View of Simonsberg from the start of the trail to Twede Kruis

Link to detailed route page and map click on route title [route-snippet id=”1107″ featured=”image”]We have great views of the Simonsberg reserve from our home and last week I got it in my head that it would be good if we could find a hike up to one of the summits in the range. Lots of searching on the web but so far no convincing results, I think there may have been a trail about 10 years ago… So time for plan B. In my searching I found reference to a hike up Stellenbosch Peak and so we decided to give it a go on our next ‘windless’ day.

The University has put in a good path, from a parking area by Eeerste River, to the top of Twede Kruis where there is a cross and small radio mast. This part of the trail is well used which is good to see and gets you up high enough to see the sea at False Bay, Table Mountain as well as nearer landmarks around Stellenbosch. Found a rocky outcrop just below the cross with some shade for some tea and rusks and a good view of the mountain we still had to climb.

Working my way up!

The path basically then heads straight up the ridge line with a lot of intermediate small summits until you reach the main summit. This makes the hike interesting with some great rock formations(Jacqui holding up some big boulders a favourite), lots of places to look at the vista with views to Somerset West and beyond opening up as you gain height. One of my favourite memories is looking across the Cape Flats to see the sea on both sides of the Cape Peninsula in hazy sunshine. We took our time on the way up looking at the flowers, views and taking photos. The path is rugged and steep in places and there are lots of little side paths that have been created through use over the years, however, heading up takes you to the summit (eventually!).

We didn’t stop at the first summit (Stellenbosch Mountain) as we also wanted to climb the second peak (Hottentots-Holland Mountain) which we scrambled up to over some large boulders. This made a perfect lunch spot and we decided we would continue on the path towards Jonkershoek to do a loop rather than head back down the way we had come.
Had thought that with recent rains we might find springs on the mountain, so we had only brought 3 litres of water between us which was not really enough. We thought that the trail to Jonkershoek would be shorter than the way up but on reflection, because of all the switchbacks, I don’t think it was. Definitely not when you add in a 4+km hike down the road to get back to the car! The path down started out really nicely, very easy to follow and a good surface. About a third of the way down it became much rockier and we both needed to concentrate hard on our footing. After a while the gradient eased and the path improved – by this  time I was dreaming about paddling my feet in the Eerste River. Bliss.
My next dream was a large pot of tea at the Ride In Cafe, on the Jonkershoek Road. We got there in time, just, for tea and muffins (the kitchen had already closed) and relaxed in the gardens looking up and where we had been a few hours earlier.
All in all a great hike, but harder than we thought it would be probably because the path was quite rugged in places. The views were outstanding and it was lovely to see peaks we have climbed from a different perspective. Lots of spring flowers were out and it is a hike we will do again.