Johannesburg is blessed with a number of large green lungs intersected by meandering streams. Here is a selection of the best, with superb views to help counter the stress of city life. As with any large city though, be cautious when walking in parks — don't carry valuables with you and never walk alone.

Melville Koppies
There's a myriad of paths in the western section of the Koppies, open from sunrise to sunset with great views and walks up to 4km along grassy slopes and rocky ridges.

The main entrance to this section is at the end of 3rd Street, Westdene, where you can park your car safely. The central Melville Koppies section, with its Iron Age furnace and criss-crossing paths, is open three Sundays each month for three hours. You can park opposite the entrance at Marks Park Sports Club in Judith Road, Emmarentia.
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Little Falls Ridge
Park at the end of Malachite Street in Little Falls and take a walk along a set of koppies where gold was originally discovered on the Witwatersrand by the Struben brothers. After your walk, take in the nearby old workings of the mine — called Confidence Reef by the brothers, despite the fact that the gold only lasted a year before drying up. What's left is a series of shallow tunnels, locked but available for tours.
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Thokoza Park
Walk the paved footpaths of Thokoza Park in Rockville in Soweto, which includes the recently rejuvenated Moroka Dam, a rocky pond and fountain, picnic areas and large grassy lawns. The park is a block away from the famous Regina Mundi Church, so include this landmark in your walk, and savour the bird life and leafy trees along the way.
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Klipriviersberg ramble
Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve is a 615-hectare reserve 11 kilometres south of the city, open from sunrise to sunset for unguided rambles. If you prefer a guide, walks of around three hours are organised every second and fourth Sunday of the month.

Zebra, reedbuck, wildebeest and hartebeest were introduced in 2003, so prepare for a bit of game spotting too. The reserve is supervised by horse patrols, with a guard at the parking area in Frandaph Drive, Mondeor, from where the walks begin. Walks start at 9am from May to September and at 8am the rest of the year. Phone John James on 011 682 3459 for more details.
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Walter Sisulu walk
The entirely indigenous Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, 25 kilometres west of the city centre, offers several wonderful walks. One of the best is up to the top of a 70-metre high waterfall, with a view down on the nest of a pair of breeding Black Eagles.

The garden is in Malcolm Road, Poortview, Roodepoort. It's open from 8am to 6pm, including weekends and public holidays. Entry fee is R15 for adults, and R7 for students and children. Dogs are not permitted. Phone (011) 958 1750 for more details.
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Delta Park
One of Johannesburg's biggest green lungs, Delta Park offers 107 hectares of grassland and woodlands to explore. There are several dams in the park and spots to spy the birds. If you're in for a longer walk, go right down to the park's southern border and walk along the Braamfontein Spruit, Johannesburg's major stream. There's safe parking at the Environmental Centre in the centre of the park, reached via Road No 5 in Victory Park. There's also a short sensory trail alongside the centre.
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Smuts' trail
This 2-3km trail at ex-prime minister Jan Smuts's house in Irene, 40km north of Joburg, takes you to the top of Smuts' contemplative koppie behind his house. Top off a tour of his charming wood and iron house with refreshments at the nearby tearoom. Take in the quaint Irene village, and perhaps catch the Irene Market, held on the second and last Saturday of each month.

To get there, take the N1 north towards Centurion/Pietersburg, then take the second offramp after the intersection at Botha Ave and turn right — Irene is on the right hand side. Find all the details on the Irene village website.

Emmarentia Dam
Located at the north-east side of the 81-hectare park the sparkling dam is a popular destination for energetic canoeists and small-boat enthusiasts. The vast green surrounds are equally as popular with dog walkers, bikers and runners. In the northern section, take a pleasant stroll through a rose garden, indigenous herb patch, or view an amazing collection of succulents at the Johannesburg Botanic Gardens. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, and there's safe parking just over the bridge, or in Thomas Bowler Road.
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The Wilds
One of the oldest parks in the city, The Wilds offers Joburgers 40 acres of indigenous plants, shrubs and trees and beautifully laid stone pathways to wander, up and down the koppies of the Parktown ridge. The paths crisscross the west and east side, the latter slightly wilder than the west, with its lush green lawns and pretty ponds.

The Wilds is throwing off its dangerous reputation, with guards now patrolling, and secure parking, but still be cautious — walk in groups, don't carry valuables and, if you need to, ask one of the guards to accompany you while you admire the view of Hillbrow to the south, and Sandton City to the north, while getting a good workout.

Local walker TJ de Klerk is keen to get people walking The Wilds, so phone him any time on 082 554 9972 and ask him to re-introduce you to the wonders of The Wilds.

Published courtesy of www.joburg.org.za.