Faerie Glen Nature Reserve: The (Fabulous) Default

This was a very last-minute hike with my son, Pepper.

Let me start by saying - I have answers.

So many answers.

I suffered so you should not.

You are welcome.

Monaghan Farm Trail: WTF???

Firstly, “Monaghan Farm trail” - apparently not a thing.

Not in Monaghan Farm.

Not near Monaghan Farm.

Not casually tucked behind the charming entrance to Monaghan Farm..

It's like Bigfoot - only less believable.

Secondly - perhaps, I thought, another hiking trail in the near vicinity? Seeing as we had already driven all the way there.

Also not a thing.

Apparently suburbia does not spontaneously generate nature experiences just because I really, really want them to.

Rude.

Thirdly, if one is emotionally stable enough to commit to another 30-minute drive, Faerie Glen Nature Reserve is, in fact, highly suggested.

For those of you who know me by now - you’ve no doubt already filled in the blanks.

Last-Minute.Com

Pepper and I had already done Faerie Glen Nature Reserve a while back, so naturally my thinking was:

No hike… absolutely bloody not.

A repeat of something I actually enjoyed the first time?

Something nearby?

Nearby-ish.

Nearby in the philosophical sense.

Fine - the closest option.

Let's go.

Waze vs. Faerie Glen: Round Two

I confidently (always) Wazed “Faerie Glen.”

We arrived in the area.

Not the reserve.

The suburb.

Yes. The residential one.

Houses. Driveways. No entrance gate.

Also no people wearing hiking shoes.

Apparently I had learned nothing from our last trip there.

So for the third detour of the day, we finally - finally - located the actual reserve.

Which, in fairness, had been there the entire time.

Just not where I told Waze to take us.

A Suburban Gem (Even in the Drizzle)

I received such an incredible response to my last post about Faerie Glen.

For a brief moment it felt like I’d uncovered some secret hiking treasure.

Relax, Karen — I’m not claiming I discovered it.

Just that it briefly felt like I had.

Because this place?

It’s a suburban gem.

The intermittent drizzle made it borderline magical.

Damp wooden bridges.

Misty trails.

That soft grey sky that makes everything look like a fairy tale.

For a nature reserve tucked into the heart of Pretoria suburbia, it has absolutely no business being this good.

And yet - it is.

The 4.1 km Trail

There are several route options, but we chose the 4.1 km trail (which somehow clocked 4.6 km by the end - funny how that happens).

It’s well-maintained and genuinely enjoyable.

You will find short, sharp inclines.

Some technical sections.

Sweeping viewpoints overlooking the city.

Benches perfectly placed for those who need to rest.

It’s peaceful.

It’s tranquil.

It’s the kind of reserve that makes you forget you’re still very much in the suburbs.

The Steep “Alternate Route”

This time, we decided to try what we thought was apparently a steep “alternate route.”

It was steep.

There was scrambling involved.

And by “scrambling,” I mean I used all fours.

Pepper, meanwhile, glided up the slope on two legs like a graceful little mountain goat.

Youth. Tragically wasted on the young.

We reached the top victorious and mildly breathless - only to realise we had absolutely no idea where the trail continued.

So naturally, we went back down.

And let me just say - a steep incline is one personality.

A steep, slightly technical decline? Entirely different temperament.

We eventually rejoined the main trail, still unclear whether we had conquered an official “alternate route” or simply invented our own adventurous detour.

Either way… it was fun.

The River

This time, possibly because I now obsessively photograph everything, I noticed a river.

A whole river.

How I missed it before remains unclear.

Perhaps last time I was distracted by the herd of zebra that casually greeted us like we were on safari.

Yes. Zebra.

At Faerie Glen.

This time? No wildlife.

Not even a squirrel.

In Conclusion

Faerie Glen is still entrenched as one of my favourite suburban hikes.

It’s accessible, scenic, virtually free and it gives you just enough elevation to feel accomplished.

Would absolutely recommend it.

Would I put “Faerie Glen Nature Reserve” into Waze - in full - next time?

Yes.

Yes, I would.

RATINGS

Trail Information

AREA

Pretoria

COST

R 24 ....yes, really

Trail Details

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

You have choices.

There are definitely options for hikers who simply want a lovely walk in nature.

TRAIL LENGTH

We clocked in at 4.6 km

TRAIL MARKERS

Not awful...impossible to get lost lost

WEATHER CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER

Large parts of the trail are nicely sheltered.

ABLUTIONS

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES

None

WILDLIFE & BIRD LIFE

In theory… just not for us this time

NOTE TO SELF

Your beginner’s luck - the one where you don’t phone ahead and everything just magically falls into place - has officially expired.

We had a good run.

It was reckless.

It was thrilling.

From here on out?

Phone ahead.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Yes

PET FRIENDLY

Yes - on lead  (the pet, not the family).

An annual renewable permit is required for fuzzballs.

ON A FINAL NOTE

This ticks all the boxes for a Suburban hike - and now - apparently, a river that has always been there but only recently revealed itself to me.

Before I confidently attempt Round Two — can someone confirm whether Monaghan Farm has an actual trail?

Not a lifestyle estate.

Not a brochure promising “outdoor living.”

An actual, walkable trail.

Asking for myself.

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

(TO)SOLO