Melville, Johannesburg · Gauteng

Melville Koppies Nature Reserve

  • HoursCentral: Sundays 08:00–11:30 except Christmas and New Year. East and West: daily, dawn to dusk.
  • Map Directions
  • Official Conditions
  • This device
  • Send
  • Paper
Footbridge over a waterfall in a Johannesburg nature garden
Johannesburg region · representative photograph, not this specific trail

Johannesburg City Parks lists Melville Koppies as 150 hectares of rocky koppies, indigenous highveld plants and an ancient Iron Age furnace, with trails and city views. Getting there: Beyers Naude Drive to Judith Road, Emmarentia. Phone 011 943 3578. Friends of Melville Koppies (mk.org.za) run access: Central is locked except Sundays 08:00–11:30 (except Christmas and New Year), no dogs, R100 adult / R50 under 18, maps at the Judith Road hut, parking at Marks Park. A 5km self-paced Sunday walk and an 8km last-Sunday group hike are Friends products, not a daily municipal loop. East is open daily dawn to dusk, free, about 1km, socialised dogs welcome; park on Kloof Road or Rustenburg Road. West is open daily but Friends advise scheduled group walks. No braais, camping or picnicking on the Friends site. Do not treat the whole reserve as free or dog-friendly.

Before you go, read Melville Koppies Nature Reserve guide.

Questions

When is Melville Koppies Nature Reserve open?
Central: Sundays 08:00–11:30 except Christmas and New Year. East and West: daily, dawn to dusk.
Where do you park for Melville Koppies Nature Reserve?
Central: Marks Park Sports Club, Judith Road, Emmarentia, then walk across the road. East: Kloof Road off 7th Avenue, or opposite the garage on Rustenburg Road, Melville.

Spot an error or a closed path?

Trail facts change. Tell us what you saw and we'll check it against the reserve.

We only use your details to answer this enquiry. See our privacy policy.

Nearby on the map

From this pin: Johannesburg Botanical Gardens 1.8 km; Zoo Lake 4.3 km; Delta Park 5.5 km; Golden Harvest Park 12 km.

Footbridge over a waterfall in a Johannesburg nature garden
Johannesburg region · representative photo, not this trail

Johannesburg Botanical Gardens

Emmarentia, Johannesburg · 1.8 km away

Official JCPZ picnic lawns at Emmarentia Dam: 81ha, sunrise to sunset, dogs in designated areas, no open fires or braais.

  • Picnic
  • Dogs OK
  • Free entry
  • Open sunrise to sunset.
Footbridge over a waterfall in a Johannesburg nature garden
Johannesburg region · representative photo, not this trail

Zoo Lake

Parkview, Johannesburg · 4.3 km away

Official JCPZ picnic park next to Johannesburg Zoo: dog-friendly lawns, a play area, boat rides and the Coronation Fountain. Free entry.

  • Picnic
  • Dogs OK
  • Free entry
Footbridge over a waterfall in a Johannesburg nature garden
Johannesburg region · representative photo, not this trail

Delta Park

Victory Park, Johannesburg · 5.5 km away · easy

A free, dog-friendly green space in Victory Park with three tree-lined dams, walking trails and the Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary.

  • Picnic
  • Dogs OK
  • Free entry
Footbridge over a waterfall in a Johannesburg nature garden
Johannesburg region · representative photo, not this trail

Golden Harvest Park

Northgate, Johannesburg · 12 km away

Official JCPZ 55-hectare fenced park near Northgate Dome: walks around a dam and bushveld, iron-smelting koppie, guard at the gate. There is an entrance fee — confirm the current amount.

Hike at your own risk. Trail conditions change — weather, fire damage, water crossings and rockfalls can make a route unsafe with little or no notice. Distance, difficulty and other details here are compiled from public sources and may be outdated. Always verify current conditions with the relevant park or reserve authority before setting out, and hike within your own ability.