SMUTS HOUSE (IRENE)
A very pleasant
and safe 2-3 km walk to a special koppie where Gen JC Smuts
meditated on life, the United Nations and everything. And don’t
forget to visit his old residence, Smuts’ House.
Directions: Take the N1 north
from Joburg and turn off at the M18 Botha Ave/Centurion exit
just past Centurion Cricket Stadium. Turn right and follow Main
Road until you reach Irene Village Centre. Turn left at the
Nelmapius Road traffic light. You pass under a railroad bridge
and then take the first road right which takes you to Smuts'
House. Turn left and drive through the gate to the car park.
Dog Friendliness: Put your dog on a lead at the beginning when
you are at the museum area. Once you have walked past the sign
indicating the walk, you can take your dog off lead.
Walk Time: About 1 hour.
Parking: Safe parking at the museum.
Safety: It is a pretty safe area - but it may still be a good
idea to walk in a group.
Facilities: Smuts' House is one of the most fascinating and
worthwhile museums in Gauteng (no dogs inside). There is a tea
garden, clean toilets and tap water as well as plenty of shade
around the museum area.
Water: None really on route.
The Walk: The walk is pretty simple. From the car park, walk
towards Smuts' old car and turn right. Walk past the tea garden
and the front Smuts' House until you see a small stone wall
indicating the direction of the walk (called the Oubaas Trail).
Follow the path north and continue until the path splits. The
left hand path takes you on a longer route to the koppie near
the Olifants Spruit. The right hand split is the shorter one.
Both paths are easy to follow and you eventually end up on top
of the koppie where a vandalised memorial is found. Despite the
encroachment of surrounding housing developments, the koppie is
still a peaceful place.
On the return, you can either retrace your steps, or you can
continue along the path that runs along the spine of the koppie
to the south. This path soon takes you through some blue gum
trees where you reach a fence with a gate near a retirement
village to your right. Walk to the road and turn right. About
300 m further on, there is a gate in the fence on your right
which takes you back to the car park. Put your dog on a lead and
have some tea and scones before visiting Smuts' House (you can
tie up your dog to one of the benches on the shady stoep). Plan
on spending about an hour in the museum.
More Info:
-
Smuts' House, tel 012 667 1941 -
open Mon-Sun from 9:30am (R5 for adults, R3 for children.
-
The Irene Village Website has
lost more info on the area:
www.irenevillage.com.
-
The Irene Market is held on the
2nd and last Saturday of the month (tel 012 667 1659).
© Dogwalk Publications -
14 January 2008
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