Hit your stride on a Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve hiking trail

Hit your stride on a Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve hiking trail

Category Area Focus

If you're a nature lover, nothing quite beats lacing up your boots, spritzing on the sunscreen, and heading out into the outdoors. In Stilbaai, you'll find plenty of opportunities to indulge your passion. The area is surrounded by nature reserves and trails including the Stilbaai Oos Nature Reserve, Geelkrans Provincial Nature Reserve, and the Skulpiesbaai Local Nature Reserve. Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve, however, is a must-visit with gorgeous trails that are sure to take your breath away.

Trails right on your doorstep

Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve is set on the eastern border of the Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve (towards the Stilbaai airfield). You simply need to follow the signage on the way to Kloof industrial area. The nature reserve is less than 10 minutes away from Stilbaai's central area. In fact, there are plenty of properties that border the reserve, giving fortunate homeowners access to the wilderness wonders that await on its trails.

Follow the footsteps of Pauline herself

Curious naturalists may wonder about the name of the reserve as they trudge through its sandy trails. Pauline Bohnen (née Kies) was a South African botanical illustrator and botanist who worked at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, the National Herbarium in Pretoria, and Kew Gardens in London. However, her passion lay in drawing, painting, and recording the plant life of the southern Cape area. She is best known for her two pioneering works, "Flowering Plants of the Southern Cape" and "More Flowering Plants of the Southern Cape". The reserve bearing her namesake was officially proclaimed in 1982.

Routes great for all hiking levels

Whatever your fitness or skill level, Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve offers a fantastic escape for hikers, trail runners, cyclists, or those after a quiet walk. Depending on the route you take, you will enjoy a glorious 4-8 kilometre trek, taking you about two to four hours to complete. Most of the trails are on fairly level ground but if you want a challenge, head to those nearer the river as they are steeper.

The best part about these trails is that no permits are required. You can simply gather your gear and head in. However, where regulations and rules are displayed, kindly follow them to show consideration to the reserve's conservation efforts and other hikers. In order to preserve the reserve's sensitive ecological balance, there are specific trails for "hiking" and for "hiking and biking". 

Scenic sights you'll never forget

The crisp air, sunny sky, and stillness of the landscape are sure to inspire you as you take on a route at Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve. Visitors will delight in views of the ocean and the coast while enjoying the local flora. The area is famous for the limestone fynbos that grows in alkaline soils here unlike most fynbos vegetation of the Cape Floristic Region. Be sure to take in some of the unique plants that thrive here; as near as 2015, a new plant species called Hermannia Angela was discovered in the area. 

Beyond that, there are some decent wildlife sightings. Keep your eyes peeled for grysbok, duiker, or bushbuck as well as a wide range of bird species.

Pack your bags for an adventure

Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve lies close to Stilbaai, so you won't be too far from the town's shops. However, you should still prepare for your journey, especially if you choose the longer routes. Be sure to take snacks, water, a charged cell phone for an emergency, a hat to ward off the sun, and a first-aid kit. Keen birdwatchers should be sure to carry their binoculars and cameras to capture some stellar sightings. As there are beehives in the reserve, it would be wise to stock up on hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion in case you get a sting. You can also add Pauline Bohnen's books to your bag to identify the local plant life - this literature can be easily bought from a bookshop in Stilbaai. 

Connect with nature every day

The power of nature lies in its ability to refresh and reinvigorate you. In Stilbaai, you have your pick whether you're after trips over the Goukou River, a dip in the ocean, or foray into the rustic landscape of Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve. Seeff offers properties for sale in the area, allowing you to take advantage of everything the area has to offer. Contact our team today to find your dream home.

Author: Seeff