Paarl rocks

Granite expectations with Hi-Tec in the Boland

Paarl, the birthplace of Afrikaans, a Mecca for shiraz aficionados, and a playground for nature lovers. This quintessential winelands town was named after its mountain reserve, but more specifically Paarl Rock itself.

The huge granite rock is formed by three rounded outcrops that make up Paarl Mountain and is the second largest granite outcrop in the world. Paarl meaning ‘pearl’ was so named for the pearlescent glitter of wet granite after the rains.

Moon walk

It’s not raining today, no; the Boland oven is turned on high. We’ve come prepared—short-shorts, peak caps and our V-Lite Altitude Ultra Luxe WPi Hi-Tecs, which are very much needed to scale Bretagna Rock.

Pockmarked with craters like an earthbound moon the granite surface has an alien glitter to it. It really does feel other-worldly; with the indigo skyrocketing above and the Drakensberg Mountains like a hologram in the hazy distance.

 What to bring

• Hat, sunblock, water. You’re at the mercy of the elements here, exposed on a large granite rock. Screw your hat on tight; generous wind gusts can see you making unintentional offerings.
• Hiking shoes, the walk is an upward slope, on rock. You’ll need shoes with grip.
• Picnic; find a crater to call your own.
• Money, there’s a botanical garden in the reserve should you wish for a frolic in the flowers.
• Camera, the alien landscape affords unique photographic opportunities
• Children from walking age up.

Route: Bretagna Rock
Moderate

There’s only one way up. Enter the reserve and drive straight to the top, you can’t miss this giant granite outcrop. There’s a bathroom at the start, a rather rustic one, but what a view...

The walk begins on a recycled plastic path, very much resembling wooden slats—just a bit bouncier. The path splits at the end point; in one direction the glinting rock face, and in the other, a shady path stitched with trees.

The walk is straight forward and entails: a steep-ish incline up to the chains, from here you grab on tight and pull yourself up the rest of the way. It’s not as extreme as it sounds; in fact it’s quite easy. We even spotted an elderly group making their way up.

On a clear day, you can see Table Mountain from the top as well as the deep blue of the surrounding dams.

Duration: 30 minutes to an hour depending on fitness levels and if you decide to picnic in a crater.

There’s a lot more to see and do

There’s a certain magic about this reserve, still quite untouched by herds of feet. You can take a drive to the Taal Monument (a sculpture built in commemoration of the Afrikaans language), and hike the mountain from there. Traipse in the botanical gardens, find a rock to sit on and admire Paarl below, or have a braai at Krismis Kamp.

What to look out for

Fauna: We saw a baboon on our walk, quite an unusual sighting for this part of the world. Also keep an eye out for birds of prey and many a scuttling lizard.

Flora: wild olive, wagon trees and a variety of Boland fynbos

Trivia: Interestingly, what makes Paarl so suited to shiraz production is the granite rich soil.

Words and photographs by Malu Lambert

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New place in Stellenbosch: Built on beer and ice-cream: Wingerd Vista.

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