Heuningberg Nature Reserve

Heuningberg Nature Reserve

If you are in pursuit of the Bredasdorp Lily then a trip to the Heuningberg Nature Reserve, set on the slopes of Heuningberg (Honey Mountain) south east of Bredasdorp, is a good place to start, particularly as the core of the reserve started its life as a wildflower garden. Today the over 800 hectare nature reserve boasts over 300 plant species as well as more than a few endemics including the trident pincushion and the red Bredasdorp lily, which bursts into flower in March and April every year.

There are two hiking trails in the reserve, both with rather humdrum names: the white and yellow routes. However, that is where boring ends, as the white trail, which includes the amazing Lot’s Wife rock formation on Heuningberg, winds along the slopes of the Drinkwaterkloof to the watershed, after which it continues above Uitvlugkloof before meeting up with the yellow route.

The yellow route contours around the northern slopes of Heuningberg to yet another rock formation, the Pulpit rock, followed by an ascent to the plateau. Both trails offer incredible views not only across Bredasdorp but also of Arniston, De Hoop Nature Reserve and south to Struisbaai.

The pretty town of Bredasdorp lies some 40 kilometres from L’Agulhas, the most southern point in Africa. Apart from being a good base from which to explore De Hoop Nature Reserve and Heuningberg nature reserves, it is also one of many towns in South Africa that has been ‘discovered’, which means that a number of foreigners and former city dwellers have made Bredasdorp home, and, in turn, have infused the town with a certain ‘quaintness’ that makes it well worth a stopover.