Walking Trails
Explore helderberg on foot
There are eight trails in the Reserve, of which the Brown Route and Baboon Traverse are non-circular. Membership cards are obtainable at the Visitor Centre.
- 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 |
when hiking…
Please treat the mountain with respect and take suitable precautions when hiking:
- Wear suitable footwear. Boots are highly recommended for the longer trails
- Take sufficient water to drink
- Take warm clothing – the weather changes quickly at higher altitudes
- Wear a hat and use sunblock
- Take snacks but please no littering. Bring back your rubbish!
- NO fires under any circumstances
- In case of an unforeseen accident, it is recommended that you do not walk on your own
- Take your cellphone with you and be sure to have the emergency number for Wilderness Search And Rescue with you: +27 (0) 21 937 0300
guided hikes
Join one of our guided hikes and informative day walks.
A legacy of life
The rich natural environment of the Helderberg Nature Reserve is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life.
