Hiking Spots in Gauteng

Gauteng might be South Africa's smallest province, but it's not short on places to hike. From ridge-and-koppie nature reserves in Johannesburg to botanical gardens in Pretoria and mountain trails just outside the city, there are dozens of hiking spots in Gauteng worth exploring. At Go Hiking SA, we run guided group hikes across the best of them — so whether you're after a free 45-minute loop or a full day on the trail, there's a spot on this page, and a hike on our calendar, for you.

Popular Hiking Spots in and Around Johannesburg

Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve

Johannesburg's largest nature reserve, and one of the most popular hiking spots in Johannesburg: free entry, about 10km south of the CBD in Kibler Park, and genuinely wild — zebra, black wildebeest, and springbok included. The Dassie Trail is the easier riverside option; the Sunbird Trail climbs to a lookout point. Trails combine for over 20km.

• Distance from JHB CBD: ~10km
• Trail length: 3km–12km+
• Entrance fee: Free

Melville Koppies

A small hike close to Melville and Auckland Park, set on rock formations around three billion years old with Stone Age tool finds. The central section, with the richest archaeology, opens for guided walks on Sunday mornings only.

• Distance from JHB CBD: ~6km
• Trail length: Under 5km
• Entrance fee: Free

Modderfontein Nature Reserve

A good option for anyone based in Sandton, Bedfordview, or the East Rand — varied terrain for an urban park, and quieter than the bigger reserves.

• Distance from JHB CBD: ~20km
• Trail length: 3km–10km
• Entrance fee: ~R50

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden

Arguably the most photogenic hiking spot in Gauteng. The main 3.5km trail climbs past the Witpoortjie Waterfall, where Verreaux's eagles are known to nest above the cliffs.

• Distance from JHB CBD: ~25km (Roodepoort)
• Trail length: 3.5km
• Entrance fee: ~R100

Kloofendal Nature Reserve

A 110-hectare municipal reserve in Roodepoort with close to 15km of trails, a dam, a bird hide, and national monument status thanks to some of South Africa's first gold discoveries.

• Distance from JHB CBD: ~25km (Roodepoort)
• Trail length: Up to 15km
• Entrance fee: Free

Rietfontein Nature Reserve

A 25-hectare green space in Paulshof, about 15 minutes from Sandton, built around a quartzite koppie and a well-maintained 2.5km circular trail. It's free, dog-free, and one of the easier hikes on this page — good for beginners or a quick escape without leaving the northern suburbs. We've hiked it ourselves and wrote up the full details in our Rietfontein Nature Reserve trail guide.

• Distance from JHB CBD: ~24km (Paulshof/Sandton)
• Trail length: 2.5km
• Entrance fee: Free

Popular Hiking Spots Around Pretoria

Faerie Glen Nature Reserve

Three clearly graded trails in Pretoria East — Hadeda (2.3km, easy), Acacia (3.2km, moderate), and Kiepersol (4.2km, the toughest) — good for building up fitness without switching reserves.

• Distance from Pretoria CBD: ~10km
• Trail length: 2.3km–4.2km

Groenkloof Nature Reserve

A strong claim to being the oldest nature reserve in Africa, proclaimed in 1895. Still stocked with game, with three trails: yellow (10.5km), red (5km), and white (3.7km).

• Distance from Pretoria CBD: ~8km
• Trail length: 3.7km–10.5km

Rietvlei Nature Reserve

Over 4,000 hectares with rhino, cheetah, buffalo, and zebra roaming freely — unguided hiking isn't permitted here. Guided walks run from 8km to a 21km multi-day trail, with a genuine chance of seeing big game on foot.

• Distance from Pretoria CBD: ~20 minutes
• Trail length: 8km–21km (guided only)

Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve

Tucked into Moreletapark in Pretoria East, this 100-hectare proclaimed nature reserve is free to enter and home to springbok, zebra, blesbok, impala, duiker, and bushbuck along its shaded, well-marked trails. Routes run from 1.5km to 4.6km and can be combined for a longer walk. See our Moreleta Kloof write-up for the full trail breakdown.

• Distance from Pretoria CBD: ~15km (Moreletapark)
• Trail length: 1.5km–4.6km
• Entrance fee: Free

Best Hiking Spots for a Gauteng Day Trip

Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve

Near Heidelberg, about 45–60 minutes from Johannesburg, with a 66km trail network — from the easy 4km Cheetah Trail to the tougher 10km and 17km Bokmakierie loops.

• Distance from JHB: ~50km
• Entrance fee: ~R40

Hennops Hiking Trail

Near Hartbeespoort, around 50 minutes from Johannesburg — suspension bridges, river crossings, and rocky ridgelines across a two-day, two-base-camp route (sections also work as a day hike).

• Distance from JHB: ~50 minutes
• Trail length: 5km–11km per day

Cradle of Humankind

A UNESCO World Heritage Site about 50km from Johannesburg, better known for its fossil caves but with walking trails through the dolomite landscape that's yielded roughly 40% of the world's hominid fossil discoveries.

Magaliesberg (Muningi Gorge and surrounds)

The answer whenever locals are asked for the best hiking near Johannesburg or Pretoria that feels like real mountain hiking — ridges, kloofs, and rock pools, with Muningi Gorge as one of the more accessible entry points.

B'Sorah

A 1,600-hectare working farm near the Magaliesberg and Hartbeespoort Dam, less than an hour from both Johannesburg and Pretoria, with hiking trails from 5km right up to 18km (plus mountain biking routes). It's pet-friendly, has a swimming spot on one of the cleanest rivers in the country, and makes for a proper day out. Read more in our B'Sorah trail write-up.

• Distance from Johannesburg/Pretoria: under an hour
• Trail length: 5km–18km

Why Hike These Spots With Go Hiking SA

You don't have to plan the route, check the entrance fees, or hike alone to enjoy any of the spots above. Every week, we run scheduled group hikes across a mix of these trails — led by trained, first-aid-qualified guides, at a pace that works for beginners and experienced hikers alike. Our hikes are built for solo hikers, families, and corporate groups, and each one is more than just a walk: we partner with conservation projects, sanctuaries, and local landowners to turn a hike into a proper experience, like our Bezhoek Day Hike or Seeking Sunsets & Chasing Waterfalls.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best hiking spot in Gauteng?

It depends what you're after. For an easy, free option close to Johannesburg, Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve is hard to beat. For scenery, Walter Sisulu's Witpoortjie Waterfall trail is one of the most photographed hikes in Gauteng. For a proper day-long hike, Suikerbosrand or the Magaliesberg offer far more distance and elevation.

Are there free hiking trails in Gauteng?

Yes — Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, Melville Koppies, and Kloofendal Nature Reserve are all free to enter.

Is it safe to hike alone in Gauteng?

Most reserves on this page are safe for solo hikers in daylight hours if you stick to marked trails. Some, like Rietvlei, require a guide because of dangerous game — and hiking in a group is recommended for quieter trails such as parts of the Magaliesberg. Joining one of our guided hikes removes the guesswork entirely.

Do I need to book in advance to join a Go Hiking SA hike?

Yes, spots are limited on each hike to keep groups manageable and safe. Check our upcoming hikes page or WhatsApp group for the current schedule and booking links.

Whether you're after a free 45-minute loop or a full weekend around the Magaliesberg, Gauteng has enough hiking spots to keep you busy for a long time. Browse our upcoming guided hikes and come explore them with us.