MELVILLE KOPPIES (Westren Section)
The best “wild”
walk in Johannesburg with good views, a well marked trail, and a
free trail map at the starting point.
Directions:
Take Ayr Road (4th Ave) from Main Road in Melville. Follow Ayr
Road for about 1˝ km (it becomes Korea and then Arundal Roads)
until you reach 3rd Street just before the road ends.
Dog Friendliness: Technically all dogs should be on lead, but
the management committee of the park don't mind as long as the
dogs are not dangerous and are under control.
Walk Time: From 1-1˝ hours.
Parking: Park in 3rd Ave in the street. Warning - there have
been some recent break-ins at parked cars here. Don't leave
anything of value in the car. Watch out for barking dogs in the
gardens.
Safety: Take the usual precautions. It is normally safe, but
don't walk alone.
Facilities: There is a map of the area which you collect from a
post box attached to the sign at the 3rd St entrance. It has the
route marked on it as well as a route description and
information on history, vegetation, etc.
Water: None - take drinking water with you.
The Walk: Basically you follow the route markers that are
prominently displayed next to the paths and well marked on the
map. From the entrance, work your way north through the tall
grass until the path forks. Take the left hand fork and continue
straight to the top of the ridge.
At the ridge follow the path left along the ridgeline adjacent
to the St Joseph Home boundary fence. Just past a trig beacon,
the path turns right and you descend through a rocky section to
a flat grassy plain that extends in an east-west direction just
north of the ridge. On the grassy plain, you will come across a
major path - turn right and follow it for about 1˝ km.
The path splits at the top of a small valley. The left hand path
takes you down to the Beyers Naude Drive / Judith Road
intersection near the cemetery. Straight ahead takes you down a
steep path to Beyers Naude Drive. You need to take the right
hand path which leads you southwards back to the ridge. Cross
the ridge and follow the path across a small grassy plain until
you reach another small ridge line.
Take the left hand fork east and follow the path as it descends
a small valley. After about 700 m the path splits again. Take
the right hand split through a copse of trees to a grassy slope
where the path turns west and runs parallel to the Westdene
Spruit. Follow the path markers back up the slope past an old
shooting range where you will reach a flat area with tall grass.
The path winds it way back to the start where you parked the
car.
Watch Out For: Occasional litter, broken glass and human faeces
at small encampments. More Info: Wendy Carstens on 011-482-4797.
© Dogwalk Publications -
14 January 2008
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