Bells HardingstoneJohannesburg is known as the city of gold, but it is also a city of green. With its unique location on the Highveld ridge, the city and its surroundings are blessed with an abundance of natural spaces, from nature reserves teeming with wildlife to botanical gardens with cascading waterfalls. For those looking to escape the urban hustle, a network of hiking trails offers the perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature, get some exercise, and enjoy breathtaking views.
Whether you are a seasoned hiker looking for a challenging climb or a family seeking a gentle stroll, Johannesburg has a trail for you. This guide ranks the top 25 hiking trails in and around Johannesburg, categorised by difficulty, so you can find your perfect outdoor adventure.
Top 25 Hiking Trails In Johannesburg Easy Moderate And Scenic Routes: Complete Guide
What To Know Before You Hike
Safety First: It is always recommended to hike in groups, stay on marked trails, and let someone know your plans. Cellphone reception can be limited in some reserves .
What To Bring: Essential items include at least two bottles of water, snacks, a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes with good grip . A camera is also a great idea to capture the scenery.
Best Time To Hike: Early mornings are ideal, especially in summer, to beat the heat and afternoon thunderstorms . Winter offers cool, clear days perfect for longer hikes .
Respect Nature: Stick to the paths, do not litter, and keep a safe distance from any wildlife you may encounter .
Top Hiking Trails in Johannesburg
Easy Trails
These trails are perfect for beginners, families with young children, or anyone looking for a relaxed walk in nature. They are generally short, flat, and have well-marked paths.
Waterfall Trail at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
This short, wheelchair-friendly trail is a gem in Roodepoort. It leads directly to the base of the iconic Witpoortjie Waterfall, a breathtaking sight surrounded by lush greenery . It is perfect for a quick, scenic walk and is a favourite for photographers.
Location: Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Roodepoort
Distance: Short
Difficulty: Easy (Wheelchair-friendly)
Highlights: Witpoortjie Waterfall, Verreaux’s eagle nest on the cliffs .
Geological Trail at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
This 1.5 km trail is ideal for families and offers a fascinating mix of history and nature. Interpretive boards along the route explain the area’s ancient rock formations, which are over 2.8 billion years old .
Location: Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Roodepoort
Distance: 1.5 km
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Ancient rock formations, educational .
Jackal Trail at Thaba Trails
Located in the scenic Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, this 4 km circular trail is generally considered an easy route with clearly marked paths. It offers a great opportunity for birding and spotting wildlife like zebra and various buck .
Location: Thaba Trails, Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
Distance: 4 km
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Wildlife viewing, birding .
Klipriviersberg Bloubos Trail
This 5.3 km loop is an easy trail within the expansive Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve. It is a great introduction to the reserve’s beauty without being too demanding .
Location: Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
Distance: 5.3 km
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Gentle hills, grassland scenery .
Modderfontein Reserve Loops
Perfect for beginners and families, Modderfontein Nature Reserve features 5 km and 11 km hiking loops that are safe and easy to navigate. The Taroko Trail Park is also nearby for mountain biking .
Location: Modderfontein Nature Reserve
Distance: 5 km or 11 km loops
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Highlights: Open landscapes, family-friendly .
Cheetah Trail at Suikerbosrand
This 4 km trail is perfect for day visitors to the expansive Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve. It is a great way to experience the reserve’s biodiversity and also passes remnants of a late Iron Age settlement .
Location: Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Heidelberg Road
Distance: 4 km
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Iron Age settlement ruins, scenic grasslands .
The Wilds Nature Reserve
This inner-city reserve in Houghton is crisscrossed with paved and gravel paths, making for a series of very easy and beautiful walks. It is a haven for birdlife and offers lovely views over the city.
Location: Houghton
Distance: Varies (network of paths)
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: City views, bird watching, sculpture garden.
Moderate Trails
These trails are ideal for regular hikers looking for a bit more of a challenge. They may include some hills, longer distances, or rocky sections.
JCI Trail at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
This 3.5 km circular trail is a step up in intensity. It takes you up steep slopes to a ridge above the gardens, offering breathtaking panoramic views, before descending back towards the waterfall . Sturdy boots are recommended .
Location: Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Roodepoort
Distance: 3.5 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Panoramic views, waterfall .
5 km Klipriviersberg Hike (Group)
A dedicated hiking group meets at Klipriviersberg on the first Sunday of every month. This 5 km trail is encouraged for beginners, with a slow pace that allows you to take in the beautiful scenery .
Location: Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
Distance: 5 km
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (depending on pace)
Highlights: Group atmosphere, scenic views .
11 km Klipriviersberg Hike (Group)
Also run by the monthly hiking group, this 11 km trail is a moderate hike that includes one challenging hill at a steady pace. It is perfect for those with a good level of fitness .
Location: Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
Distance: 11 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Good workout, scenic views .
Various Moderate Loops at Klipriviersberg
AllTrails lists numerous moderate loops within the reserve, such as the Bloubos, Beacon, Ray’s Ruins, and Kiepersol Trail Loop (7.4 km), the Klipriviers Outer Loop (11.6 km), and the Klipriviersberg Bloubos Trail (5.3 km) . These offer a great way to explore the reserve’s diverse terrain.
Location: Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
Distances: 5 km to 11.6 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Diverse scenery, hills, ruins .
Bokmakierie Trail at Suikerbosrand
For those seeking a longer adventure, Suikerbosrand offers the 10 km and 17 km Bokmakierie Trails. These trails take you deeper into the reserve’s 11,500 hectares of grasslands and hills .
Location: Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve
Distances: 10 km and 17 km
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Highlights: Expansive views, grasslands, wildlife .
Thaba Trails Hiking Routes
The Thaba Trails network offers various hiking routes with stunning views of the Klipriviersberg hills. Trails range from gentle walks to more challenging hikes, all with well-marked paths. Wildlife and wildflowers are common sights .
Location: Thaba Trails, Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
Distances: Varies
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Highlights: Panoramic views, wildlife, well-marked .
Impala Trail at Thaba Trails
This 5.3 km trail is rated as moderate and is another great option for exploring the Thaba Trails network .
Location: Thaba Trails
Distance: 5.3 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Bushveld scenery .
Klipview Trail at Klipriviersberg
The Klipview Trail is a 7.6 km moderate loop within the Klipriviersberg reserve . It offers a good workout and a chance to see the reserve’s unique rock formations.
Location: Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
Distance: 7.6 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Rock formations, scenic views .
Kloofendal Nature Reserve Trails
This lesser-known gem on the West Rand offers a mix of indigenous bush, hills, and rocky trails with shorter loops. It is ideal for beginners and families but also offers some moderate climbs for a bit more of a challenge .
Location: Kloofendal Nature Reserve, Roodepoort
Distances: Varies (shorter loops)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Highlights: Quiet trails, indigenous flora .
Hennops Hiking Trails
Located a bit further from the city, the Hennops trails are famous for their suspension bridges and scenic riverside walks. The main trail is well-established and offers a good moderate hike for most fitness levels .
Location: Off the N4 Highway, near Hartbeespoort Dam
Distance: Varies
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Suspension bridges, river views .
Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge
Situated in a private nature reserve in the Cradle of Humankind, Cradle Moon offers beautiful lakeside trails. It is a safe, well-maintained environment to spot diverse wildlife while you hike .
Location: Muldersdrift
Distances: Varies
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Highlights: Lakeside views, wildlife .
Groenkloof Nature Reserve
Located just outside Pretoria, Groenkloof is a fantastic option for those in northern Joburg. It claims to be the first nature reserve in Africa and offers a variety of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running, with opportunities to see wildlife .
Location: Groenkloof Nature Reserve, Pretoria
Distances: Varies
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Highlights: Historical reserve, wildlife, varied trails .
Pretoria Botanical Gardens
For a serene and well-maintained walking experience, the Pretoria National Botanical Garden is ideal. It features a diverse collection of indigenous and exotic plants with peaceful paths to explore .
Location: Pretoria
Distances: Varies
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Diverse plant life, peaceful gardens .
Challenging / Scenic Trails
These trails are for experienced and fit hikers. They are longer, steeper, and may involve more technical terrain. The reward is often some of the most spectacular scenery in the region.
15 km Klipriviersberg Hike (Group)
Led by the Klipriviersberg Hiking Group, this 15 km trail is for experienced and fit hikers. It climbs to the reserve’s highest point of 1785m at a fast pace, tackling challenging hills twice. The views from the top are described as amazing .
Location: Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
Distance: 15 km
Difficulty: Challenging
Highlights: High point of the reserve, fast pace, panoramic views .
Klipriviersberg Loop (Hard)
AllTrails lists a 17.2 km loop in Klipriviersberg that is rated as hard, with a significant elevation gain . It is a serious workout for those looking to push their limits.
Location: Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
Distance: 17.2 km
Difficulty: Hard
Highlights: Full reserve experience, serious elevation .
Wildlife Loop at Klipriviersberg
Another challenging option in Klipriviersberg is the 15.6 km Wildlife Loop, rated as hard . As the name suggests, it offers great opportunities to see the reserve’s zebra and antelope populations.
Location: Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
Distance: 15.6 km
Difficulty: Hard
Highlights: Wildlife viewing, long-distance hike .
Overnight Trails at Suikerbosrand
For the ultimate adventure, Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve offers overnight hiking trails with hut accommodations. This is a multi-day experience that allows you to fully immerse yourself in the reserve’s vast landscapes .
Location: Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve
Distances: Long-distance (multi-day)
Difficulty: Challenging
Highlights: Multi-day adventure, hut stays, complete immersion .
Kings Kloof Trails
Located in the Magaliesberg region, Kings Kloof is known for its challenging hikes with steep climbs that reward you with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys .
Location: Magaliesberg area
Distances: Varies
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Highlights: Steep climbs, mountain views .
Hiking Trails Comparison
| Trail Name | Location | Distance | Difficulty | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterfall Trail | Walter Sisulu Gardens | Short | Easy | Witpoortjie Waterfall |
| Geological Trail | Walter Sisulu Gardens | 1.5 km | Easy | Ancient rock formations |
| Jackal Trail | Thaba Trails | 4 km | Easy | Wildlife viewing |
| Bloubos Trail | Klipriviersberg | 5.3 km | Easy | Gentle hills |
| Cheetah Trail | Suikerbosrand | 4 km | Easy | Iron Age ruins |
| JCI Trail | Walter Sisulu Gardens | 3.5 km | Moderate | Panoramic views |
| 11km Group Hike | Klipriviersberg | 11 km | Moderate | Good workout |
| Bokmakierie Trail | Suikerbosrand | 10–17 km | Mod-Challenge | Expansive views |
| 15km Group Hike | Klipriviersberg | 15 km | Challenging | High point of reserve |
| Klipriviersberg Loop | Klipriviersberg | 17.2 km | Hard | Full reserve experience |
Common Questions, FAQ Section
Are there free hiking trails in Johannesburg?
Yes, several reserves offer free access. For example, the Klipriviersberg Hiking Group offers free guided hikes at Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve on the first Sunday of every month . Many areas of Melville Koppies are also free .
What is the best time of year for hiking in Johannesburg?
Winter (April to September) offers cool, dry, and clear days, which are ideal for longer hikes . Spring and autumn are also beautiful, while summer hikes are best done very early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms .
Do I need to pay to hike at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens?
Yes, a small entrance fee is charged at the gate. SANBI members enter for free .
Can I see wildlife while hiking near Johannesburg?
Absolutely. Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve is home to zebra, black wildebeest, and red hartebeest . Suikerbosrand also has a variety of antelope .
Are there guided hikes available?
Yes. The Klipriviersberg Hiking Group offers free, organized group hikes . Guided walks are also available at places like Melville Koppies Central on Sundays .
What should I pack for a day hike?
Essentials include at least two bottles of water, snacks or a light lunch, a hat, sunscreen, a fully charged phone, and comfortable, sturdy footwear . A camera is also a good idea.
Are dogs allowed on hiking trails?
Policies vary. For example, dogs are allowed at Thaba Trails but only on specific “Doggie Trails” and must be kept on a leash . Always check the specific reserve’s rules before bringing your dog.
Is it safe to hike alone?
It is always recommended to hike with at least one other person, especially on longer or more remote trails. Sticking to well-marked and popular trails is also a good safety practice .
How far are the trails from Johannesburg city centre?
Many excellent trails are within 30-45 minutes of the city. Klipriviersberg is just 10km from the city centre , while Suikerbosrand is about an hour’s drive away .
Are there facilities like bathrooms and water at the trails?
This depends on the reserve. Well-established reserves like Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens and Thaba Trails have facilities like restrooms and water stations at the trailheads . More rustic reserves may not have any facilities.
Summary: Key Information
| Category | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Best for Easy Hikes | Walter Sisulu Gardens, Modderfontein |
| Best for Moderate Hikes | Klipriviersberg, Thaba Trails |
| Best for Challenging Hikes | Suikerbosrand, 15km+ routes at Klipriviersberg |
| Best for Scenic Views | Suikerbosrand, JCI Trail, 15km Klipriviersberg |
| Best for Wildlife | Klipriviersberg, Suikerbosrand |
| Free Hiking Option | Klipriviersberg group hikes |
| Essential Gear | Water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes |
Remember: Plan Ahead and Stay Safe
The beauty of Johannesburg’s natural spaces is a treasure. To ensure you have a great experience, always plan your hike in advance. Check the reserve’s opening hours, entrance fees, and specific rules. Most importantly, respect the environment, stay on the marked trails, and put safety first. Happy hiking!
Official Resources:
SANBI (Walter Sisulu Gardens): www.sanbi.org/gardens/walter-sisulu
Gauteng Tourism Authority: www.gauteng.net
AllTrails (for trail maps and reviews): www.alltrails.com
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This guide was last updated for 2026 standards. Trail conditions, fees, and opening hours are subject to change without notice. Always verify current information directly with the reserve management before heading out.