Enjoy the picturesque landscape of fynbos vegetation dominated by massive rounded granite rock formations set among wild olives, rock candlewoods and wagon trees. Take a vigorous hike, or climb Bretagne Rock, follow one of the many hiking trails, visit Mill water Wild Flower Garden where numerous species of Proteas may be viewed, catch a bass at Nantes dam or enjoy mountain biking, picnics and panoramic views of the Drakenstein valley.

New tariffs valid 1 July 2020- 30 June 2021 are as follows: Entrance fee per vehicle during weekends and public holidays is now only R30.00 per occupant per vehicle. However the entrance fee during weekdays remain free. Entrance fee for picnickers at Meulwater campsite and Wildflower Garden remains free throughout the year. The Reserve brochures at R40.00 per copy. Angling permits will now be R40.00 for weekly permits and R93.00 for annual permits. Persons must be in possession of a valid angling license (obtainable separately from CapeNature or the Freshwater. No angling at the Nantes Dam and Bethel dam.

Paarl Mountain Hiking trail map: Buy your map with the mountain’s MTB and hiking routes at the Paarl Visitors Information Centre at R50.

Open – (Mon – Fr | 8am – 5pm & Weekends and Public Holidays 10am – 1pm).

Filming & Sporting events: Enquiries regarding sporting events or film- & still shoot applications can be made to the reserve office or via the Drakenstein Municipality’s Event Committee (contact details at bottom of page). Booking in advance is compulsory.

Directions: As you enter Paarl Main Road via the N1 from CT, take a left at the off-ramp. Follow Paarl Main Road, go straight over the first robot and then left at the first road on your left hand side (Jan Phillips Mountain Drive). Follow this road for approximately 6kms until you get to the Meulwater day braai & picnic site.  Alternatively, follow the road leading up to the Afrikaans Language Monument (Gabbema Doordrif Road) and take the dirt road turning off to the right (Jan Phillips Mountain Drive) leading past the Amphi theatre, until you reach the Meulwater day braai & picnic site picnic area.

GPS Co-ordinates: Lat: -33° 45′ 27.594″ Long: 18° 56′ 50.3658″

Facility hours

Summer: 07:00 – 19:00 (1 Oct – 31 March)
Winter: 07:00 – 18:00 (1 April – 30 Sept)

Note: No entry is allowed 1 hour before closure times.

Important information

Remember, there are no shops on the reserve, so bring along your own firewood, grid and supplies. Strictly no dogs or music is allowed in the reserve and day camps. No horse riding facilities available. Only licensed vehicles, no off-road motorbikes and/or quad bikes allowed. No larger than 22 seated busses are allowed. There are no swimming facilities on the reserve. Please help us keep the mountain clean by using available refuge bins.

This is a high fire risk area – STRICTLY NO FIRES in areas other than demarcated braai/camp facilities. Report any fires immediately!

Reserve contact details

Address: Jan Phillips Mountain Drive, Paarl 7620, Western Cape, South Africa
Nature Conservationist: Mr Lindsay Lewis, 021 807 6231, 073 748 6325, Lindsay.Lewis@drakenstein.gov.za

Other important contacts

Drakenstein Fire Brigade                   Tel +27(0)21 872 1404
Drakenstein Law Enforcement         Tel +27(0)21 807 6472
Drakenstein Events Committee        Tel +27(0)21 807 4641/4558           www.drakenstein.gov.za/events
Paarl Police (SAPS)                              Tel +27(0)21 807 4000
CapeNature                                           Tel +27(0)21 871 1535/6                 www.capenature.co.za
Paarl Tourism Office                           Tel +27(0)21 872 4842                     www.paarlonline.com
Afrikaans Language Monument       Tel +27 (0)21 863 4809/0543/0542  www.taalmuseum.co.za