Jonkershoek near Stellenbosch

Jonkershoek is one of the Cape Nature reserves in the Western Cape located just outside Steelbosch.   See the Cape Nature website for a brochure with background on Jonkershoek, information on the flora and fauna, a location map and much more.

The descriptions for Jonkershoek are based primarily on translations from Ernst Lotz’s excellent book on Jonkershoek.  Jonkershoek is a wonderful mountain resource, as Ernst’s descriptions so eloquently convey.  

The translation cannot do justice to the lyrical language of the original and may not be entirely accurate.  If there is any doubt, the original Afrikaans text must of course be taken as definitive. A copy of the original Afrikaans and translated versions are available together with a selection of maps.  See the attachment list below.

Besides the detailed contour maps, there is also a useful sketch map giving an overview of the valley. Knowing all the peaks on both sides is a key piece of "Jonkers-lore"!  The OSM map is also a useful adjunct as it has most paths and routes marked. 

And All Trails lists a number of additional trails that are not listed here in Mountain Meanders, or in Ernest Lot'z book. 

Note: The Circular Road which is described as a starting point for many of the climbs was closed in 2023 and it is unknown if and when it will open. This adds almost 10km to any of the hikes at the head of the valley.