Faerie Glen Nature Reserve

What a hidden gem in Pretoria. The entrance is just a bit more than 20 rands so it’s quite cheap and absolutely worth it. The hiking paths are mostly well maintained and very enjoyable. I managed to go all around the park on 2 of those in approximately 2 hours but took my time to enjoy the wildlife there! And it is also absolutely worth it. The view from the peaks is really sweet and a good plus. It’s also quite accessible for at least one of them. Expect to see zebras quite easily.

This was our first trip but likely not our last. We got there later than we'd have preferred and immediately hiked to the top of the "mountain" to the lookout. That trek is quite steep but paved nearly all the way. We're talking zone 2 and zone 3 heart rate steep for relatively fit people. The view from the top is outstanding and totally worth it. We continued on the "loop" route and eventually found ourselves back on the low elevation and along the creek. The bird life, in late January, was vibrant and sing-song. We got some relatively close glimpses of Red hartebeest two times and zebras right on the way out. The flowers were gorgeous and many colors and varieties were on do display even as we're headed to later summer.

I really enjoyed the hike we took on the steep terrain. It was challenging, but it was definitely worth it once we reached the top. The views were incredibly beautiful and refreshing. I did notice that the demarcations are not very clear, and we almost got lost at one point, but overall it is a very good terrain.

The entrance is about R24, really cheap and inexpensive for what you get. Organised and well mapped trails, we did the 4.1km trail and although it was a little difficult, there’s benches along the way to rest and enjoy the scenes. Peaceful and tranquil nature reserve, it’s my go to reserve for trail running and hikes. There’s buck and zebras, there’s a bird watching tower, it’s all around great and safe and well mapped. Bring comfortable shoes, and a trekking poles, going down the hill can be hard on the knees.

​Faerie Glen showed us its moody side today! The overcast weather created the most beautiful soft light for this family session. From the damp wooden bridge to the misty trails every shot felt like a scene from a storybook. If you are looking for a versatile, secure and naturally stunning outdoor location for your next photo session, look no further than Faerie Glen Nature Reserve. Whether it’s sunny or moody and overcast this Pretoria gem never fails to deliver a beautiful backdrop.

Service wasn't too friendly but still helpful. There isn't any shop or restaurant available but the hiking trials are clean, well marked and ranges in difficulty. Dog friendly if your dog is on a leash and there is a fee to pay as well (R140 I think).

Beautiful nature reserve with a lot of birds and wildlife! There’s a small entrance fee but I’m more than happy to pay that for the park to be safe and clean. This is also a great area to go walk your dogs! Definitely worth a visit if you’re close by!