Helderberg Nature Reserve
Visitors in the mood to experience the beauty of Somerset West should visit the Helderberg Nature Reserve. It is home to stunning gardens and nature scenes, with a cute little duck pond and along the boardwalk. Walking trails are located entirely within the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, which protects what is probably the most species rich floral area in the world.
To get an idea of the diversity of flowering plants found here, the reserve has more than double the species of flowerIng plants found on the British Isles, and you’ll find a few indigenous fynbos species and other beautiful flowers..
Woody's Walk is a morning's hike in the Helderberg Nature Reserve in Somerset West that heads up into the cool Disa Gorge - where you can fill your water bottle in a cold mountain stream - and along the base of the rock cliffs of West Point. You're rewarded with magnificent views out over the Helderberg and across False Bay.
There are also a few colour-coded walks, from 2 to 10 kilometres on the lower slopes in the Helderberg Nature Reserve.
But there’s a pink route up the West Peak that you should look out for. At the foot of the peak, the path zigzags up to a prominent ridge (not leading directly to the summit), ascends the ridge crest for about half its height, then traverses around to the right into the main gully to access the upper reaches of the mountain.
It’s a strenuous hike and not recommended if you fear heights. However, the summit offers spectacular views of the winelands and False Bay.