Hiking Trails
Network of over 14km of trails to be explored
Access for hiking at Phillipskop is a privilege for those who stay in our overnight accommodation or support our conservation work by becoming Friends of Phillipskop.
4km, ±100m ascent
- Easy hike mostly along a level jeep track
- Winds around the east of Phillipskop into the beautiful Candlewood Valley
- Picnic table under a shady Rock Candlewood
- Short steep ascent up to waterfall and Phillipskop Cave
- Phillipskop Cave, a proclaimed Heritage Site, with Khoe-San rock art
- Combine with Rock Stack Trail for round trip
4km, ±250m ascent
- Visit our striking rock stacks, David & Goliath
- Steep start but then undulates around the side of Phillipskop
- Fabulous views of Candlewood Valley
- Lovely stream for picnic at Rock Stacks
- View the Hidden Valley where the Black Eagles nest
- Can continue on round Phillipskop to join the Saddle Trail or go back and join the Candlewood Trail for a round trip
4km, ±400m ascent
- Shortest route to the summit of Phillipskop
- Beautiful expanses of Featherbush Protea line the path in summer
- White King Proteas flower here in winter
- Far-reaching views from the top reward the stiff climb
- Can return same way or continue on around the mountain for a circular route
6km, ±500m ascent
- From the Saddle hike to the main ridge of the Klein River Mountains
- Visit the highest point on Phillipskop Mountain Reserve, Haarkapper Peak
- At 575m, it is 88m above the summit of Phillipskop
- 360° views: Klein River Mountain range east and west, north Riviersonderend Mountains and south towards Gansbaai
4km, ±200m ascent
- Extensive views over the valley to Stanford and Akkedisberg, but without much climbing
- Path contours around the front of the mountain
- Stop for a snack at Breakfast Rock or sundowners at Lookout Rock
- Detour via Fortress Rock, for best view of Candlewood Valley and the Rock Stacks beyond
- Place a stone on our Cairn of Thankfulness Ebenezer Koppie
- Best chance to spot Cape Rockjumper along this trail
500m, ±180m ascent
- Adventurous route to the summit of Phillipskop
- Begins in the Hidden Valley at the back of Phillipskop
- Zig-zags up through the rocky cliffs of Eagle Crags
- Easy route but some sections with exposure and classified as a low-level scramble
- Some ropes to help on the trickier bits but it does not require any rock climbing skill
8.5km, ±670m ascent
- Combine the above walks into the ultimate challenge of exploring Phillipskop in one day
- The route is the most efficient order to summit each of the three high points at Phillipskop with the minimum of repetition
12.8km, ±770m ascent
- Longer day trail over the mountain to Tesselaarsdal and back again
- Route crosses neighbouring land, for which a separate permit is needed
- Please see the separate page for information and how to purchase permits
A larger version of our map can be downloaded for printing at home (2.6Mb).