Rating the Trails with my Jimny and my boyz: Northcliff Ridge EcoPark

It has been a long time since I visited Northcliff hill. It had become very dirty and not safe especially after dark. But a transformation has happened. The Northcliff Ridge Ecopark has a caring group of people taking care of it for all to once again enjoy.  Photos taken with my Nikon coolpixL820

The car park once a uneven dust area was now neat and paved, with security cameras. The entrance to the main road now has a boom with security.
 
I headed of with my son Jordan and my Nikon CoolpixL820 camera for a bit of fun and to enjoy the 360 panoramic views over looking Johannesburg, all for free!!

 The water tower is distinctive landmark and was build in 1939 on  a 11 hectare piece of land now controlled by the City parks and Joburg Water. The tower has become a perfect nesting place for swifts but the ride is also home to larks, kiewiets and shrikes.



There are a number of ridges in and around Johannesburg and one of the most northern ones is the Northcliff Ridge, the site of early 17th century Stone Age Settlements and a favorite spot for mountaineering types, kite flyers and model aeroplane enthusiasts.
 




 

 



The ridge is about 12 km from the city centre and has a flat grassy top with a steep rock face on the northern side. There is a shrubby area around the base of the cliff and to a degree along the rocks going up to the top.







 



 

 

 

 
 
 having some fun with all the different textured grasses
 

The battle to maintain the largely indigenous vegetation is a mission and some areas are populated with black jacks, khakibos and black wattles, seeds of which are dropped by birds.


    


 

The ridge was originally called Aasvoelkop (Vulture Ridge)  due to the population of vultures that lived in its crevices but these sadly are long gone.








it was believed to have been populated by humans 25 000 years ago.
 


 

 

 

 

 

 



The ridge sits at 1807 metres and is the second highest point in Johannesburg being on metre lower than Observatory Ridge.

 




 

 

it has three distinct vegetation zones and is inhabited by many different animals


The beautiful wire Bee eaters were installed by  George Halloway and done by Gordon Froud.







 

 
The sunsets and sunrises from up top here are spectacular. The view is fantastic and its is surprisingly quiet and rather windy. Its awesome watching the world below carry on as you chill!
 



 
 
 having some fun with filters and colours
 
 

 

 

 







 


 

 

 
 
 


 









 

 

 

 

 


 

Adventure with a purpose!™
The Team Zodwa Project ™
Photo Credits: Kim Williams Copyright
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Warmest

Kim Williams | Adventurer | Founder The Team Zodwa Project  & Adventure with a purpose | Finalist Johnny Walker/Sunday Times Nation’s Greatest Hero Award | #Reachoutbeahero &  #Adventurewithapurpose & #Trek4Hunger Ambassador  |Brand Ambassador Eatfresh SA| Public Speaker|Facilitator| Outstanding Founders list @MagnificHQ |Outstanding People List @GirlsRunThings | Blogger| Fizzical National Everyday Hero Winner| Blogger| Aspiring Author | ALS Paramedic
Email kimwilliams@vodamail.co.za | Websitewww.adventurekim.com & www.teamzodwa.co.za
Mobile 083 962 6707
Twitter @777adventurekim
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Blog  mountaingirl777.blogspot.com

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“Life is an adventure…so live it. It’s your choice!”™
The Team Zodwa Project ™

Reach out...be a hero!™

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