Stellenboschberg to Assegaaibosch

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

This is a challenging route and a certain amount of fitness is required to complete this in its entirety. Take enough food and water as the streams on the mountain are not always running.

Starting just above the Paradyskloof suburb of Stellenbosch, this trail goes straight up the very challenging slopes of Stellenbosch Mountain. The climb is long and unrelenting but rewards runners with spectacular views over False Bay and the winelands. There are sections which require scrambling and a steady foot.

Once you reach the "top", which is essentially a gully between Haelkop and the Stellenbosch Mountain Summit, you begin the equally technical, but more gradual descent to Assegaaibosch. The descent requires you to stay focused as there are many loose rocks, but the trip down is absolutely spectacular. The views into the Jonkershoek Valley are amazing.

Abundant fynbos and birding. Keep an eye out for baboons on the peaks.