Jonkershoek Twin Peaks Overnight via Sentrale Kloof and Langrivierkloof – (Jonkershoek NR – Stellenbosch)

Jonkershoek Pieke 1494m asl. Warning!! This route is not to be attempted without obtaining the proper permissions from the relevant authorities. Nor should it be attempted without a well-trained mountain guide who knows the way and has done the route before. A wrong turn or incorrect ledge chosen could have life threatening consequences. Besides the odd cairn there is no obvious trail to follow. To attempt this trail a high level of fitness and scrambling ability will be required as well as a good tolerance regarding exposure to heights. Do not commit your weight to a rock hold or vegetation unless you test it first, rocks here can crumble and break loose, and vegetation might not have roots deep enough to provide you with support. Heed the warning and rather give this one a skip. If you are determined to attempt it, do as I did and join the MCSA Stellenbosch Faction or Comehike Club as it may form part of their yearly itinerary, secure your spot early as this is the only way to obtain the correct permissions and it is by far the safest option to attempt this route. My sincere thanks to Paul Verhoeven of the Stellenbosch MCSA section and Comehike leader Trevor Rennison for organizing and leading this outing. It was truly one of those adventures that I wont soon forget.

The Stellenbosch or Jonkershoek Pieke, or Twins feature in some of my earliest memories of visiting Stellenbosch, even well before my student days I remember looking up at these giant spires of jagged, sheer rock and wondering how on earth one would even attempt to get up there. As I further developed my interest in hiking and mountaineering in Stellenbosch as a student it quickly became clear to me that the mountains of Jonkershoek were on a scale far greater than that of the more familiar Table Mountain, and they were far steeper, more exposed, jagged and unforgiving when compared to the lush and comparatively gentle sloping Outeniqua range which had been my status quo mountain image growing up. Whether consciously or subconsciously done, a decision was made that at some point in my life I would climb the Twins. Naturally the opportunity didn’t arise for quite some time, an important submission in my undergraduate third year meant I had to miss a BTK (Berg en Toer Klub) uitstap attempt of the Pieke, and for the next few years similar circumstances prevented me from attempting. With that said, events in life often seem to happen as and when they should and had I attempted them sooner I may not have had the fitness or experience required to stick it out. Then in late 2023 published in Comehike’s annual itinerary stood the Jonkershoek Twins overnight with Trevor and the MCSA, rated as 4D (A high level of fitness required and a lot of scrambling and exposure). I bookmarked the hike and by the time I made contact in early January of 2024 I was a little late and had to be put on the waiting list, it seemed almost like the Twins were rejecting my application once again, but then finally! Good news arrived; I would be able to join with a spot for a friend who wasn’t able to make it in the end due to work commitments.

The day began on Saturday January 20th 2024 with an early meetup in the Jonkershoek Reserve parking area where the two clubs gathered with their overnight packs to sign paperwork and pay their fees to begin the hike. My pack was heavier than I hoped as I had to carry everything myself, no partner or buddy to split items with. Even before starting at 08:30 the temperature was already uncomfortably warm and Stellenbosch was predicted to reach 38C+ later in the day so steady climbing up to the Sentrale Kloof up the Yellowwood paths was done at a slow pace taking any possible stops in what little shade was on offer. Eventually, by around 10:30, after two hours of slog in the baking sun the group reached the shady sanctuary of the Sentrale Kloof. Here the trees are tall and the canopy provides ample shade. To add the stream was cool and running well near the contour road. The only challenge in the kloof is that it ascends rather steeply with no obvious path, over large rocks and through thicker forest vegetation. Branches, logs and foliage becomes a challenge here but its well worth the shade it provides. Some sections here are quite the scramble and a climb but it can be done, one will only have to remove backpacks on the odd occasion, if at all. After a sustained climb the stream began to diminish to a mere trickle and our experienced leaders made the call that this was very likely to be our last water for the day as the dry January conditions may not provide water at the Paddagat camp area above. This was our planned evening’s destination near the top and for all we knew it could’ve been dry. The call was to fill to capacity and ration water which would prove to be extremely tough in such oppressing heat. After filling and continuing up the Sentrale Kloof the canopy above began to diminish slightly and then it began to subside altogether, we were out of the comfort of the shade and the sun was facing into the kloof with its full force. To add to this we found ourselves traversing a large and freshly fallen rock scree (from left to right) which proved challenging with all the loose boulders reflecting heat back up at us. Conditions aside this is an amazing place, the sheer walls of rock surrounding you are impressive, and one feels incredibly small surrounded by this kind of scale. Once the right or South side of the scree is reached the trail follows a westerly direction up a steep ledge with the cliff developing prominently beside you as you ascend. I found this section facing the baking sun to be quite unbearable, the heat, steepness and the need to ration liquids started a chain of muscle cramps which only improved much later after taking magnesium supplements and Rennies to replace electrolytes. The ledge turns and eventually forces you Southwards , here there is a small overhang cave which can provide some shade, unfortunately it wasn’t enough for our entire group. Rounding the corner is the infamous Sentrale Kloof gully where the day’s real scrambling section begins. Heading Eastward up the gully the pace is slow and careful climbing is required to safely ascend, this is one of the steepest sections of the day by far. Ropes can be used if needed to pull packs up but most of us managed fine without. At the top of the gully there is an outcrop to rest on. Thereafter the ledge path moves down a little before rising steeply up again on a slope covered in vegetation. After this climb its down slightly once again before another steep ascent. At the top of this next section the ledge path levels slightly, a larger overhang cave is reached shortly thereafter, this is the ideal place for a shade break. The ledge continues in a somewhat level fashion and then proceeds gradually upward for a while after the cave but the ledge does narrow in some sections and the drops are sheer making this section challenging, there is one rock obstacle which requires nerves to climb over, careful footing will be required here. Thereafter it’s the final steep scramble up to the saddle separating the two twins. Once the saddle was reached it was a moment of celebration as the serious hard work for the day was done and the last hour had been in some much-needed shade. After a second wind of energy and slightly cooler afternoon temperatures, altitude assisting here, some in the group opted to ascend the higher Southern summit of the Twins. At 1493.8 meters above sea level the views from the South Summit over the low-lying lands of the Cape are incredible, some sources incorrectly list the North summit as higher, but you can clearly see it a few meters below you when standing on the Southern Peak. In perfectly clear conditions views North all the way to the Clanwilliam Cederberg area can be spotted. Du Toits Peak at 1994m can be seen clearly and appears significantly higher to the North East. Table Mountain seen way down below over Stellenboschberg 1175m puts the height difference into perspective. Rifberg and the Katedraal slightly higher than the twins are imposing sights to the Southeast, while Haelkop clearly lower in elevation from this vantage point is to the South West. Simonsberg stands alone with the cliffs of the North Peak in the foreground. Near to sunset the low cloud or mist gathered all around and many of the Cape’s peaks appeared as islands in a white sea. Kogelberg and Steenbras Peak stood alone like islands as did much of the higher points of the Cape Peninsula. There is even a sightline through to Babylonstoor above Hemel en Aarde Valley in Hermanus. Duinfonteinberg above Gaansbaai and the coastal strip leading to Danger Point (The wreck site of the Birkenhead) can be spotted through a gap in the mountains. Victoria Peak, Sneeukop and Dwarsberg appear slightly higher to the South while the top of the Kurktrekkernek is clearly visible far below along with the entire Jonekershoek reserve. Truly worth all the slog for this rooftop view over the Cape. After spending ample time at the summit and signing the visitor’s booklet the group headed back to the saddle and further down to the level ground of the Paddagat camp area where others who opted out of visiting the summit were setting up camp. As suspected, there was no water nearby but some scouts reported a small pool of water about half a kilometer down the slope. After a cool, clear and windless evening sunrise began the packing process, some opted to go up the summit for sunrise views but I was part of the group eager to descend and find quality drinking water and I had already visited the summit the day before. The hike leaders made the decision that the group would descend via Langrivierkloof to reach water as soon as possible because another warm day was on the cards and reserves were almost depleted. The alternative descent option via Nerinakloof would be less steep but it would take longer to reach water so that was given up in favour of Langrivierkloof. Cairns and a faint path marked the way to the top of Langrivierkloof. Most who climb the Twins do so using the “via normale route” or up Langrivierkloof and down Nerinakloof. The result being fairly well-established pathways and cairns, this made getting to the top of Langrivierkloof fairly straightforward with the help of GPS after photography and other business separated me from the leaders. I caught up with them whilst they were having a break on the Langrivierkloof Saddle. At the saddle the low mist below covered the floor of the Jonkershoek valley, the Rifberg and Katedraal towered above the layer of cloud, quite the sight while steeply descending. After the winding of the indistinct Langrivier path the forest line was reached and a short way down a river running strongly was most welcomed for the clean, fresh water it provided. After breakfast it was navigating under the canopy until a contour path to the right was followed. This soon became a jeep track; it was followed all the way down to about mid-way up the Yellowwood path which was taken all the way back downhill to the Jonkershoek gate. After a cold beverage at the coffee shop the group began parting ways. Mixed emotions were the theme of the afternoon. On one hand everyone was glad to be out of the sun, hydrated and soon off to the comforts of home. On the other hand, leaving the group, adventure and the mountains behind is always a little bittersweet. Personally, I was ready to relax and recover but I left Jonkershoek with a totally new perspective and a sense of achievement. I highly recommend this experience but only to the fit and able who attempt it correctly following this writeup’s opening lines. Enjoy it, be safe in the mountains and play your part to keep this natural heritage in pristine condition.