a walk in the park: kloofendal
16 FEBRUARY 2025
We aim to provide a gay, lesbian and straight-friendly hiking environment for anyone and everyone to enjoy the beautiful outdoors in the company of like-minded friends.
When
16 February 2025
Where
Kloofendal Nature Reserve
Fee
R 20
COFFEE
At Bootleggers in Ridgeway Shopping Centre
Intensity
Some fitness required
Kloofendal is a cultural heritage and ecotourism facility in the Roodepoort suburb of Kloofendal. The 128ha park was one of the first nature reserves in Joburg and offers urbanites a retreat from city life. The area has a high conservation value, with the natural environment representing a transition zone between the Bankenveld, Drakensberg and Savana ecosystems.
It is about eight kilometers from Soweto, and is used for environmental education. The reserve has remains of early gold mining activities and is recognised as the first gold mine in Johannesburg. The mine can be visited by appointment. See the stamp mill near the entrance to the amphitheatre.
Just 25 kilometres from the city centre, it is home to a number of small mammals such as duiker, mountain reedbuck, dassie, mongoose, hedgehog, black-backed jackal, mole rat, gerbil and more. There is a stone amphitheatre with picnic and ablution facilities, walking trails of various distances, and a dam with a hide. A map of the reserve is available from the security guard on duty.
Getting there:
Physical Address:
From the N1, take the N14 offramp towards Roodepoort. Turn right on Christiaan de Wet Road. Turn on to Wilgerood Road, left on to Topaz Road and right on to Galena Avenue. Galena Avenue between Ouklip & Topaz.
Or look for Kloofendal Nature Reserve on Google Maps.
GPS Co-ordinates: 26°07’39.09”S & 27°52’50.22”E
We will be following the yellow Rocky Ridge trail. This 3.5km trail will take us through a shaded forest area, past a dam and through some indigenous flora. It then goes up a hill with views of the West Rand and beautiful rock formations. After the summit, the trail meanders back down through another shaded area before reaching the amphitheater once again.
There are also shorter trails for those wanting something less strenuous, or for those who would like to walk some more after doing the yellow trail.
The 3.5km trail should take 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. Those that want to can join us for coffee afterwards at the Bootlegger Coffee Company in the Ridgeway Shopping Centre, which is situated 1.5km from Kloofendal.
MEET:
Arrive at 08:00, meet in the parking area (look out for a white Renault Kiger # KP12PD GP). We start hiking at 08:30.
REQUIREMENTS:
Good hiking shoes, hat, sun block, at least 2lt of water, snacks.
COFFEE
We will go for coffee at the Bootlegger Coffee Company in the Ridgeway Shopping Centre afterwards.
DIFFICULTY RATING
Easy enough, but some fitness is required as there is a long uphill.
ENTRANCE FEE:
R20 per person
NO NO’S:
No radios or pets. No claims against the club for loss/death or injury. Your participation is voluntary. Take care. No littering, we take only photographs and leave only fairy footprints!
For more information, contact Hantie on 083 656 5783.
For more information, contact Hantie on 083 656 5783.
For any updates, join the WhatsApp group for this hike
Remember
Good hiking shoes, hat, sun block, 2lt of water, snacks.