By Vicky · Published Jan. 27th, 2026
When you buy through links highlighted with an asterisk (*) on this site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
This trail to Papkuilsfontein Waterfall is a lovely hike, especially in flower season with blooming fields and an impressive canyon.
Papkuilsfontein Waterfall Trail Map
Location
This hike starts from a track in Papkuilsfontein Guest Farm near Gert Boom Cottage. There’s no real car park, but you can park at the side of the track. Ask at reception before you go!
Tips
- This hike is nice in all seasons, but the main flower season is Aug-Oct. This coincides with when the waterfall is in full flow.
- To do this hike, it’s best to stay at the Guest Farm (book here), where there’s a choice of cottages or camping. If it’s fully booked (often in flower season), then find somewhere else to stay nearby, such as Linda se Dop in Nieuwoudtville*.
- Papkuilsfontein has a very nice restaurant, open throughout the day for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. There’s also a little shop selling jams, chutneys, rooibos and more.
- Useful for many hikes, get an offline hiking App such as Organic Maps.
- Read our guide to nearby Nieuwoudtville or find even more hikes in our South Africa Hiking Guide.
Papkuilsfontein Waterfall Trail Hiking Route
From the track, the signed path leads first over a small stream in a little woodland. After the trees, the lovely little path bends right and leads along the edge of some rocks. The path then leads up onto the rocks and you’ll get a view of a flower-covered field.
Just after the field, you’ll come to a small junction, which you’ll return to later. For now, head straight onwards across the rocky plateau, from which you’ll see more flower-covered fields in the distance.
Papkuilsfontein Waterfall
In a while, you’ll reach a small track. Head straight over and continue along the path, which bends right to wind through some more rocks. Eventually, you’ll meet the main track. Turn left here and continue to the small dirt car park. From here, there’s a path heading along the edge of the gorge with several viewpoints of Papkuilsfontein waterfall.
You can walk all the way along the small path until you come to another small car park. Then return the way you came back to the first dirt car park. Head back along the track, but before you turn the corner, take the small path to the left. This path leads along the edge of the gorge a bit further before heading away from the cliffs.
About 800 metres after leaving the track, take the path to the right at the small junction. This heads uphill and back to the top of the plateau. Continue onwards before crossing a small track near some fields. It’s easy to get slightly lost in the next section, so make sure to keep a lookout for the track markers. Generally, you should stick left.
If you do find yourself on a different small trail, it’s also fine, as this leads back to the same place as the path to the left. Either way, you’ll soon rejoin the path you were on earlier. It’s then roughly 1 km back to where you parked your car and the end of the Papkuilsfontein Waterfall Trail.
Recommended Guidebook
Read our guide to nearby Nieuwoudtville or find even more hikes in our South Africa Hiking Guide.
Pin it
Related Posts
