to Junction Pool. For this reason numbers are limited to 12 people per day. It begins at Eerste Tol, where vehicles may be parked, and leads up a jeep track past the ruins of an old house and the monument for the 1895 Witte River disaster. Many beautiful swimming pools on the river are accessible along the trail, with Junction Pool being the most popular destination and the end of the route. Return via the same route.
4. Elands River
This trail is in Du Toitskloof, immediately to the right after the Worcester exit of the tunnel. There is a fenced parking area for permit holders at the tunnel control truck stop about 700 m from the tunnel.
From the parking area the trail heads back towards the tunnel, and beneath the two bridges a sign indicates the direction of the Elands River Trail. It is about 3,5 km (about 2 hours) to the boundary of the conservation area. The first few hundred metres are the most difficult as the path has been cut out against a very steep slope.
After this section the route becomes easier, following the river along pools and patches of sand. At places the path swings away from the river, climbing quite high and providing panoramic views over the valley. As it descends to the river and leads towards Fisherman's Cave the vegetation becomes more dense. From this overhang the path follows the river a further 0,5 km to the boundary, ending abruptly against steep cliffs.
Hikers should not go further than this point as they will be trespassing on private land.
This trail is very popular and is an ideal winter day's hike, as the path does not cross the river. The river is popular with trout anglers.
5. Krom River
This trail is in Du Toitskloof, immediately to the left after the Worcester exit of the tunnel. About 700 m after the tunnel on the left side of the road there is a fenced parking area for permit holder near the tunnel control truck stop.
From the parking area the trail leads back towards the tunnel (as for the Elands River Trail), and beneath the two bridges a sign indicates the direction of the Krom River Trail. At this point the trail crosses the Krom and Molenaars Rivers and then leads on for about 2,5 km (about 2,5 hours) to the Krom River waterfall.
In winter it is difficult and dangerous to cross, and therefore the trail may be closed during this season.
The first section (about 10 minutes) of the footpath follows the right bank of the Molenaars River in the direction of the old tunnel. When it reaches the Krom River the path follows the right side of the kloof. At the top end of the kloof the vegetation becomes thicker and the last section of the path leads through indigenous riverine forest to the first waterfall.
Hikers are cautioned when climbing between the first and second waterfalls, and are advised to carry a rope. The second waterfall and large swimming pool are quite spectacular.
This trail is very popular, but may be inaccessible in winter after heavy rains.
6. Donkerkloof
This trail begins in the hairpin bend on the Paarl side of the old Du Toitskloof Pass. From Paarl the parking site is on the left, just before the bend. The footpath begins on the right side of Donkerkloof, and it is 3 km (about 2,5 hours) to the small waterfall.
The path climbs steadily through thick indigenous forest, crossing a stream several times. Good walking shoes are necessary as the terrain is quite stony. The forest hosts a variety of birds, and during midsummer beautiful disas and new year lilies bloom on the mountain slopes and alongside the waterfalls. The path ends at the waterfall at the left side of the kloof.
Do not climb past this point as it becomes dangerous.
7.Miaspoort (Italian Cross)
This trail is on the Paarl side of Du Toitskloof Pass. It leads to the Italian Cross at Huguenot Kop which was erected by the Italian prisoners of war who built the pass; a distance of approximately 4 km (about 3 hours).
It is a long and initially difficult walk as the first two hours are a steep climb to the top of Huguenot Kop. The path becomes easier once on the kop, but the last section is another steep climb up a neck to the cross at 1318 m. This trail offers unsurpassed views over the entire mountain range.
About 1 km further along the tar road from the parking site and start of the trail, a memorial stone looks directly up towards the cross, and gives an explanation of its history.
9. Mont Rochelle
This trail is in the Franschhoek Pass, and traverses Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve which is managed by the Franschhoek Municipality, but Perdekop and Observation Point are within Limietberg Nature Reserve. From Franschhoek the entrance of the reserve is situated above the second hairpin bend in the pass, on the left past the Catspad monument.
The Catspad Hiking Trail (not described in detail here) - which follows the original toll road between Franschhoek and Villiersdorp is also a popular trail which starts on private land and leads through Limietberg and Mont Rochelle. A permit for both the Mont Rochelle and Catspad trails is required from the municipality (Tel: 021-876-2055) or the Advisory Committee (021-876-4792).
The trail to Perdekop is about 7,5 km and takes between 3 and 4 hours there, and 2,5 hours back. It leads from the houses at Mont Rochelle, climbing steeply to a contour and then high above the river. On route hikers have a view over the Theewaterskloof dam and the Villiersdorp valley, and once at Observation Point (1056 m) one has a view over the Wemmershoek dam and valley. Before reaching Observation Point a cairn indicates a neck where the path climbs steeply up to Perdekop, leading above deep kloofs on the left side. Once the plateau has been reached the path to Perdekop is relatively easy. The return is via the same footpath. The route is through particularly beautiful fynbos.
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Alternatively reservations can be made at:
CNC Information Desk Pinnacle Building c/o Castle and Burg Street PO Box 1403 Cape Town 8000 South Africa
Tel: + 27 21 426-0723 Fax: + 27 21 423-9611
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Nominal tariffs per person per day are charged, and fees are available from the above offices.
Advice and Safety
Hiking in these mountains can be dangerous!
Obtain a good map. The 1:50 000 Franschhoek (3319 CC) and 1:50 000 Bainskloof (3319 CA) are the most suitable.
Consult weather reports, and if inclement weather is predicted postpone your hike. If the weather becomes bad while hiking make your way to the end of the trail as soon as possible.
Always inform someone of your route and your expected time of return.
Hiking groups should not be less than 3 people.
Carry first aid and snakebite kits.
Wear strong shoes, with non-slip soles.
Take warm clothing and a waterproof jacket.
Carry emergency rations, a torch and pocket knife.
Take a hat and sun cream.
Adhere to paths to avoid getting lost and/ or causing soil erosion.
Permits must be carried at all times, as field rangers do routine checks.
It is illegal to make fires anywhere in the reserve except at designated picnic sites. Please be very careful with cigarette ends!
Emergency number: 082-4949-707
Hiking Trails
1. Limietberg Trail
(formerly known as Hawequas)
This two-day trail stretches from the foot of Du Toitskloof via Bainskloof village (also known as Eerste Tol) to Tweede Tol, over a distance of 36 km. Groups are limited to 12 people and a maximum of 24 people are allowed on the trail per day.
The trail starts at the old Hawequas Forestry Station, where vehicles may be left. It is 19 km of fairly easy walking (about 7 hours), mainly on jeep tracks, to the overnight hut at Happy Valley. The upper reaches of the Witte River flow through this valley, forming many swimming pools, including the well known Junction Pool. The second day's walk from the hut to Tweede Tol is a distance of about 17km (about 8 hours). This section is through more mountainous terrain, and it is essential to carry water. The route offers fantastic views, and climbs steadily to the highest point at Pic Blanc (1049 m). From here it descends to Wolwekloof and eventually ends at Tweede Tol.
Fires are forbidden en route and at the hut, and hikers are advised to carry small stoves. In the summer months it is advisable to begin early in order to avoid the midday heat.
2. Bobbejaan River
This is a 4,5 km (about 3 hours) hike in Bainskloof along the Bobbejaans River, a tributary of the Witte River, to a waterfall. The trail begins at Eerste Tol parking area, where vehicles may be left.
About 50 m from the parking area there is a wooden style over a wire fence.
From this point the trail leads down into the kloof where it crosses the Witte River. A short climb out of the kloof brings one to a contour high above the Bobbejaans River, and from here it is an easy walk to the waterfall at the top end of the kloof. About 3,5 km along the trail a turn-off leads down to swimming sites on the river. Just before the Bobbejaans waterfall, which falls over three levels, the last 750 m of the footpath cuts into the steep slopes on the right of the kloof .
This trail is very popular in summer, when the disas and giant proteas are in bloom. In winter the Witte River may be very full, making it dangerous to cross. This trail may be closed in winter.
3. Happy Valley
This 4,5 km (about 2,5 hours) walk is in Bainskloof, and follows a section of the Limietberg Trail to Junction Pool. For this reason numbers are limited to 12 people per day. It begins at Eerste Tol, where vehicles may be parked, and leads up a jeep track past the ruins of an old house and the monument for the 1895 Witte River disaster. Many beautiful swimming pools on the river are accessible along the trail, with Junction Pool being the most popular destination and the end of the route. Return via the same route.
4. Elands River
This trail is in Du Toitskloof, immediately to the right after the Worcester exit of the tunnel. There is a fenced parking area for permit holders at the tunnel control truck stop about 700 m from the tunnel.
From the parking area the trail heads back towards the tunnel, and beneath the two bridges a sign indicates the direction of the Elands River Trail. It is about 3,5 km (about 2 hours) to the boundary of the conservation area. The first few hundred metres are the most difficult as the path has been cut out against a very steep slope.
After this section the route becomes easier, following the river along pools and patches of sand. At places the path swings away from the river, climbing quite high and providing panoramic views over the valley. As it descends to the river and leads towards Fisherman's Cave the vegetation becomes more dense. From this overhang the path follows the river a further 0,5 km to the boundary, ending abruptly against steep cliffs.
Hikers should not go further than this point as they will be trespassing on private land.
This trail is very popular and is an ideal winter day's hike, as the path does not cross the river. The river is popular with trout anglers.
5. Krom River
This trail is in Du Toitskloof, immediately to the left after the Worcester exit of the tunnel. About 700 m after the tunnel on the left side of the road there is a fenced parking area for permit holder near the tunnel control truck stop.
From the parking area the trail leads back towards the tunnel (as for the Elands River Trail), and beneath the two bridges a sign indicates the direction of the Krom River Trail. At this point the trail crosses the Krom and Molenaars Rivers and then leads on for about 2,5 km (about 2,5 hours) to the Krom River waterfall.
In winter it is difficult and dangerous to cross, and therefore the trail may be closed during this season.
The first section (about 10 minutes) of the footpath follows the right bank of the Molenaars River in the direction of the old tunnel. When it reaches the Krom River the path follows the right side of the kloof. At the top end of the kloof the vegetation becomes thicker and the last section of the path leads through indigenous riverine forest to the first waterfall.
Hikers are cautioned when climbing between the first and second waterfalls, and are advised to carry a rope. The second waterfall and large swimming pool are quite spectacular.
This trail is very popular, but may be inaccessible in winter after heavy rains.
6. Donkerkloof
This trail begins in the hairpin bend on the Paarl side of the old Du Toitskloof Pass. From Paarl the parking site is on the left, just before the bend. The footpath begins on the right side of Donkerkloof, and it is 3 km (about 2,5 hours) to the small waterfall.
The path climbs steadily through thick indigenous forest, crossing a stream several times. Good walking shoes are necessary as the terrain is quite stony. The forest hosts a variety of birds, and during midsummer beautiful disas and new year lilies bloom on the mountain slopes and alongside the waterfalls. The path ends at the waterfall at the left side of the kloof.
Do not climb past this point as it becomes dangerous.
7.Miaspoort (Italian Cross)
This trail is on the Paarl side of Du Toitskloof Pass. It leads to the Italian Cross at Huguenot Kop which was erected by the Italian prisoners of war who built the pass; a distance of approximately 4 km (about 3 hours).
It is a long and initially difficult walk as the first two hours are a steep climb to the top of Huguenot Kop. The path becomes easier once on the kop, but the last section is another steep climb up a neck to the cross at 1318 m. This trail offers unsurpassed views over the entire mountain range.
About 1 km further along the tar road from the parking site and start of the trail, a memorial stone looks directly up towards the cross, and gives an explanation of its history.
9. Mont Rochelle
This trail is in the Franschhoek Pass, and traverses Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve which is managed by the Franschhoek Municipality, but Perdekop and Observation Point are within Limietberg Nature Reserve. From Franschhoek the entrance of the reserve is situated above the second hairpin bend in the pass, on the left past the Catspad monument.
The Catspad Hiking Trail (not described in detail here) - which follows the original toll road between Franschhoek and Villiersdorp is also a popular trail which starts on private land and leads through Limietberg and Mont Rochelle. A permit for both the Mont Rochelle and Catspad trails is required from the municipality (Tel: 021-876-2055) or the Advisory Committee (021-876-4792).
The trail to Perdekop is about 7,5 km and takes between 3 and 4 hours there, and 2,5 hours back. It leads from the houses at Mont Rochelle, climbing steeply to a contour and then high above the river. On route hikers have a view over the Theewaterskloof dam and the Villiersdorp valley, and once at Observation Point (1056 m) one has a view over the Wemmershoek dam and valley. Before reaching Observation Point a cairn indicates a neck where the path climbs steeply up to Perdekop, leading above deep kloofs on the left side. Once the plateau has been reached the path to Perdekop is relatively easy. The return is via the same footpath. The route is through particularly beautiful fynbos.
