MONT ROCHELLE NATURE RESERVE

Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve is part of the UNESCO declared Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve. Situated in the Franschhoek Mountains, the reserve offers spectacular views of the Franschhoek Valley, diverse plant life and over 30km of safe, well-maintained hiking trails (ranging from short walks to day hikes). You can buy permits online at webtickets, at the entrance to the reserve or at select outlets in Franschhoek. For more information about the reserve visit our website or click here to read about our hiking routes. Find us elsewhere on the web: Facebook Instagram flickr

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To coincide with Heritage Month and Tourism Month, the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve will waive conservation fees for a full week, allowing hikers to visit the reserve free of charge between 20-27 September 2022. No pre-bookings required. Happy hiking!

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Price increase

ANNOUNCEMENT: While the price of permits to MRNR has remained unchanged since the start of 2018, there will be an increase to our entrance fees in the New Year.

Reserve entrance fees from 1 January 2022

Adult: R70

Child (age 12-17): R70

Child (age 0-12): free

Year permit: R350 per person

Pamphlets: R30

Thank you and happy hiking!

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Mont Rochelle - A Dazzling Loop Hike Near Franschhoek

A beautiful mountain circuit with stunning panoramas at Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. This hike visits Du Toitskop and Perdekop.

Tom & Vicky over at Ostrich Trails hiked through the reserve and posted a detailed account of their trip. Well worth heading over to their blog to check it out!

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We are open

NOTICE: The reserve is open every day of the week, including public holidays. No one is permitted to enter without a mask and we ask that hikers wear their masks while speaking to staff members and when passing other hikers on our trails. Thank you

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Buying permits

If you’re buying your permits at the entrance gate, please note that we’re no longer accepting cash. We have a card facility or you can pay using the Zapper, SnapScan or Masterpass apps.

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Mont Rochelle's Uitkyk Hiking Trail — Alicia Chamaillé

The Uitkyk Trail is Mont Rochelle's second shortest hike but it's full of spectacular views. Get all the important details here.

If you haven't hiked the Uitkyk Trail yet this blog post by photographer Alicia Chamaillé might just be the thing to get you up there!

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We often see the striking Cape Rockjumper on the DuToitskop Trail. 

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There’s snow in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. Hike the Perdekop Trail to get to it. The hike takes about six hours to complete. Thanks @barbaracolephotography (on FB and Insta) for the beautiful pic.

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Rules of the reserve during lockdown

–Hikers must wear masks when entering the reserve and talking to staff members.

–The temperatures of all hikers will be taken on entering MRNR and those found to have an elevated temperature won’t be allowed to enter the reserve.

–Lockdown social distancing rules must be adhered to.

–During the COVID-19 period all hikers will have to sign our logbook prior to entering the reserve. They will need to supply their full names, cellphone and car registration numbers, and indicate that they understand and accept the rules of the reserve during the COVID-19 period.

–MRNR will provide screening and sanitising for all hikers entering the reserve.  

–The Advisory Board of the MRNR and the Stellenbosch Municipality won’t be held liable if a person is diagnosed with COVID-19 at a later stage.

–All hikers will exit the reserve daily by 6pm.

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We are open

We're happy to announce that Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve will be open to hikers from tomorrow, Wednesday 3 June. Staff will be taking extra precautions and we ask that you be respectful to them and to other hikers. The entrance fee can be paid using cash or the Masterpass app, although the contactless payment method is preferred. We look forward to seeing you soon, happy hiking!

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All the best at #ottertrail2016 @landiegreyling! Thanks for sharing these amazing pics of @traildumontrochelle 👍👍 _____________ @Regrann from @landiegreyling - Because when you stop and look around - this life is pretty amazing! #timetoplay #montrochelle #naturesparadise #beatyesterday #fortheloveofadventure #blessed #Regrann (at Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve)

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We’ve added a bunch of new photos to our Flickr page. Go check them out!

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NEW TRAIL NOW OPEN

We are excited to announce that the reserve has a new trail: THE WINELANDS TRAIL. Starting at the MRNR car park and connecting with the LOWER CATS SE PAD TRAIL, this new trail is in full view of the Franschhoek valley at all times and is a lovely 3,5 km circular route with a spectacular view from start to finish.

If a 3,5 km hike is a bit short for you the Winelands Trail can also be walked as part of the Lower Cats se Pad trail. At its lower end the Winelands trail branches off the Lower Cats se Pad trail close to the Franschhoek Pass road, the upper end of the trail is close to the MRNR car park.  It is about 1,8km long one way with a vertical reach of about 110 metres.

ROUTE OPTIONS

One way walk (as part of Cats se Pad): You will need to park your car at the top of Reservoir Street in Franschhoek and arrange for transport back to the village for this option (or you can start at the MRNR car park and walk down hill back to the village). Total one way distance from Reservoir Street entrance to MRNR car park is about 5.5 km. Vertical reach is about 400 m.

     OR

Circular walk:   Drive up Franschhoek Pass & park at MRNR car park.  Best to do the walk in the direction as given below but the other way round is also fine.

Start the WINELANDS walk at the MRNR car park. At the junction with Cats se Pad Trail (this is near the Franschhoek Pass road) go up the wooden steps, cross the road, go up the steel ladder and continue on towards the Cats se Pad memorial monument. Follow the footpath and cross the pass road again to finish at the MRNR car park. Total distance about 3,5 km. Vertical reach about 110 m.  

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We’ve posted more pics to our photostream. Go take a look!

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Cape sugarbird (Promerops cafer) feasting on a protea in the reserve.

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We’ve uploaded some awesome pics of a Working on Fire helicopter in action in Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. Go check out our Flickr page for hires shots.

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We’ve added new pics to our flickr account. Go check them out