Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve rises above the town and contains the three great granite domes that give Paarl its name — "parel" means pearl in Dutch, and when the sun catches the wet granite after rain, the domes do indeed gleam like enormous pearls. The reserve has well-marked hiking trails that take you through fynbos vegetation and past some of the largest granite outcrops in the world, second in scale only to Ayers Rock.
The trails range from easy walks to more demanding climbs to the summit of Paarl Rock, which at 729 metres above sea level gives views over the entire Winelands. The reserve also houses a botanical garden with indigenous plants and a picnic area. Mountain biking is permitted on certain trails. The gate off Main Street opens at sunrise and closes at sunset; there is a small entrance fee.