Adventure with a Purpose: Quest to find top 5 free hiking/walking trails in Jozi 3/5 : Kloofendal Nature Reserve


                                                                                                                                                                         Quest to find the top 5 free hiking/walking trails in Jozi 3/5: Kloofendal Nature Reserve


































I have visited this place before, but it was to take a bunch of Paramedic students on a hike of sorts. We started at Florida Park Fire station then walked to Kloofendal, while the students carried medical equipment and a "patient"  in a stretcher. We only got as far as the dam, then completed our exercise and made our way back to Florida Park fire Station. 




I have also fought bush fires here while working on the fire engine and it was tough going.

I also went there once with my climbing mate the Late Khabo but in all honestly I had not seen much of this reserve. 

My sister who hikes frequently here during the week told me to come along with her and boy was I in for a surprise. I had missed out on so much of the place. It was really awesome getting to know this little stretch of heaven through my sister's eyes and she showed me all the nooks and crannies I probably would have missed.

These hiking trails are in the Roodepoort Region, in Kloofendal and is owned by the City - City Parks manage it. It is very popular and well used and has an active "Friends of Kloofendal Nature Reserve" group that helps to oversee its upkeep and runs guided walks for interested groups. See more detail later on.


Joining one of the guided groups though is not compulsory in order to enjoy and explore this little gem on our doorstop. There are many paths most of them are very well marked and others a little bit off the beaten track if you are up for an adventure. But you will not get lost! If you do then you are a moron! Please remember to stay on a path - even in the more overgrown areas you can still make out the paths. If you go off path you will add a higher risk of encountering a snake or worse destroying a fragile ecosystem as you force your way through the bush. Remember all the smaller animals who may have their homes and laid eggs there, will get destroyed by your big feet!. 



What is really great is that you can create your own route with very little chance of getting lost or losing your sense of direction. If you have had enough you can just head back down to the "center" - towards the amphitheater below. The walks are really great here and most are easy with one or two offering more of an ankle challenge. This place is really great for beginners or people coming back from an injury or have not hiked in a while. The reserve is open every day of the week, including public holidays, from 6am to 6pm. It is fully fenced and the security guard is on duty every day.


It is a very popular site for trail runners and I have seen many posts from my trail running friends of beautiful sunrises and sunsets here as well as the changing seasons. So today I was here amped to explore the place properly for a change!
When you arrive you will enter through the main thatched entrance and sign in a register which the guard will bring to you. Then drive up the tarred road until you see the car park on your left. If you find an available tree park under it as it does get fairly hot here. It is fully fenced and the security guard is on duty every day. 
Once you  walk through the main gate of the nature reserve you are met  with well  appointed notice boards and  gorgeous indigenous gardens.
Some of the sign boards with really good maps. I took a photo and used this as my map
The reserve does have a really fantastic historical background.As you walk along the well maintained paved pathway look to your left and you will find the large and rather imposing remains of the Struben's stamp mill a reminder of the gold rush and gold industry of years gone by. You can walk right up to them and take a closer look.
The history goes like this:Back in 1850 the farm was bought by the father of Louw Geldenhuys Ruaan (another famous name and many streets and schools were named after him in the area) who also had invited the now famous Struben brothers to the farm. The idea was that the brothers would prospect for gold. In 1884 Fred Struben discovered the Confidence Reef at Wilgespruite. This mine was the very first payable gold deposit in the Witwatersrand.
In 1885 Harry Struben ordered a five-stamp battery from England to mill the ore. This was first delivered to Durban and made its long and tiring way up here by ox-wagon. When you see how big they are, it must of been a monumental task to get them from Durban all the way up here!. In 1978 the Kloofendal Nature Reserve was proclaimed and permission was given to allow guided tours. 
With all of this above information it is easy to see why the Kloofendal Nature Reserve is an area of great historical interest and why it became home to a National Monument to commemorate the discovery of gold in the Witwatersrand in 1885. This was actually 2 years prior to the discovery of gold on the main reef in Langlaagte. In August of 1983 the Confidence mines was proclaimed as a national monument. Mine tours began and the Struben's stamp mill was brought back to Kloofendal in May 2009. I will be booking one of these mine tours soon, so look out for my blog on my experience.
As you continue your walk on your right hand side the area suddenly opens out to the stone amphitheater which was built in 1981. It is a fantastic open area where the kids can run and stretch their legs and families can picnic and enjoy concerts and various family events. Many well known rock concerts and functions have taken place here and its a great venue.  You will also find the bathrooms here which are clean and well maintained. The buildings are  thatched adding to that Africa feel!  There is a thatched braai lapa as well as various baaing facilitates dotted around the grounds. You are able to hire the area out for groups larger than 20. A large thatched hall is also available for functions. Please note food it not sold here.  Please check the links I have added further down for contact details. 
Note that most of the time you come here the amphitheater will be quiet and not over-crowded. Near the amphitheater is the Ecological Centre please note that is used for Environmental Education only. 
At the open grassed area near the amphitheater we discovered this board and a new added interest which I had not seen before "A planet Walk". It is a new initiative at the Kloofendal Nature Reserve which brings heavenly bodies down to Earth with a to-scale model of our solar system. How cool is that!! 


I found out that Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Roodepoort  unveiled this Planet Walk , as an educational initiative on 9 November. 2016. 


The project replicates the solar system to scale and works on two levels; the planets' distances from the sun and the planets' sizes in relation to each other and to the sun. to be a little more scientific : " the distances of the planets from the sun and from each other is to a scale matching the average distances in nature. The scale used is 1 m = 10 000 000 km, thus the Earth is 15 m from the Sun representing 150 000 000 km."The second scale is the sizes of the plants in relation to each other and to the Sun; the Sun is represented by a 2 m diameter steel tube sphere, which doubles up as a kids' climbing frame. Thus the Earth is represented by a sphere that is 17 000 times smaller than the 2 m sun." and there you have it!!




















The planets are mounted on quarried rocks with engraved granite plaques describing each planet, its distance from the sun, size comparisons to Earth and other facts about the solar system. They are really beautifully set out.


Planet Walk is primarily an outdoor educational experience that lets teachers show children what the solar system looks like, while encouraging a healthy lifestyle at the popular nature reserve. This particular Planet Walk was apparently inspired by a club member who had visited France and put this exhibit together with the help of sponsors. 
 


Many of the nature reserves in and around Johannesburg have groups of concerned and passionate  locals who have formed committees with local authorities and work along side them in preserving our heritage and green areas for  generations to come. The work that these groups do is voluntary and they really all need to be thanked for their dedication. Most have a Facebook page, webpages or information on the internet and if you are keen many welcome new recruits. So back to our Friends of Kloofendal - FroK who work in collaboration with Johannesburg City parks, are the custodians of the Reserve on behalf of the citizens of Johannesburg. Well you  need only come and visit to see that they are doing a brilliant job here. As mentioned they are a voluntary group, many with full-time jobs already and on weekends mostly they offer guided walks from birding, wild flowers, gold mine tours all for a small fee. I urge you and schools to go on one of their informed walks as this is how they raise funds in order to carry out their work to help us to keep our heritage.



Since the Friends of Kloofendal formed back in 2003 there have been no reports of any attacks or of hikers/robbed other than in the car park itself and as such they recommend that your spare tyres are secured and as like for any public place, do not leave valuables lying around in full view when you park you car and leave it unattended.  







I took the following direct from their September 2016 PDF Link: 
http://kloofendalfriends.yolasite.com/resources/Kloofendal_FAQs.pdf

"**Environmental Education. The main activity is 2-hour guided nature walks organised
during the weekends for families. Bookings of advertised events through Joey with the FroK
phone (079-593-5608). 
**For general inquiries contact Karin Spottiswoode (011-674-2980;
072-595-6991). There is a small fee for attendance to pay our well-qualified guides and to
cover administrative costs.
** Invasive alien vegetation control. Please join us with the programme of removal of Invasive
alien vegetation. Details in the events list. Jörgen Hammarstöm (011-763-5504, 083-546-
1199)
** Environmental Maintenance. This group works with “nuts and bolts” issues to help
maintain and enhance the Reserve. Typically projects outside of JCP’s routine work are
tackled. Charlie Read (011-673-1817; 083-253-0293)
** Mining history. This group is concerned with the Confidence Reef mine, The first mine on the Witwatersrand and situated within the Reserve. Also related items of historical interest,
evidenced by the stamp mill that was moved to the Reserve. Rod Kruger (011-475-1782; 082-
477-0319)
**Cultural Events. This portfolio was set up to bring you concerts within Kloofendal’s fine
amphitheater".


We in Jozi are lucky to have Kloofendal which  not only is a cultural heritage site but a really great ecotourism facility. This 128ha odd park was one of the first nature reserves to be proclaimed in Johannesburg and offers us urban city dwellers a really fantastic outdoor retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life in Jozi. The conservation area here is of high value especially with its natural environment which represents a zone of transition between the Bankenveld, Drakensberg and Savana ecosystems.


When we were on our walk we found a few posters advertising up coming events You can contact Johannesburg City parks at 011-712-6600.  The Kloofendal Amphitheatre itself is used perhaps once per year for large concerts. Most facilities are free for small groups.  Consult with Johannesburg City Parks (JCP) at 011-712-6664/6614 for groups of 20 or more or if you want to hire facilities for your exclusive use. For the full document describing the cost of hiring and  costs for Kloofendal Public facilities in the Amphitheater:

https://kloofendalfriends.yolasite.com/amphitheatre-facilities.php   



Please always remember to close all the gates after you as the reserve has many small mammals and little creatures that will escape and its in their best interest that they stay within the safe haven of the Reserve. So taking about creatures what do we find in the reserve?. Well as you make your way along the forested sections which are much cooler you come across lots of birds, a few small rodents.
There are a several trails and you need only follow the coloured arrows on the concrete block markers you will find along the way: You may spot a hedgehog, black-backed jackal, mole rat, gerbil if not be sure they will be watching you!

***Wetland (Blue) 20 minutes: The Wetland walk starts just below the FroK notice board.
Struben (Green), 30 min (nominal / slow) 1 Riverine forest, grassland, dam, Struben mine entrance
***Dassie (Red), 1 hour: As for A, plus views of Reserve, quartzite outcrops, many tree species, exploration trenches
***Rocky Ridge (Yellow): 2 hours As for A & B, plus wider views, near-perennial stream (sometimes potable), exploration addicts!

 

 

 




We took the forested path that leads up to a wooden bridge near the dam. to our right is a small scramble up to a path that leads to the bird house. Around the dam bird life abounds so look out for the birds along the dam  like the quite little grebes, African black ducks, green-backed herons and blacksmith plovers. I spent quiet a bit of time here, the best times would be early morning or late afternoon for the best photographs of the water reflections and the birds.
 

 Below were taken at different times and days of the dam creating different lighting and reflections
 



















 As you make your way up higher into the more open areas up towards the "koppies" you will see many butterflies, grasshoppers and many other birds especially around the dam. It is no small wonder this place is known as a birders paradise and the well maintained bird hide is testimony to that! Apart from the many small mammals and butterflies you will find some really beautiful wild flowers and grasses. Oh and you may encounter the odd snake like my sister and I did. It was crossing one of the paths up on the higher reaches. I nearly pooped myself and once it had disappeared I will not lie to you that I sprinted along the path, past the last point where we spotted it,  like an Olympic athlete going for gold.






  

 

 











 




 


















 

 I love rocks, caves and rock formations and Kloofendal Nature Reserve does not disappoint as it consists of pristine Highveld rocks with beautiful quartzite and shale koppies, which offer up some very interesting looking rocks and rock features along the way. 
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This area is heaven to the Rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) also known as the Dassie. Hundreds of them in fact. You will know where their hide out is by the little round droppings they leave everywhere, in fact thousands of these little poop balls can be found as you spot them sunning themselves up on the high rocks above. Take some time to sit quietly an watch them as they,  well watch you!!. Take note of the sentries posted on guard waiting to warn the others of predictors or humans approaching. They are really facilitating to watch.


 


Below the cliffs which are home to the Dassies you will find a ravine filled with a stunning stream, ferns and stick like trees. The soil is damp and moss grows on the rocks. Its a great place to take a breather, have a cup of coffee in the cool air when its a really hot day.





 

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We are told that hunter-gatherers lived around this areas in pre-historic times. I was really excited to discover that they had even found various implements around a rock shelter. I will find out where the site was, document it and let you know in another blog, which is one in a series of  archaeological blogs I am busy with.  This discovery was made by the University of Witwaterand archaeology dept, a discovery led by archaeologist  L Wadly back in 1983. The area was known as Wilgesspruit and at one stage during 1840's the Voorstrekkers had settled here.

The area has a forest section, trees and shrubs in an open grassland section and trees up on some of the cliff faces and above. This reserve houses a large variety of trees like the wild peach (Kiggelaria africana), the velvert rock alder (Canthium Gilfillanii), the honey scented protea (Protea welwitschii), wild medlar (Vangueria infausta) found in the forest region. There are a few streams where we will find the free fuchsia (Halleria lucidea, the ouhout (Leucosidea sericea) as well as many white stinkwoods (Celtis africana). Higher up on the ridges we find the wild apricot creeper (Ancylobothrys capensis( stamvrug milk plum (Englerophytum magalismontanum)  and white candlewood (Pterocelastrus exhinatus).













As I have already mentioned there are many little and medium sized mammals like the mountain reedbuck, duikers, scrub hare, Lots of dassies, slender mongoose, mole rates, genet, Cape serotonin bats, horseshoe bats and yellow house bats. I have seen several mongoose that dart across the pathways quicker than I can draw my camera out, then they scurry off into the long grass never to been seen again. We were lucky enough to spot what looked like a mountain reedbuck up on the slopes as well as a duiker in the forest below. We have nearly had a heart attack when as a quick as lightening hares sprinted past us from no where.



The birds are always busy around the nature reserve and you will come across black sparrowhawks nests in the gum trees (see my photo - was rather chuffed with this spot!!) and what would the African bush be without our iconic guineafowl.




























As you walk along the top of the ridge among the hundreds of protea bushes you may be lucky enough to spot a few malachite sun-birds and white-bellied sun-birds.


When you sit up at the top of the ridge with the many green benches or cut tree stumps and watch over the reserve below you may find a Verreaux's eagles flying above you as it glides in on it pray. There are many black cuckoo-shrikes and red-throated wrynecks out and about. 







 

 








On our way back down on one of our 2 hiking trips we came across the fenced off portion of the old gold mine - Confidence Reef Mine a geological site,  which as mentioned earlier is one of the oldest mines in the region. Gold was discovered here in 1884.  









The entrance to the old mine tunnel can still be seen and I look forward to taking a tour inside the mine soon.
































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When you walk onto the other side up though the ravine towards the bird-hide, then over the wooden bridge near the dam, you walk up another ridge. Here you will get a different view, then you make your way back down into a stunning forest which will eventually lead to a small pedestrian gate near the entrance of the reserve. We have found many hares around here provided you keep quiet.
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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| Amateur PhotographerAspiring Author ALS Paramedic
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