Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve
Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve
4.5
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4.5
207 reviews
Excellent
128
Very good
71
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Emarie B
Paarl, South Africa679 contributions
Aug 2020
This is the place to be on a weekend for a good run, walk or cycling in Paarl Mountain. So great to be able to use this mountain, especially now during lockdown in South Africa. This is probably one of the Western Cape's best kept secrets.
Written 8 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
apollomax13
Gardone Riviera, Italy78 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Magic Place ! Second largest Monolith after Red Rock in Australia. Lon g way up on a dirt road. Can climb then up to the top. Extreme steep, good shoes necessary. Stunning 360° viev over Paarl valley.
Written 4 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Selvyn A
Paarl, South Africa4 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
My wife and I took the family young ones on a Hiking trip on and over Paarl mountain. This was one of our best highlights of the year. The scenic route was amazing and it's almost as if you cannot get tired, because the more you want to see the more beautiful the scene across the mountains become.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marilyn25CapeTown
Cape Town143 contributions
Sept 2012 • Family
Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve is 1,910 hectares ofmountain and a plateau of fynbos. There are hiking paths and roads that make it accessible by foor or car. Highlights include the three large granite rocks dotting the peak of the reserve for which the town was named, mountain lakes and the Meulwater Wild Flower Garden which is perfect for picnics. The best views are from Bretagne Rock - on a clear day you can see False Bay and Cape Town's Table Mountain in the distance. None of the hiking trails are too strenuous, For an easy two-hour stroll, try the Circular Route that starts at the Taal Monument.
In the rainy weather, Paarl Rock shines like a grey pearl, hence the name Paarl - Pearl in Dutch.
What a lovely outing and a visit to Paarl itself is well worth it.
In the rainy weather, Paarl Rock shines like a grey pearl, hence the name Paarl - Pearl in Dutch.
What a lovely outing and a visit to Paarl itself is well worth it.
Written 4 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oscar Saunderson
Paarl, South Africa24 contributions
Sept 2019
This is one of the best things to do in Paarl, do it early morning and walk up the rock. There is an old canon in the one rock, which is not safe for children to visit, there is no precaution in terms of barriers or fencing, and is dangerous, but the others are just an awesome experience.
Written 16 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacolien Y
Paarl, South Africa354 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
What a beautiful place... I used to go to this area at least once a week to train in one of the most beautiful and challenging areas that I know. It is sad that it is not possible to really make this a safe place for people walking their dogs, mountain bike riders and joggers. Do not come alone, but make up a group and come and enjoy exceptional views!
Written 4 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andre J
Cape Town Central, South Africa58 contributions
Oct 2013 • Business
The view, the heritage aspect and nature. The area is well maintained and clean. Endless examples of indigenous flora.
Written 11 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irene V
Cape Town, South Africa145 contributions
Jul 2012 • Friends
Paarl Mountain was declared a National Monument in October 1963. Paarl Mountain reaches an altitude of 654 metres above sea level and is especially noted for the three enormous granite rocks known as the Paarl, Bretagne and Gordon Rocks. Their age is estimated at 500 million years and what is visible today has been exposed by erosion. The old cannon which announced the arrival of merchant ships in the Cape can still be seen on Paarl Mountain and is within easy walking distance of the mountain road. The climb up Bretagne Rock is more difficult, but there is a sturdy chain assisting climbers up the last incline. On a clear day the visitor is rewarded with stunning views over False Bay and Table Bay, with Table Mountain and Lion’s Head in the distance. The massive rounded granite rocks are set among ancient wild olives, rock candlewoods and wagon trees which dominate the picturesque landscape with its exquisite fynbos vegetation. A large variety of protea species are found in the reserve. The Meulwater wild flower reserve is directly below the two massive granite rocks where the visitor can get an idea of the impressive variety of plants on Paarl Mountain.
It is always a pleasure to hike in this reserve. (It get very hot here in summer and hiking here on a hot summer day is not recommended).
It is always a pleasure to hike in this reserve. (It get very hot here in summer and hiking here on a hot summer day is not recommended).
Written 14 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emarie B
Paarl, South Africa679 contributions
Mar 2021
A must do over the weekend
No excuses. You can visit this by car, on foot, with a bicycle. Alone or with friends. And the experience will be divine. You and nature, nothing else. Just come...
Enjoy the picturesque landscape of fynbos vegetation dominated by massive rounded granite rock formations set among wild olives, rock candlewoods and wagon trees. Take a vigorous hike, or climb Bretagne Rock, follow one of the many hiking trails, visit Mill water Wild Flower Garden where numerous species of Proteas may be viewed, catch a bass at Nantes dam or enjoy mountain biking, picnics and panoramic views of the Drakenstein valley.
Entry fees Entry is R30 per occupant in a vehicle payable at the reserve’s main gate.
Entry is free during the week.
Buy your map with the mountain’s MTB and hiking routes at the Paarl Visitors Information Centre at R50.
Directions
As you enter Paarl Main Road via the N1 from CT, take a left at the off-ramp. Follow Paarl Main Road, go straight over the first robot and then left at the first road on your left hand side (Jan Phillips Mountain Drive). Follow this road for approximately 6kms until you get to the Meulwater day braai & picnic site. Alternatively, follow the road leading up to the Afrikaans Language Monument (Gabbema Doordrif Road) and take the dirt road turning off to the right (Jan Phillips Mountain Drive) leading past the Amphi theatre, until you reach the Meulwater day braai & picnic site picnic area.
GPS Co-ordinates: Lat: -33° 45′ 27.594″ Long: 18° 56′ 50.3658″
Facility hours
Summer: 07:00 – 19:00 (1 Oct – 31 March)
Winter: 07:00 – 18:00 (1 April – 30 Sept)
Note: No entry is allowed 1 hour before closure times.
Important information
Remember, there are no shops on the reserve, so bring along your own fire wood, grid and supplies. Strictly no dogs or music is allowed in the reserve and day camps. No horse riding facilities available. Only licensed vehicles, no off-road motorbikes and/or quad bikes allowed. No larger than 22 seated busses are allowed. There are no swimming facilities on the reserve. Please help us keep the mountain clean by using available refuge bins.
This is a high fire risk area – STRICTLY NO FIRES in areas other than demarcated braai/camp facilities. Report any fires immediately!
No excuses. You can visit this by car, on foot, with a bicycle. Alone or with friends. And the experience will be divine. You and nature, nothing else. Just come...
Enjoy the picturesque landscape of fynbos vegetation dominated by massive rounded granite rock formations set among wild olives, rock candlewoods and wagon trees. Take a vigorous hike, or climb Bretagne Rock, follow one of the many hiking trails, visit Mill water Wild Flower Garden where numerous species of Proteas may be viewed, catch a bass at Nantes dam or enjoy mountain biking, picnics and panoramic views of the Drakenstein valley.
Entry fees Entry is R30 per occupant in a vehicle payable at the reserve’s main gate.
Entry is free during the week.
Buy your map with the mountain’s MTB and hiking routes at the Paarl Visitors Information Centre at R50.
Directions
As you enter Paarl Main Road via the N1 from CT, take a left at the off-ramp. Follow Paarl Main Road, go straight over the first robot and then left at the first road on your left hand side (Jan Phillips Mountain Drive). Follow this road for approximately 6kms until you get to the Meulwater day braai & picnic site. Alternatively, follow the road leading up to the Afrikaans Language Monument (Gabbema Doordrif Road) and take the dirt road turning off to the right (Jan Phillips Mountain Drive) leading past the Amphi theatre, until you reach the Meulwater day braai & picnic site picnic area.
GPS Co-ordinates: Lat: -33° 45′ 27.594″ Long: 18° 56′ 50.3658″
Facility hours
Summer: 07:00 – 19:00 (1 Oct – 31 March)
Winter: 07:00 – 18:00 (1 April – 30 Sept)
Note: No entry is allowed 1 hour before closure times.
Important information
Remember, there are no shops on the reserve, so bring along your own fire wood, grid and supplies. Strictly no dogs or music is allowed in the reserve and day camps. No horse riding facilities available. Only licensed vehicles, no off-road motorbikes and/or quad bikes allowed. No larger than 22 seated busses are allowed. There are no swimming facilities on the reserve. Please help us keep the mountain clean by using available refuge bins.
This is a high fire risk area – STRICTLY NO FIRES in areas other than demarcated braai/camp facilities. Report any fires immediately!
Written 6 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nienietjies
22 contributions
Feb 2019 • Family
Paarl Mountain Reserve is a place where you can relax, braai or just walk around. Entry is free, no loud music allowed. The place is kept clean, child friendly and safe and it is cool and breezy in summer to sit on our picnic blanket and soak in the clean air.
The bets thing about the place is - the PINE NUTS! their are everywhere for you to just pick up. Their will be a slight breeze and you can just go and pick them up from the ground - fresh from nature! No buying it in a plastic container. My kids didn't know what it was until I demonstrated (with a small rock in hand) how to gently tap them to open it. Now we try and go at least once or twice in summer.
There's a walking trail, a small lake and a waterfall close by (you have to exit the Reserve).
The bets thing about the place is - the PINE NUTS! their are everywhere for you to just pick up. Their will be a slight breeze and you can just go and pick them up from the ground - fresh from nature! No buying it in a plastic container. My kids didn't know what it was until I demonstrated (with a small rock in hand) how to gently tap them to open it. Now we try and go at least once or twice in summer.
There's a walking trail, a small lake and a waterfall close by (you have to exit the Reserve).
Written 24 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, can we walk here with a pram? Thanks
Written 28 April 2019
You certainly can walk with a pram. Just make sure it's a pram with large wheels as tiny wheels may not work. If you stay on the gravel paths and the wider hiking trails it's a yes.
Written 1 August 2019
Is there anywhere to hire mountain bikes and bike the routes?
Written 16 March 2017
Hello, we didn't stay in Paarl but I would be amazed if there was nowhere to hire bikes there. A bike hire place can be found in Franschoek on the main street (if you have a car with a bike rack).
Written 2 May 2017
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