JODEV FARM:Dog-Friendly Off -Lead Trail Worth Wagging About

jeeksparties8
Aug 21
3 min read

Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails: The Ones That Make You Stay Forever

The previous day was Rustig — a mountain less about drop-dead gorgeous views and more about drop dead, I’ve lost my lungs. Brutal, relentless, character-building — but "I made it". You conquer the climb, stand on top, feel like a gangsta… and then immediately think: “Great. Now can I go home?”

This hike, though? Warm. Fuzzy. No mountains, just glorious hills. More of a walk than a climb, the kind of trail where you think: I don’t want to go home; I want to live here forever.

Every hike has its place. Rustig brought pain and power. This one brought peace and joy. And honestly? I need both — one to break me down, the other to build me back up.

Hiking Jodev Farms with Dogs: Off-Leash Bliss

This morning’s escapade was at Jodev Farms, featuring the return of Boris — the four-legged monarch of my hiking chronicles. Think of it as The Godfather: Part II, but with more drool and fewer horse heads.

Don’t tell Benson. He’s still too squishy, too baby-faced, and — uuuuum — oh....not mine. Salt, if you’re reading this, he’s your emotional support marshmallow, not my problem. Also, no way was I risking an hour-long solo drive with him. My car, my sanity.

But Boris? Absolute legend. He strutted around like he owned the hills — tail high, tongue out, living his absolute best life. The trails are doggy heaven: wide open, peaceful, and full of space to run wild. Just remember though — leashes on near the coffee shop and road. Otherwise, it’s off-leash freedom, pure chaos, and dogs can live their best uncensored lives.

Hiking With Dogs: The Art of Being in Control

So my history with dogs? Spoil them. Ruin them. (Honestly, kids too.) Boris is so well-behaved it makes me question my entire pet (and human) parenting philosophy.

Over a post-hike cappuccino at the Farm Stall, Boris’s mom — yes, still unnamed, but another hike and she’ll have earned her name in these chronicles — generously dropped training tips. Did I nod along like a diligent student? Absolutely. Will I actually train Benson? Doubtful.

Balance, I tell myself, will be supplied by Salt and Nutmeg (his real parents, not the spice rack).

Doggie Play Date

Next time? We’re plotting a venue where Benson can tag along — meaning play-dates, fur chaos, and me pretending I have Benson under control while secretly turning into Oprah with the treats.

“You get a treat! You get a treat! Everybody gets a treat!”

Trail Information

AREA - Krugersdorp

COST - R50

Trail Details

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

Easy

TRAIL LENGTH

A 3 km and 5 km which can be combined.

TRAIL MARKERS

Not awful. But honestly? Even if they weren’t, you’d still be fine. You’d have to actively try to get lost there.

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

Wide-open spaces, surrounded by beautiful hills, silence, and just enough zen to make you want to stay forever.

WEATHER CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER

Open trails, so pack water — for your fur-ball and yourself.

ABLUTIONS

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES

Farm Stall: Organic goodies— basically your pantry’s dream. (Fine. I caved. Benson’s got treats. Damn you, Salt.)

Coffee shop

Kiddies play area

Farm tours and stays

WILDLIFE & BIRD LIFE

I don't know if this counts, but … the porcupine we stumbled across on the trail.

Boris’s mom, in her infinite wisdom, first assured me assured me it was “definitely just sleeping.” Then quickly added, “And if not, it died peacefully of old age.” I accepted this. Blissfully.

NOTE TO SELF

Boris’s mom was very specific: “No, without lead — no good for Boris.”

At first, I thought I’d just found a picky new hiking pal. Then I realized: no, I’ve found a hiking pal who’s going to force me to broaden my horizons — explore new trails, new challenges. So basically, growth disguised as a dog-friendly trail explorer — except Boris is clearly the explorer, and I’m just the idiot incessantly Googling “dog friendly AND off-leash trails near me.”

So… thank you, Boris's mom. I think...Ugh. Growth is so inconvenient.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

100%

PET FRIENDLY

1000% — no leads required, freedom guaranteed

ON A FINAL NOTE

We were early. The only humans there. Perfect. Exactly what we loved: two humans and a fur nugget, wanting to be alone… but together, on a trail. I imagine it gets busier later, but honestly — plenty of room to roam.