WAVERLEY RIVER WALK
A pleasant river
walk where the water isn’t too polluted and you can enjoy a post
exercise drink at the Waverley Bowls Club.
NOTE: this area was quite badly dug up in 2005/6, but it
seems to be OK now.
Directions: The walk starts at
the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia..
Dog Friendliness: You will need a lead as about 3 km of the walk
is alongside roads.
Walk Time: About 3 hours.
Parking: Park at the guarded parking area in Emmarentia near the
intersection with Beyers Naude Drive and Thomas Bowler Street.
Safety: There are safe areas and there are dodgy areas. I would
advise walking in a group.
Facilities: Nothing really - there are some vendors who sell
cigarettes and sweets on the Montgomery Spruit and a shop on the
corner of Twist and Main Streets.
Water: The dams at Emmarentia are clean for swimming. The
Montgomery Spruit is often polluted and watch out for the small
slimy dam as you cross Montpark Drive. Take drinking water with
you.
The Walk: From the car park, walk towards the north end of the
Emmarentia Dam. Exit through the car park gate and put your dog
on a lead. Walk along Louw Geldenhuys Drive either on the
sidewalk or the green strip adjacent to the dam. Cross over
Oliphants Road and turn left into Ingalele Road. Stay left on
the grass next to the stream. Cross over the stream at the
bridge and walk on the grass down to the Scout Hall at the
bottom of the valley.
Turn left before you reach the Scout Hall and walk upstream on
the south bank of the spruit. Follow the green belt until you
reach 5th Ave. Cross over 5th Ave and walk along Schroder Street
adjacent to Creek 9 golf course. At the end of the street cross
the road onto the small park until you reach the very busy
Beyers Naude Drive. Be very careful when you cross over, don't
rush and don't force your dog. Use a lead.
On the other side, there is a well defined path on the green
belt between the stream to your right and the houses and roads
to your left. This path leads you past Rocco De Villiers Street,
Jan Cilliers Street and the Auckland Park Bowls Club. You
eventually pop out onto a wide stretch of grass which you walk
along until you reach the intersection of John Adamson Drive and
Max Michaelis Street. Cross over the road onto a small green
belt just beyond the intersection.
Follow the path alongside the Montgomery Spruit. You will cross
several smaller roads until you eventually reach Twist Street.
Turn left onto Twist Street and walk up the hill. Cross over
Main Street and continue along the pavement on the right hand
side until you reach the end of the road at the intersection
with End Street. Go through the gap in the fence in the corner
and follow the path up the hill towards the large block of
flats. The path splits about half way up - take the left hand
fork which leads you up the hill in front of the flats.
At the top of the ridge you enter the main part of Melville
Koppies. Go through the gate and take the path that stretches
straight ahead on the flat grassy section. This path continues
for about 1½ km. You eventually come to a 4 way intersection of
paths - take the left hand one leading down a rocky path.
The path gets steeper and rockier and eventually pops you out
near the Beyer's Naude Dr/Judith Rd intersection. The gate at
the top of the Emmarentia Park now no longer exists. So you have
to walk the last kilometre along the left hand side of the very
busy Beyers Naude Dr. Cross over at the traffic lights at the
Thomas Bowler St intersection and return to your car.
Watch Out For: Litter and broken glass in places, busy roads,
and barking dogs (especially in the Newlands and Albertville
sections).
© Dogwalk Publications -
14 January 2008
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