Walks, Hikes & Talks
Explore helderberg on foot
Gentle interpretative day and night walks are held frequently throughout the year.
Day and night walks are limited to 25 persons, Cost for Members: Adults R50, scholars R25. Cost for Non-members: Adults R80, scholars R40. Bookings are essential for all walks.
– A completed booking form and proof or payment secures your booking. To obtain this booking form you can either email info@helderbergnaturereserve.co.za or download it here or from our Facebook page.
– Then email the completed form and proof of payment to info@helderbergnaturereserve.co.za before 10h00 on Fridays to enable processing and emailing of necessary tickets.
– On receipt of email we book your places and email your tickets back to you. Booking well ahead makes sure you get places for the walks, because many of them get booked up very quickly.
These walks are led by very experienced guides: Charles Britz (bird walks) and Andreas Groenewald (all other walks). Walks usually last around three hours, so bring water and snacks as required.
Interpretative walks tend to be slow strolls from one item of interest to another and are not strenuous. Children and grandchildren are very welcome, in fact encouraged to come! Shoes that have a good grip, as well as plenty of water and some snacks will enhance your walk! Finally, if you are going on night walks you will need torches and warm clothing.
The walks depend on the weather, so walks are occasionally cancelled. If the weather is inclement, you will be notified by phone on the day, usually. You are then entitled to book, via email, another upcoming walk without further payment. Of if preferred, you can apply via email to get your cash back at the Visitors Centre (as a small agency we cannot reverse credit card payments).
Calendar
Hikes
PLEASE NOTE: These guided hikes are hosted on behalf of the Friends of the Helderberg Nature Reserve.
THESE WALKS ARE FREE and are open to anyone. You do not have to book to attend. Meet at Visitor Centre at 08h00. There will be two groups – one for the fit folks and another at a more moderate pace!
| Date | Trail | Grade | Start | Time |
| To be advised | 6+ hrs |
See trail & grading info lower down on this page
DAY WALKS
| Date | Walk | Time | Meet | ||
| To be advised |
– All Day Walks require pre booking at info@helderbergnaturereserve.co.za
*This is a longer slow walk past proteas and then up to the Gorge where there are many interesting trees
Sunset Walks
| Date | Walk | Time | Meet | |
| To be advised |
– Bring your own picnic/snacks (enough to be able to carry)
NIGHT walks
| Date | Walk | Time | Meet | |
| To be advised |
TALKS
These Saturday monthly talks are sponsored by the Friends at the Helderberg Environmental Centre at 14h30. There is no charge but donations to the various featured organisations would be appreciated. Bookings are not required.
About the speakers:
Pieter Cordier is a photo lithographer and printer, with too much free time, for his full-time nurse wife’s liking! After relocating from the Northwest Province in 2022 to the Western Cape, his wife got him into hiking, as she was scared that he would become bored sitting part-time at home. Pieter’s passion is big game wildlife photography, but the Western Cape has very little big game wildlife on offer! At first Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Intaka Island offered some relief in the form of bird and flower photography. Then gradually he discovered many of the beautiful landscapes, beaches, trails, mountains and waterfalls of our beautiful Cape…
Jean Tresfon is an award-winning photographer who is passionate about wildlife, including our oceans. He is especially interested in how we can ensure the sustainability of our magnificent coastal areas.
Steve Chadwick’s fourth book was the result of eight years of research, resulting in a comprehensive historical guide to the mountains that surround the Hottentot Holland basin. He ‘was’ an accomplished mountaineer in some of the world’s very remote places and has lost many friends in the pursuit of these ‘high’ places. He is now older, but seemingly no wiser! He is introduced by mountain lover and adventurer Wouter van Heaver.
Brett Wood & Corrie van Niekerk are two exceptional hill runners who are carrying the baton of extreme hill running to new heights.
| Date | Topic | Speaker |
| Saturday 12 July | Transforming from a Wildlife photographer to a landscape photographer | Pieter Cordier |
| Saturday 19 July | A virtual trip above and below our oceans | Jean Tresfon |
| Saturday 16 August | A life lost on Sneeukop: How Maclear proved or disproved the earth to be “pear-shaped” | Steve Chadwick |
| Saturday 20 September | Running the Hottentots Holland Rim | Brett Wood & Corrie van Niekerk |
- The Pink (West Peak and The Dome) goes to the top of the Helderberg Mountain which is outside the Reserve and for experienced hikers only.
- The Green (Woodies Walk) is also outside the Reserve.
- The Brown (Watsonia) is the only non-circular route.
- The Orange (Baboon Traverse) is a new section of trail linking Watsonia, West Peak and The Dome via Porcupine Buttress.
- The Purple (Waboom Trail) is a pleasant hike trail from low on Watsonia to Disa Gorge
| Trail | Colour | Grade | Est duration | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baboon Traverse | Orange | 1A | 10 minutes | 400m |
| Sugarbird Walk | Yellow | 1A | 45 minutes | 2.9km |
| Watsonia | Brown | 2A | 3 hours + break | 4km |
| Caracal | Black | 1B | 1 hour + break | 4.4km |
| Protea | Blue | 2A | 2 hours + break | 6.2km |
| Leopard Loop | Red | 2B | 3 hours + break | 8.2km |
| Woodies Walk | Green | 2B | 5 hours + break | 5 hours |
| West Peak | Pink | 3C | 7 hours + break | 7 hours |
| The Dome | Pink | 3C | 8 hours + break | 8 hours |
| Waboom Trail | Purple | 2B | 4.5 hours + break | 7km |
Grading
| 1 Easy | Easy walking on an established path with a relatively smooth surface. |
| 2 Moderate | Walking on a path, frequently rocky, with occasional use of hands required (easy scrambling). |
| 3 Strenuous | Walking on or off a path. Frequent use of hands (scrambling) to pull oneself upward. Or steep downhill sections with loose stones. Or hikes where good balance or strong ankles are required. |
| A | No exposure to heights |
| B | Some exposure to heights |
| C | Moderate exposure to heights |
Important information
Booking a walk
It is essential to book attendance on walks at a nominal booking fee, payable in advance. The charge for ALL walks are as follows:
Members:
- Adults R50
- Scholars R25
Non members:
- Adults R80
- Scholars R40
For more information and bookings send an email to the Friends: info@helderbergnaturereserve.co.za.
Weekend walk bookings can only be secured if proof of payments are received by the latest at 12:00 on Fridays. Thursday walk bookings need to be received by the latest at 12:00 the day before (Wednesday).
Once we have received your proof of payment and sent you our confirmation email, your booking will be guaranteed. Please provide your confirmation email to security on the day to avoid paying entrance fees.
Walks are cancelled if less than 5 people are booked. Should a walk have to be cancelled for any reason (e.g. inclement weather), you will be advised. We do not do refunds so please send us an email if you would like to exchange your booking for another walk.
Walks / Leaders
The day and the night walks will usually be led by Andreas Groenewald, while bird walks will usually be led by Jill Mortimer (a member of the Somerset West Bird Club).
Day Walks last about 3 hours and are limited to 10 persons for Bird Walks and 24 persons for the Fynbos/Trees/Plants/Night walks
Walks are not strenuous as they will be in the lower garden of the Reserve. You are nevertheless advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water to drink.
Night Walks
The moon’s phases will vary during these walks, so choose the walk that is closest to what you wish to see. Bring a torch on all night walks.
Night walks will start at 7:00 unless informed otherwise. Meet at the entrance gate to the Reserve. Walks will be in the lower area of The Reserve and are not strenuous. Comfortable walking shoes are advised and most important, participants are asked to bring a hand torch, warm top, water and snack with them.
Sunset Supper Walks
Held on Saturday evenings.
Meet at the Visitor Centre in the Reserve, times vary depending on the season. The walk lasts approximately 4 hours. There will be a gradual climb to the bench on the Caracal Trail, a moderate fitness level is required. Once there, participants will watch the sunset while enjoying a supper (bring your own picnic and hand torch) while taking a closer look at the night sky.
Due to popularity of these Night Walks, it is recommended that you book early.
Guided Hikes
These walks are guided by two experienced hikers. All walks start from the kiosk near the restaurant in the Reserve. No booking, as such, is required.
Appropriate hiking gear is essential, particularly in winter. Guides may refuse to allow persons to join the hike if clothing or footwear are not suitable. It is essential to carry 1-2 litres of water.
Please note: Non-members will need to pay entry fees at the reserve entrance. In the event of bad weather, the walks will be deferred to the following week, starting at the same time as scheduled.
For more information contact: Don Reid 072 270 7972
A legacy of life
The rich natural environment of the Helderberg Nature Reserve is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life.
