Who knew 130 kilometres of trails could feel like a holiday escape… right in the middle of Joburg?
Johannesburg, South Africa (03 October 2025) – Sometimes the very best adventures are right on your doorstep… you just need to hop on a bike (or grab a pair of walking shoes) to find them. Last weekend, I discovered one of Johannesburg’s most incredible secrets and I can’t stop talking about it. It’s called the Jozi Trails and you need to experience it for yourself.
We cycled almost 50 kilometres from Melrose Arch through Delta Park, up Northcliff Hill, across to Parkhurst and beyond. Most of the time, I had no clue where I was… it honestly felt like I’d stumbled into a foreign country. Except instead of passport control, there were mountain bikers, gravel riders, e-bikes buzzing by, families strolling with pups, friends clutching takeaway coffees and even horses… just casually hanging out in the middle of the city.
It was beautiful, it was unexpected and it was so wonderfully Jozi.
At the heart of this adventure lies the Braamfontein Spruit, Johannesburg’s longest stretch of municipal parkland, around 37km that snakes through the city. It forms part of the largest urban forest in the world. To the thousands who walk, cycle, hike, run and picnic there each year, it’s already a beloved gem. But as magical as it is, the Spruit has also needed a bit of TLC.
That’s where the team behind Jozi Trails stepped in. Established by a group of passionate Joburgers, Jozi Trails is a non-profit partnership with Johannesburg City Parks & Zoo (JCPZ). Their mission? To uplift, maintain and expand the trail network, making it safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for everyone.
The city alone doesn’t have the funding to grow the Spruit into its full potential as a safe, world-class outdoor hub. So Jozi Trails stepped up to fill the gap, inspired by international models like Hyde Park in London and Central Park in New York, where partnerships keep public green spaces thriving. Whether you’re a daily commuter cutting through on a bike, kids kicking a ball after school, friends meeting for a Saturday stroll, or birdwatchers soaking up the quiet, the Spruit is for everyone. And Jozi Trails is making sure it stays that way.
The work isn’t small. From fixing accident “hot spots” and adding proper signage, to restoring eroded pathways and sorting out tricky drainage issues, every improvement makes the space safer and more enjoyable.
The team is piloting their efforts at Delta Park, one of Joburg’s busiest open spaces, before rolling out across the full network. Long-term, the vision is bold: upgraded and expanded trails linking Soweto, Midrand and the Cradle of Humankind; new opportunities for eco-tourism; job creation projects and a thriving inner-city green corridor that connects communities.
As Jozi Trails explains, “Our idea is to improve the management and maintenance of the Spruit and regenerate the natural and man-made facilities which visitors come to enjoy. So we’re starting with improving the trails and increasing safety. After that, we’ll be looking at initiatives to capitalise on the Spruit’s potential as a tourist destination and create job opportunities.”
Yes, Joburg has its challenges. Yes, safety is always part of the conversation. But riding those trails, surrounded by people, laughter, wagging tails, steaming coffee cups and even the occasional horse, reminded me just how much beauty there is here.
The Jozi Trails network already stretches around 130 to 140 kilometres (depending on who you ask mid-ride!). And while I only tackled a fraction of it, it left me in awe of what’s possible when passionate people come together to make a difference.
So, if you’re looking for an adventure that feels far away but is right in the middle of Joburg, grab a bike, a pair of running shoes, or simply your curiosity.
The Spruit is waiting.
And it’s spectacular.
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