Faerie Glen: Zebras, Steep Climbs, and Surprising Delights

Faerie Glen: How did this little gem make it onto my list, you ask? Well, thank Cinnamon, my new hiking buddy, who—ironically—has barely hiked.

The reason I chose this trail for Pepper and me was because I had plans to head to Hartbeespoort in the late afternoon for a sleepover before an early, grueling hike the next day. Look at me—sounding all travel-savvy and adventurous! I hardly recognize myself these days. Who is this person? Next, I’ll need to figure out how not to have my stomach in my throat in the lead-up to these long-distance hikes, and then, maybe, just maybe, I’ll officially christen myself “The New Me.” Stay tuned.

Anyway... I digress. Faerie Glen was nearby. (Did I just call Pretoria “nearby”? Excuse me—huh? New bloody me, I tell you. Used to need a passport and a packed lunch for a trip like that.) Plus, since Cinnamon survived it, I assumed it was flat, short, and easy—clocking in at under 5km. Perfect.

And, as usual, I was mostly right. It was short, yes. But the longer route came with a little surprise: unexpected inclines. A pleasant surprise? Absolutely!

From the get-go, we were greeted by a posse of stunning zebras—just hanging out, basking in their own beauty, and (wait for it) not running away in terror when Pepper and I approached. Already, Faerie Glen was scoring points. Wildlife that doesn’t sprint at the sight of us? I was sold. The hike could have ended right there!

But it did not.....wham.....that incline smacked you right in the face about two seconds after you saw the zebras. No wonder they didn’t bother fleeing—they were too busy enjoying the free entertainment of knowing what we were in for.

The incline is paved. No rocks to step over, no scrambling— no cheating for gasps of air - just straight-up and for those of us with breathing difficulties (and by “us,” I mean “me”), it can be a lung buster. Totally manageable, though, and short-lived.

You have options here—flat, scenic trails to reconnect with friends, or the “Kiepersol” route for those in need of a mild challenge. We took the Kiepersol trail, and it didn’t disappoint.

The path down is rocky yet entirely doable. The shady trees, making most of the hike feel pleasantly cool, even on warmer days. Toward the end, the shade gives way to open terrain, but by then, you’re almost done. For us, it really was not awful, as we had fairly cool weather to what we had been having, and it was still early.

For those feeling less fit (hi, again), the climb might be a challenge but totally worth it for the sweeping views of Pretoria East at the top. It’s the kind of spot where you stop, breathe (finally), and let the scenery convince you this was all a good idea.

There are benches scattered through the trail to rest and bask in the peace, and there are picnic areas. But consider yourself warned—there are ants. Lots of BIG ants.

Would I recommend Faerie Glen? Absolutely. It’s a short, fairly shaded, and unexpectedly delightful trail, even if the paved incline at the start takes you by surprise.

The trail was fairly busy, but really remained peaceful despite that.

RATING

AREA - Pretoria

COST

R 21 per adult (very reasonable, though Google has some differing prices).

Oh, and no cash.

DIFFICULTY

Depends on your trail choice. It’s great for beginners or anyone feeling… uh, less fit (hello, me again). The climb is definitely a challenge but isn’t going to make my “brutal inclines” list anytime soon.

As proof that it’s manageable, we saw someone jogging it—both ways. Yes, we silently judged him.

LENGTH 

2.5 km (you can choose steep or easy) or 4.1 km

TIME - 1 1/2 hours

ELEVATION -  159 m

MARKERS - excellent!

HIGHLIGHTS 

The Zebras

ABLUTIONS - Good

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES 

None that I could see.

ON A FINAL NOTE

Such a pretty trail with lots of shade and an unexpected sense of peace—especially considering you’re smack in the middle of Pretoria.

Bonus points for the abundance of dustbins along the trail and for allowing dogs (on leashes).

Verdict? Worth the trip, even if I had to admit Pretoria is nearby. Still getting used to this “new me.”