Mont Rochelle is a private nature reserve in the mountains above the well-known winelands town of Franschhoek. It forms part of the UNESCO-declared Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve and hosts magnificent fynbos species, including the very special Queen Protea (Protea Magnifica).

The entrance to the reserve is situated on the Franschhoek pass, already at an elevation of about 700m above sea-level, (in comparison to the highest point on Table Mountain being 1083m), which must make this one of the most accessible ways to summit some of the high peaks in the Boland in the Western Cape of South Africa.

The reserve borders the Cape Nature managed Hawequas Nature Reserve and Wemmershoek dam mountain catchment area, and the Uitkyk viewpoint offers probably the most dramatic view of Cape Mountain scenery, with majestic peaks, steep cliff faces and the dam in the distance, in the Boland.

This hike ascends the relatively steep ridgeline above Perdekloof across exquisite, dense fynbos fields to conquer the summit of Perdekop at 1575 m above sea level, where a well-deserved early lunch-break will be taken. The views across the Wemmershoek peaks and Stettynskloof dam are mind boggling. After lunch we continue towards the Uitkyk viewpoint as the drama in scenery increases, passing king and queen proteas.

Uitkyk viewpoint must be the best mountain tea-break spot there is, overlooking the Wemmershoek dam, rugged cliffs and highest peaks of the Wemmershoek mountains. After our afternoon tea-break we continue back down to the gate on a gently sloping decent.

• DISTANCE - 13.4 km

• ELEVATION GAIN - 955 m

• DIFFICULTY LEVEL - 3A - Strenuous full-day on-trail hike, no exposure and no use of hands required

• DURATION - Up to 8 hours is the standard duration for this hike

• LOCATION - Franschhoek, South Africa

This hike can be booked as a PRIVATE GUIDED HIKE, find the price list HERE