June 2020

The Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is situated just outside the town of Stellenbosch, in a valley which is lined by the Stellenbosch mountain range on the one side and the Hottentots-Holland mountains on the other. This is a relatively easy hike, and is family friendly. The reserve is run by Cape Nature and a permit will be required to gain access.

Once you’ve signed in and driven through the gate you will follow a dirt road, which is a circular route and leads you back to the main gate. You will pass a dam on your left, and further on signs for the Swartboskloof hike on your right. Roughly 15-20 minutes after you entered the main gate, and just before the turn around, you will see signs for Tweede Waterval on your right. There is limited parking, but if you continue driving over the small bridge you will find additional parking, about 300m from the start of the hike. Please note the road is not the best, so a vehicle with good ground clearance is advised…your low profile tyres and rims will take a beating here.

The hike is mostly flat, but with a gradual incline as you wind your way up from the 1st to 2nd waterfall. My watch registered a distance of 6.7km out and back.  From the car follow the signs to the waterfall. You will walk through the valley, and will be accompanied by the Eerste River on your left, and endless fields of fynbos on your right. Eventually you will come across a split in the path which isn’t marked. If you take the right fork it leads you to Eerste Waterval (1st waterfall), which is about 200-300m from the main path.

If you take the left fork you will continue on to Tweede Waterval (2nd). The route undulates up and down, but with a gradual incline. You will pass sections of the river where you can go down to the waters edge and dip your toes in, or have a small picnic. A little further on you will come to the steep section, between the 2 waterfalls, which will get the heart rate up. Fortunately its only for about 300m and then the path levels out again. There is a wire handrail to assist.

Following that you will arrive at Tweede Waterval, which looks rather unassuming. This is where it gets interesting. To get to the actual waterfall you need to scramble over the boulders in the river bed. Its not as difficult as it looks but you will need to exercise caution. A group of relatively fit yet older ladies where ahead of us, and they managed to navigate their way quite easily. Follow the river for about 300m, and you will come to Tweede Waterval. Its worth the effort!