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Saaltjie Hike - Jonkershoek (Stellenbosch)

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Trail photos

Photo ofSaaltjie Hike - Jonkershoek (Stellenbosch) Photo ofSaaltjie Hike - Jonkershoek (Stellenbosch) Photo ofSaaltjie Hike - Jonkershoek (Stellenbosch)

Author

Chris Eady
4,979 131 2648
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Trail stats

Distance
8.58 mi
Elevation gain
2,346 ft
Technical difficulty
Easy
Elevation loss
2,346 ft
Max elevation
3,020 ft
TrailRank 
70 4.7
Min elevation
889 ft
Trail type
Loop
Moving time
4 hours 14 minutes
Time
6 hours 5 minutes
Coordinates
2495
Uploaded
April 23, 2022
Recorded
April 2022

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  •   4.7 1 review
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near Banghoek, Western Cape (South Africa)

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Trail photos

Photo ofSaaltjie Hike - Jonkershoek (Stellenbosch) Photo ofSaaltjie Hike - Jonkershoek (Stellenbosch) Photo ofSaaltjie Hike - Jonkershoek (Stellenbosch)

Itinerary description

This trail starts and ends at the main entrance to Jonkershoek Nature reserve. It's a great alternative if the parking is full at the Waterfall and Swartboskloof trails. The trail makes its way up to the saddle (Saaltjie) where there is a table/deck. This is a great place to stop for lunch or to observe the Jonkershoek and Banghoek valleys below. The trail isn't an official jonkershoek NR trail and so the trail is poorly marked with many cycling routes crossing the countour paths. One can find a general way up and down but it's not entirely straightforward. As we were pressed for time we took shortcuts through bike trails but I would not recommend that anyone do this as it can be dangerous with fast moving cyclests. Following the long undulating countour paths can get you to the same place albeit a longer route. The views are spectacular and on a busy Saturday in April we were the only ones on the trail so it is not particularly popular and well known compared to other Jonkershoek trails. The fynbos is in recovery after fires and there are signs that the veld is recovering. This trail is relatively easy and there is little to no exposure to heights making it a good longer day hike for beginners.

Waypoints

PictographInformation point Altitude 1,019 ft
Photo ofMap at the entrance

Map at the entrance

The trails map for forestry roads

PictographIntersection Altitude 1,027 ft
Photo ofTurn left at the ou tour

Turn left at the ou tour

Intersection

PictographWaypoint Altitude 1,138 ft
Photo ofLook for the signs, avoid cycling paths

Look for the signs, avoid cycling paths

The way up

PictographLake Altitude 1,191 ft
Photo ofCross the bike path and past the wier

Cross the bike path and past the wier

Ahead on the trail

PictographIntersection Altitude 1,518 ft
Photo ofTurn left to carry on ascending Photo ofTurn left to carry on ascending

Turn left to carry on ascending

Continue with the ascent

PictographWaypoint Altitude 2,079 ft
Photo ofRoad Bench

Road Bench

Bench on the trail

PictographFlora Altitude 2,080 ft
Photo ofYellow Erica Photo ofYellow Erica

Yellow Erica

On side of road

PictographPhoto Altitude 2,312 ft
Photo ofBotmaskop in the distance and Saaltjie Photo ofBotmaskop in the distance and Saaltjie Photo ofBotmaskop in the distance and Saaltjie

Botmaskop in the distance and Saaltjie

Jonkershoek mountains

PictographProvisioning Altitude 2,517 ft
Photo ofDouglas Eason Lederle Memorial Bench Photo ofDouglas Eason Lederle Memorial Bench Photo ofDouglas Eason Lederle Memorial Bench

Douglas Eason Lederle Memorial Bench

The bench on the way up

PictographPhoto Altitude 2,811 ft
Photo ofBanghoek valley coming into view and Simonsberg Photo ofBanghoek valley coming into view and Simonsberg Photo ofBanghoek valley coming into view and Simonsberg

Banghoek valley coming into view and Simonsberg

View east and north

PictographIntersection Altitude 2,972 ft
Photo ofTurn to the observation deck Photo ofTurn to the observation deck

Turn to the observation deck

Left turn

PictographPicnic Altitude 3,006 ft
Photo ofThe bench and observation deck Photo ofThe bench and observation deck Photo ofThe bench and observation deck

The bench and observation deck

Saaltjie

PictographPanorama Altitude 3,012 ft
Photo of360 View from Saaltjie Photo of360 View from Saaltjie Photo of360 View from Saaltjie

360 View from Saaltjie

Panorama

PictographSummit Altitude 3,014 ft
Photo ofBotmaskop And Simonsberg Photo ofBotmaskop And Simonsberg Photo ofBotmaskop And Simonsberg

Botmaskop And Simonsberg

The peaks to the north

PictographFauna Altitude 2,856 ft
Photo ofBrown butterfly

Brown butterfly

Brown with orange

PictographPhoto Altitude 2,780 ft
Photo ofSquare tower peak and Haelkop Photo ofSquare tower peak and Haelkop

Square tower peak and Haelkop

The surrounding peaks to the south and west

PictographSummit Altitude 2,709 ft
Photo ofStellenbosch berg summit and table mountain in the background Photo ofStellenbosch berg summit and table mountain in the background

Stellenbosch berg summit and table mountain in the background

Surrounding summits

PictographFlora Altitude 2,664 ft
Photo ofLillys on the cliff Photo ofLillys on the cliff

Lillys on the cliff

Red lillys high on the cliff face

PictographPhoto Altitude 2,015 ft
Photo ofFallen trees

Fallen trees

Burnt logs

PictographFlora Altitude 1,918 ft
Photo ofWildflower Photo ofWildflower

Wildflower

Growing from a single stem next to the path

PictographPhoto Altitude 1,650 ft
Photo ofTwin Peaks and the Catherdral Photo ofTwin Peaks and the Catherdral

Twin Peaks and the Catherdral

Surrounding peaks

PictographFlora Altitude 1,421 ft
Photo ofFire heath

Fire heath

Next to path

PictographInformation point Altitude 1,240 ft
Photo ofGueinzii point

Gueinzii point

Info about proteas

PictographFountain Altitude 1,086 ft
Photo ofWater resevior

Water resevior

To the right

PictographRiver Altitude 982 ft
Photo ofRiver next to the road

River next to the road

At the entrance and exit

PictographProvisioning Altitude 958 ft
Photo ofCoffee shop at the entrance and exit

Coffee shop at the entrance and exit

Check hours

PictographWaypoint Altitude 952 ft
Photo ofBathrooms at entrance and exit

Bathrooms at entrance and exit

Good to know

Comments  (1)

  • Photo of Maxime Yates
    Maxime Yates Apr 24, 2022

    I have followed this trail  View more

    Loved the viewpoint at Saaltjie, trail isn't all that straightforward

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