Swartboskloof Trail

The long western climb out of Jonkershoek, gaining over 900 metres in the first four and a half kilometres.

Distance18 km

Duration6 hrs

RouteLoop

TrailheadSwartboskloof and Sosyskloof parking, Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, Stellenbosch

Overview

Swartboskloof is the harder of Jonkershoek’s two mountain days. It climbs the western kloof directly, gaining more than 900 metres in the first four and a half kilometres, before joining the high ground and coming home over Kurktrekkersnek and past the waterfalls.

What makes it a separate outing from the Panorama Circuit is the ascent. Panorama climbs the northern Bergriviernek side; this route goes straight up the kloof, and from the plateau onwards the two share the contour path and the descent.

Highlights

Over 900 metres of ascent in the first 4.5 kilometres.
The steepest sustained climb in the reserve.
Shares its lower kloof with the short Sosyskloof loop.
Descends Kurktrekkersnek past both waterfalls.
Signposted at 18 km.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from the Panorama Circuit?

The ascent. Swartboskloof climbs the western kloof; the Panorama Circuit climbs the northern Bergriviernek side. From the plateau onwards the two share the contour path, the Kurktrekkersnek descent and the waterfall path.

How late can I start?

Entry closes at 10:00 and the reserve gate shuts at 16:00. All visitors must be out of the reserve by 18:00.

How hard is the climb?

It gains more than 900 metres in the first four and a half kilometres, which makes it the steepest sustained ascent in the reserve.

How to Get There

TrailheadSwartboskloof and Sosyskloof parkingJonkershoek Nature Reserve, Stellenbosch

ParkingJonkershoek Nature Reserve lies at the head of the Jonkershoek Valley, roughly nine kilometres from central Stellenbosch along Jonkershoek Road. The signposted Swartboskloof and Sosyskloof parking is four to five kilometres into the reserve.

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