Perdekop Loop - (Mont Rochelle NR - Franschhoek)

Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve at the top of the Franschhoek Pass is always a great day in the mountains no matter which trail you choose to do. On a clear day the views in all directions are truly spectacular. The fact that one drives up the pass to park at the top next to the trails office means that you start all of the trails here at +- 750 meters above sea level, views are rewarding right from the start. The Perdekop loop or Perdekop trail starts after paying an entrance fee to the Nature Reserve (R70 per person at the time of writing, as they are a private reserve, wildcard holders will still have to pay, this however is very fair considering how well managed this reserve and its trails are). Starting out the trail splits off the main jeep track very early on with a clear sign showing the way to Perdekop. There is a somewhat steep descent down to the river below before crossing a bridge and then the long relatively steep ascent begins. The trail winds up along a protea covered ridgeline and at this point Perdekop's summit is far out of sight. As one ascends the views keep getting more and more inspiring. Mont Rochelle is a unique location in that it offers a perfect sightline through to Table Mountain and Lions Head through a gap between the Groot Drakenstein's Hutchinson's Peak, and Simonsberg. This sightline comes into view after a short gain in altitude and gets ever more pronounced all the way up to the summit and on the descent (the 5th Photo of this trail taken at 10X zoom when zoomed further one can see the larger buildings in the Cape Town CBD). After a about 300m of ascent the trail does become less steep although the uphill climb still has a long way to go. After climbing gradually one eventually reaches a plateau of sorts and the summit of Perdekop comes into view in the distance. After a brief descent the intersection near a river which had fresh clean running water will be passed on route to the summit, thereafter its a short but rather easy push to the top. From the 1575m above sea level beacon at the summit the views are truly amazing. To the West, the sightline through to Table Mountain with Devils peak in the foreground between Simonsberg and Hutchinson's peak is at its most defined, Constantiaberg's summit becomes visable over the Groot Drakenstein Range. To the North the skyline is dominated by the much higher peaks of the Hawequa Nature Reserve like Wemershoek Peak above Wemershoek Dam and the Goudini Sneeukop. To the East over the South slopes of Stettyn's Peak there is a sightline to Middelrivierberg and Leeurivierberg near Swellendam, the Stettynskloof dam right below. To the South Adolfskop, Babylonstooring (Near Hermanus), Theewaterskloof Dam, the Wind turbines near Caledon, and even a small slither of ocean in the Betty's Bay/Kleinmond area can be seen. Truly a panorama of the Cape from Perdekop's summit. After taking a well deserved break and enjoying the views one follows the path back the same way until the intersection where keeping right will complete the loop and keeping left will head back down the way you ascended. After keeping right at the intersection there is a small stream this is a good place to fill up on water if you are running low. The water quality was excellent in April after some rains. The trail then ascends slightly before gradually heading down over fields of golden Restios. The trail then begins to descend more steeply down to the intersection that leads back down (Left), to the Uitkyk viewpoint (Right), or straight on up the Manganese Trail up to Du Toits Peak. Here one has the option of taking a short detour to Uitkyk lookout, the views on your descent would have been similar if not more spectacular so you wont be missing all that much by giving it a skip. After the intersection its straight down the easy Uitkyk path crossing a bridge or two over streams back to the jeep track. Right before the Offices there is a shortcut to avoid two bends in the Jeep Track. Overall this is a moderately challenging trail for any relatively fit hiker with extremely rewarding views on a clear still day. The path is well defined and well marked, the reserve itself is well managed and is safe with security managing the only entrance in and out. The trail is a long day out so probably not a good idea if you have children or elderly in your hiking party. Be prepared with provisions and sunscreen and something warm at the higher altitudes.