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Time Out

12 best Southern Suburb green trails not on the mountain

Alphen Trail Lazy hike rating: 3/5 Probably one of the most popular trails in Contantia, the Alphen Trail links up many of the greenbelts in the valley and follows the Diep River. While you can hike the whole length of it for a proper but easy hike, most people just do sections of it, with many entrances between its starting point, Alphen Drive, and sort-of end point in Brommersvlei. Its scenery is lush with forests and water points, and you'll also pass a few horses on the way. It's important to note that it can become one of the busiest walks during peak times, especially with dogs and children, but also means it's one of the safest as well. Klaasenbosch Trail Lazy hike rating: 5/5 Next to one of the Alphen entrances is the shady Klaasenbosch trail, covered almost entirely by a forest canopy. While dogs and people are allowed, the trail has high horse traffic with very uneven ground to walk, so your furry friends will have to be on a leash at all times. Luckily, there are more human-friendly roads on the side of the main horse trail, and it has wide easy parking access that's off the main road. You might even be lucky enough to catch the tune of the mysterious Knysna Warbler! Constantia Cemetery Lazy hike rating: 5/5 If you're looking for a different kind of walk with many discoveries, take a short meander through the Constantia Cemetery on Parish Road. Across from a play park, the old cemetery starts off with a cluster of old graves hailing from the early 1900s, including a few Commonwealth war graves, and slowly starts becoming more dispersed the further down you walk. New burials aren't allowed there, so you won't be running into any funerals, though it's more suited for the more historically-minded rather than the nature lover. Keurboom Park Lazy hike rating: 5/5 There are a hundred different ways to take a walk through the expansive Keurboom Park in Rondebosch, filled with play parks, a variety of trees and well-placed benches for when you want to stare off into the distance. As dog and kid-friendly as it can get (though certain children's sections are marked off for canines), the park's ponds are also home to the Froggy Five, where you can help researchers track the populations by uploading photos of them to iNaturalist. Diep River Greenbelt Lazy Hike Rating 3/5 Across from another Alphen Trail entrance is the Diep River Greenbelt, an extension of the main trail as it follows the river to its end. A less popular section as people opt for the Alphen side, this is more of a sun-walk with little covering and more grass fields and reedy wetlands on the side. It also has stunning views of the mountains as you eventually end up (depending on which side you start) at the entrance of the Cecelia Forest Walk, which is a more demanding mountain walk with a rewarding waterfall if the Southern Suburb trails are too easy for you. Tokai Forest Lazy hike rating: 4/5 On the edge of the Southern Suburbs and part of the Table Mountain National Park, the famous Tokai Forest is an incredibly popular loop with a few trail options and entrances. The middle is covered by fynbos and there's still a large pine tree section that survived the past devastating fires. However, there are sporadic controlled fires needed for maintenance, so there will be burnt spots on your walk. As part of SANParks, they might be stricter with dogs as you are only allowed two per person. The best part about a morning Tokai Forest walk though, is grabbing a coffee and a bite from the Secret Forest Café near the trees, but the lines can get long quickly. In winter, the trails also become a muddy mess, so remember to bring your messy-friendly shoes. Silverhurst Trail Lazy hike rating: 5/5 In the heart of the Constantia Valley is the short Silverhurst Trail, which you can easily walk the full length of in under 40 minutes. It meanders next to the small Keysers River, grassy patches perfect for running and forested sections that offer shade. It's also right across from the Sillery Walk entrance/exit, and offers a quieter walk with the doggos if you're not keen on the crowds of Alphen. Maynardville Park Lazy hike rating: 5/5 For most Capetonians, Shakespeare and theatre are the first things that come to mind when you mention Maynardville Park in Wynberg. However, outside of the drama, the park also offers short, easy walks with a great birdwatching spot by the big pond. It is important to note that the park always has community events going on and is popular for wedding photos, so if you like to avoid people while out in nature, perhaps choose one of the other trails. Rondebosch Commons Lazy Hiker rating: 3/4 If running for fitness is what gets you up in the mornings, the most popular daily run spot is the Rondebosch Commons - a perfectly flat loop with ample parking options. It's less ideal for dogs off the leash as the park is surrounded by major roadways where traffic can be problematic. Not only is the Commons a great running spot, but the area also holds a lot of historical and natural value, maintained as a preservation site for Cape Flats lowland fynbos vegetation. It's also an important archaeological site. Doordrift Walk Lazy Hiker rating: 5/5 A lesser-known greenbelt, the Doordrift Walk is more geared towards local residents with limited parking, but still has a surprising educational feature. The wetland section is filled with information boards that tell you more about the area's vegetation, and forms an important wildlife walkway or conservation corridor for animals. There's also an interesting fishy art display for art fans. However, the walk is quite an isolating jaunt, so best advised to avoid doing it solo.