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Directions: Take the M1 and turn off at the Columbine off-ramp. Turn west onto Columbine Avenue and follow the road for about 2½ km until you reach the Ormonde Drive traffic light. Turn left and take the 3rd road left into Riverside Drive (Map Studio pg. 128, EE 95).

Dog Friendliness: Technically all dogs should be on lead. Along the river banks you may want to keep the lead on as there are some busy roads and some aggressive dogs behind the garden gates.

Walk Time: Around 1-2 hours.

Parking: Unguarded parking at the end of Riverside Drive.

Safety: There is the odd person who lives on the koppies, but I have never felt threatened. Take the usual precautions and don't walk alone, especially if you are a woman or have a small dog.

Facilities: None.

Water: Some water in the streams which may be polluted.

The Walk: From the end of Riverside Drive walk west up the valley on the right hand side of the stream. The path continues for about 500 m before it gets a little overgrown. About 20 m into the overgrown section look for a path leading up a small creek to the right (north). Follow this path up the side of the koppie in a north-west direction.

After about 100 m you will pop out onto a flattish section with the koppie extending in a west-east orientation in front of you. Make your way to the left up to the western end of the koppie. You can easily walk along the top until you get to a rocky section where you overlook a valley with a new housing development and the M1 motorway below you. Work your way around to the northern side of the koppie near the back of some houses. Turn east at the houses and walk about 10 m from the walls. Watch out for broken glass, garden refuse and assorted junk that the owners of these properties have thrown over their walls. You eventually descend to the flattish section mentioned earlier.

In the middle of the flattish section you will come across a well worn path running left to right. Follow the path left and walk north up the slope. About 30 m before the houses, turn right (east) and work your way along the rocks and cliffs near the top of the koppie. You will find yourself moving parallel to the river in the valley. After about 200 m the top flattens out and walking soon becomes easier. Note how one of the houses with a low wall has been throwing bottles into the reserve for many years.
You will notice that you are soon above the end of Riverside Drive where you parked your car. There is a path down the koppie directly above the car park which starts near some trees. You can return to the car now or continue on the longer walk.

To continue the walk, make your way further along the top of the koppie near the houses. At one stage you will need to skirt close to a property with no walls to get to the rocky section just beyond the house. About 100 m beyond the house, the rocky koppie ends and a rocky section which leads you down to the end of Bonham Place.

Put your dog on the lead and walk along Bonham Place. Turn right (east) onto Calanbria Drive. Walk along the road for about 200 m until you reach a grassy section on the left hand side. Follow the path through the grass to Floreston Road. Cross the road and continue along the grass down to the stream. Follow the stream to the south crossing Ormonde Drive until you reach the confluence of a small stream flowing from the right (west).

This stream is the one you walked along when you started and you need to turn right and follow this stream after crossing Daubeney Road. You are about 1.5 km easy walk along the grassy riverbanks from your car.

Watch Out For: Broken glass, polluted streams, general rubbish and motor vehicles when doing the longer route.

© Dogwalk Publications - 14 January 2008