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.

Entry fees (1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020)
Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve is open throughout the year, including weekends and public holidays.
Entry is R30 per occupant in a vehicle payable at the reserve’s main gate.
Entry is free during the week.

Routes / 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).

Angling

Both a Provincial Angling Licence (obtainable from CapeNature or the Post Office), as well as a Fishing Permit (obtainable from Drakenstein Municipal offices Monday – Friday 08:00 – 17:00 or at the main gate over weekends/public holidays during facility hours), are required for fishing in the reserve’s dams. Weekly permits are R40.00 and an annual permit R95.00.

Bethel dam is closed for fishing until further notice.

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 fire wood, 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