Groenkloof Nature Reserve - Safe, yes/no

[FUKNUK]

Good Day Cyclist

 

Anybody been cycle at Groenkloof recently? Is there still safety issues?

 

Regards

[BaGearA]

Unless in a group of 5 or bigger I wouldn't

 

Also I can't imagine any maintenance happening there so the trails are probably going to be bad at best

[peetwindhoek]

Loads of hikers, not many mtb (report from friend that went a week or 2 ago).

I think there was an incident not too long ago?

[River Rat]

Last incident was in August last year and I have no idea of the current trails or safety other than to speculate that there's a lot more desperate people out there so be careful.

[Mojoman]

Last incident was in August last year and I have no idea of the current trails or safety other than to speculate that there's a lot more desperate people out there so be careful.

For the first time in 26 years of living where I am I feel a little apprehensive when I run/cycle these days (or just leaving my house to be honest)...I'm seeing a lot more sketchy looking individuals with pliers and empty mielie meal bags roaming the veld...lots of fence droppers going....wire.......and who knows what their next target will be. Just be a bit more vigilant out there now........

[Trevz]

Groenkloof is a write off...I don't even think of it anymore...PTA has enough good alternatives which are safe.

[roodie]

Such a pity when started cycling 7 years ago Groenkloof was my favorite and I used to go there every SATURDAY and it was packed with cyclists and hikers  now its a dangerous ghost town

[MORNE]

Such a pity when started cycling 7 years ago Groenkloof was my favorite and I used to go there every SATURDAY and it was packed with cyclists and hikers  now its a dangerous ghost town

same. used to ride there exclusively. we lived in Eastwood literally right next to the union buildings so riding there on a Saturday morning and doing a loop in one of the only "trail" networks at the time was way fun. I have some trail runner friends who live on the other side of the park in centurion's side and have or had private access via a gate on that side. they also don't run in there anymore for the same reasons. Sad.

 

edit: back then only the evil giraffes wanted to murder you 

Edited July 17, 2020 by morneS555

[madmarc]

I havn't ridden there for ages, but i sometimes wonder who looks after the wild animals in the reserve - wonder how long t will be before they get poached for bush meat - My last ride early one morning we came across a herd of about 12 Sable antelope all standing in the road - was fantastic to just stand there and watch them - Never even seen such big herd of Sable in the Kruger.

[CAAD4]

Used to be lekker riding there, despite the instant coffee on sale at the shack. Damn pity.

[FUKNUK]

Thanks all for commenting.

 

I also haven't been there in ages. Started cycling again and that was my local trail i went to everyday with my yearly pass. I remember the nice trails at the bottom at fountains side as well.

 

Its a pity its all lost now cause i went there at least 5 times a week - talking about 8-9 years ago

 

All the other places are too far to drive to everyday.

[roodie]

I even got chased by the Male giraffe when they were still their 

 

SO much potential at that place and with some initiative can be turned into an amazing riding , hiking and trail running  spot 

[T_Boss]

It is really really sad that I have to agree with you on this. Groenkloof was incredible, and its such a gem to have a space like that in the middle of the capital city. It really is a great loss for the tax paying citizens of the city

 

Groenkloof is a write off...I don't even think of it anymore...PTA has enough good alternatives which are safe.

[Doring]

Just to be certain - are they still open en welcoming to cyclists? Trails maintained to any degree? 

 

And did the decline happen gradually in terms of safety/crime or was there a precipitating event?

I also have fond memories or starting MTB at Groenkloof - it was so busy at one point on the weekend, I would remember a literal train of riders going past you if you stopped to catch your breath on the side of the trail. 

Edited July 24, 2020 by Doring

[kosmonooit]

Yeah, miss that place. The decline started with the forced change of management, if I remember correctly.

 

The guys who used to run that place were passionate about nature, public service and also safety, the fences, trails, facilities were maintained etc. You could hire a bike. You could have a boerie roll.  A picnic.

 

You could wonder there anywhere and sit under  a tree for a few hours and enjoy the silence, and not worry about safety.

[ACM]

Just to be certain - are they still open en welcoming to cyclists? Trails maintained to any degree?

 

 

You can stil cycle there, but the trails are horrible. Much of the single track is gone; grass all over. S-bender is unridable. I rode ther just before lockdown and it was very very disappointing to see the trails neglected to the point that it is no fun riding there. I mean, thw big roads (like union hill) is still rideable, but the single track sections not.

 

The only way it can be resuscitated is if MTBikers pitch up in hundreds... which is unlikely to happen.