Helderberg Nature Reserve

About Helderberg Nature Reserve

Set on the southern slopes of the Helderberg mountains just 30 minutes from the heart of Cape Town, this 402 hectare reserve in Somerset West is a beautiful escape with breathtaking views, self guided walks, a spectacular bird life and a great spot for picnics.

Did you know? There is an indigenous plant nursery, a plant herbarium and a café that serves light meals, teas and coffee. The picnic area is lovely for sultry days beneath the trees.

What started off as a wild flower garden was then proclaimed a reserve in 1960 to protect important mountain fynbos. Today it preserves the critically endangered Swartland shale renosterveld and Kogelberg sandstone fynbos, vulnerable Cape Winelands shale fynbos and pockets of the least threatened Southern Afro-temperate Forest.

In the Helderberg Nature reserve you can see well over 613 plant species, 13 of which are threatened with extinction, over 170 species of birds, 30 reptile and eight amphibians as well as five hectares of silver trees in the Silverboomkloof section.

There are several walking trails through the reserve, most of them circular. They are so popular that regular walkers make use of an early riser key to allow them access into the Helderberg reserve before opening hours so that they can beat the heat, and enjoy the quiet of the reserve.

Seldom though does the reserve feel crowded and if leaving picnickers behind is your intention then head off along the pink or green routes, which are in the nether reaches of the reserve closest to the mountains.

The hiking routes are colour coded – the pink going to the top of the west peak. The green route also leaves the reserve, but all other trails remain within the boundaries. Whilst quite short individually, hikers combine a couple of routes for a decent 8.3km tramp.

During summer the reserve hosts oudoor music concerts.