Little Falls Hike: A Free, Dog Friendly Gem

What an absolutely perfect way to start a long weekend.

Not with rest, obviously - don’t be ridiculous.

Do you even know me??

I set out with Basil (personal assistant to Boris, who has now been recognized on trails twice and is clearly one post away from needing an agent), Lavender (a last-minute addition), and Boris - the off-lead king of canines and, frankly, the only one operating with a clear life plan.

Little Falls made the list purely because the name sounded so wholesome.

I’d noticed it en route to Kloofendal Nature Reserve - literally across the road. and once I heard it was dog-friendly, it was immediately upgraded to Boris-certified.

Parking

Someone had mentioned we park at the Reserve and walk across.

The guards were delighted to have our car.

Boris? Denied.

Apparently, he does not qualify as wildlife.

A technicality, really.

So there I stood at the entrance with a very handsome and increasingly betrayed Boris, who had decided Basil had abandoned him forever and I was now his emotional support human.

Tension levels: high (his), slightly lower (mine).

Meanwhile, Basil came sprinting back like she’d just remembered a life-or-death errand - arms full of bags (mine included, which I had gracefully forgotten) and enough water to sustain a small village.

Lavender, naturally, was somewhere behind, left in the dust.

The Climb

The trail begins with an incline. Not a gentle “ease into it” situation - no, straight into lungs exploding.

Within only minutes of starting, you turn around and are greeted with a view that suggests you’ve climbed something far more impressive than you actually have.

With every step, the suburbs spread out below in a way that feels unnecessarily dramatic.

This is the point where where we abandoned any fitness narrative and accepted the truth - we were there for the views.

The exercise was an unfortunate side effect.

Summit Views

Eventually, you reach the top - and suddenly it’s a full 360° situation.

Genuinely stunning.

In the distance, the Sandton and Johannesburg skylines make an appearance, just to remind you that you are, in fact, still in the city.

It just doesn’t feel like it, which is the entire appeal.

We lingered - longer than necessary.

Exactly as intended.

What Trail?

At some point, Basil did what Basil does - asking questions like, “Is that Pretoria?”

My role in these moments is to say “Huh?” and contribute nothing of value.

But this time, she found Lavender.

Someone who engages.

Someone who has thoughts.

Suddenly there was a full geography symposium happening while I focused on what I know best - staying upright on rocks and taking photos like I’d been hired by tourism.

Somewhere along the way, we collectively stopped caring whether we were still on the actual trail.

It’s that kind of place - very relaxed, very little concern for directions.

You just wander and trust that you’ll eventually re-enter civilisation.

Ideally near your car.

We eventually emerged onto a road at a completely different point than we started, only to realise it’s also a starting point for the trail.

So technically… we were right the whole time.,,,,probably.

The final stretch was along the road, which should have ruined the mood, but somehow didn’t.

If anything, it added to the slightly surreal experience of feeling deep in nature while being very much in the middle of suburbia.

Honestly? This hike had no right to be that good.

Ridiculous views, just enough incline to feel mildly accomplished and the kind of freedom where the concept of a “route” becomes more of a suggestion than a rule.

Add excellent company and Boris - who, as always, conducted himself like the professional he is - and we had the perfect start to a long weekend.

RATINGS

Trail Information

AREA

Roodepoort

COST

Free (our favourite price point)

Trail Details

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

Not flat. At all.

Rocks that demand respect.

TRAIL LENGTH

Around 6.5 km

TRAIL MARKERS

Present in theory.

Irrelevant in practice.

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

Great views, enough challenge to feel smug about it afterwards, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.

WEATHER CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER

No shade...at all.

ABLUTIONS

Available if you use the reserve.

SAFE FREE PARKING

The reserve

AMENITIES

None. Bring your own everything

WILDLIFE & BIRD LIFE

Birds yes.

NOTE TO SELF

If the name feels unnecessarily charming, just go.

Consequences are character-building.

PET FRIENDLY

Yes. Boris approves, which is the only review that matters

ON A FINAL NOTE

It’s been decided - we will be returning.

There are plans.

Big ones.

But also - if you have a full day and a reasonable amount of energy - you can do both: the reserve and Little Falls.

Two genuinely great trails.

Both Free.

The choice is yours. (It’s obvious, though.)

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

(NO)SOLO - unless you enjoy navigating hills, rocks, and your own decisions alone.