Braamfontein Spruit (Closest City/Town: Emmarentia)
DISTANCE » Options up to 40km
0 - 5 RATING »
(Riding Enjoyment)
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GRADING »
EASY MODERATE DIFFICULT EXTREME
[ OVERVIEW ]
Facilities
Picnicking can be done along most of the trail, but especially at the Sandton Field and Study Centre, Delta Park and Emmarentia Dam where there are more formal facilities for jogging, rowing and canoeing, dog-walking, bird watching and picnicking. Emmarentia Dam houses the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens with its various theme gardens and a tea-room. An open air amphitheatre, the Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary, conferencing and function facilities, and environmental resource centre, a natural history museum and scientific discovery centre (located at the Delta Environmental Centre) and sensory trail for the blind and disabled may all be found at Delta Park. Horse riders can be accommodated at the Sandton Field and Study Centre.
Security
Cyclists have been consistently and violently attacked along the Spruit since 1997. Never ride this route alone or even in pairs. Always be vigilant and ride in a large group of five or more. Be very cautious when crossing the major arterial roads bisecting the route such as Jun Smuts Avenue and William Nicol Drive. Due to heavy traffic, it is more practical to dismount and walk your bike across these roads. Emmarentia Dam is a safe, access-controlled section of the Spruit. You’ll find car guards for safe parking at all the parking lots around Emmarentia Dam. Beware of flash flooding. Never attempt to cross the Braamfontein Spruit when it is in full spate.
Maps: Refer to Map Studio’s Gauteng Central Street Guide
Rated by: Susanna Mills
On your bike
This is one of Johannesburg’s most prominent greenbelts, starting on Melville Koppies in the south, and ending in Paulshof in the north. From south to north, the Braamfontein Spruit traverses the Emmarentia, Parkhurst, Craighall, Riverclub, Bryanston and Rivonia suburbs. Virtually the entire ride is along singletrack footpaths, next to the Spruit, except where tar roads must be crossed or where palisade security fences have been erected. Due to its accessibility, it is most convenient for recreation or for those who wish to commute on a bicycle away from the traffic to or from any of the CBD nodes. Cycle with your children in Jan van Riebeeck Park above and around Emmarentia Dam – arrive and depart early before the crowds of dog walkers. As this is an open public area in the middle of a major metropolis, except to encounter loitering, pollution, illegal dumping, drinking and gambling, in varying measure.
Off your bike
The Botanical Gardens at Emmarentia have beautiful water features and are perfect for a relaxing picnic. Wedding photos are taken there every weekend. In the same park, you can walk or ride with your dogs in the extensive open area off Orange Road.
CONTACT
Route Information: John Kruger, Johannesburg City Parks Head Office
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.joburg.org.za
[ FAST FACTS ]
GRADING: Easy to Intermediate
DURATION: Various options
CONFIGURATION :
START POINT: Various starting points depending on how far you wish to ride include Emmarentia Dam, Delta Park Environmental Centre.
TERRAIN: Single-track footpaths
MAP: Refer to Map Studio's Gauteng Central Street Guide
MORE INFORMATION:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Public access between 06h00 and 18h00
FACILITIES: Picnicking along most of the trail route, facilities at Emmarentia Dam for jogging, rowing, canoeing, bird watching. Emmarentia Dam also houses the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens.
BEWARE OF: Never ride this route alone, always in a large group of 5 or more. Be very cautious when crossing the major arterial roads. Beware of flash flooding. Never attempt to cross the Braamfontein Spruit when it is in full spate.
