Hiking at Tweede Waterval -Jonkershoek (Stellenbosch)

Entry Fee: R50 pp

Where: Jonkershoek Nature Reserve

Recommended: Car with high clearance (to get to the start of the hike)

It’s about a 5km walk to the start of the trail, and the trail itself 6km, so if you don’t drive in, you 

will be walking a total of about 11 kms.

Time: Reserve opens at 8am

Jonkershoek is one of four nature reserves that form part of the greater Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve – a World Heritage Site.  To say that the Reserve is beautiful is such an understatement... its way more than beautiful, it actually leaves one at peace, when you leave... you feel calm, and the greenery is so beautiful, we even came across a mountain slope covered in Proteas... yes, and entire mountain slope! 

  

So this past Saturday, some campus friends and I decided we would take on Tweede Water Val Jonkershoek (Stellenbosch) for a catch-up session and hiking/ outdoor time. And I should mention, I haven’t been that active in a while, but I found the hike so refreshing and energy boosting! The weather was absolutely perfect, not cold but a bit of mist / fog and that’s how it was most of our hike, until we returned and on our way back, the sun came out - `sjoe`- be sure to pack some suntan lotion.

Special thanks and mention to our leader and hiking ace - Jacques Marais follow him on Insta (#grootseun86), who lead us on this hike and really inspired and motivated us to keep on going. There were times when the hike really got intense, and Jacques told us `just another 10 minutes, and we will be there`, but meanwhile we were actually in almost 4 hours... takes a true leader to not give up, even in tough times. 

Personally, the hike is not recommended to unfit people, but you don`t really need to be a pro-hiker to get started and complete it.  On a fitness level you need to at least be a 6/10 to at least reach the first waterfall.  To get to the second waterfall, takes some rock jumping, and climbing over so huge stones, so be prepared.  

We took about two official breaks one at some very huge stones on the side of the river bank, and myself and Bianca even had a few sips of the mountain water, it tasted so nice! It’s really something I can’t explain you just have to go and experience it for yourself.  Then our second break took place at the first `Water Val`.  As it has not rained in the past few weeks, the waterfall had some water but not much, although we witnessed some crowds cooling off in the pool at the bottom of the waterfall.  After our break we continued on the trail and onwards towards the second waterfall. 

As mentioned before, the second waterfall is the more active one, hidden in `another` world, behind some huge rocks /stones and quite a bit of rock jumping... But the push was so worth it. Not only did we enjoy the entire hike, but the final payoff of reaching the `tweede water Val` was so worth it.

So if you do decide to take on this hike, please let me know how it went and don’t forget to follow #grootseun86 for more cool spots and adventures!

Signing out

Nadz...