Cities / Africa / South Africa / Johannesburg

Best walking routes in Johannesburg

15 routes ranked on sights, efficiency, hills & length — real foot distance and elevation.

3.3 scoreHills 1/106.8 kmBest Apr, May, Sep, Oct
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Ranked routes

Same score for every walk. Click a card to expand details on the map.

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#1
Viewpoint

Johannesburg in One Day: Walking Itinerary

One day

13 stops12.9 km4 h 30 min

Inside visits push a full day to ~5 h 50 min.

Inside: Johannesburg Art Gallery (~1 h) + Johannesburg South Africa Temple (~20 min). Estimates only.

12.9 kmdistance4 h 30 minwith stops13stops~5 h 50 minfull day+126 mgain
2.3 sights7.1 efficiency2.1 hills7.1 length
Open in Google Maps 1/2 ↗Open in Google Maps 2/2 ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 2 h 55 min+ up to 2 h 40 min insides+126 m climb along route
  1. Holy Trinity Catholic Church
  2. Nelson Mandela Bridge
  3. MuseuMAfricA
  4. Market Theatre
  5. Chancellor House
  6. Gandhi Square
  7. Johannesburg Art Gallery (inside ~1 h)
  8. Temple Israel, Johannesburg
  9. Hillbrow Tower
  10. Constitution HillUNESCO
  11. Joburg Theatre
  12. Johannesburg South Africa Temple (inside ~20 min)
  13. The Wilds Municipal Nature Reserve
1709–1782 m

Photo: ViewpointSouth African TourismCC BY 2.0

4.2/10
#2
Viewpoint

One Hour in Johannesburg: A Short Walk

1 hour

5 stops2.5 km1 h 10 min

2.5 kmdistance1 h 10 minwith stops5stops+27 mgain
2.0 sights6.7 efficiency0.4 hills7.5 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 35 min+ up to 40 min insides+27 m climb along route
  1. MuseuMAfricA
  2. Mary Fitzgerald Square
  3. Market Theatre
  4. Chancellor House
  5. Gandhi Square
1710–1737 m

Photo: ViewpointBobbyshabanguCC BY-SA 4.0

3.8/10
#3
Viewpoint

Museums of Johannesburg in 2 Hours

Museums

5 stops3.8 km1 h 15 min

3.8 kmdistance1 h 15 minwith stops5stops+40 mgain
1.2 sights7.3 efficiency0.7 hills9.0 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 50 min+ up to 3 h 20 min insides+40 m climb along route
  1. Workers Museum
  2. MuseuMAfricA
  3. Wits Art Museum
  4. Origins Centre
  5. Fietas Museum
1709–1745 m

Photo: ViewpointThomas.macmillan (talk)CC BY 3.0

3.8/10
#4
Viewpoint

Johannesburg Loop Walk from St Mary's Cathedral

Loop

6 stops6.4 km2 h 10 min

6.4 kmdistance2 h 10 minwith stops6stops+52 mgain
1.7 sights7.5 efficiency0.9 hills5.8 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 25 min+ up to 1 h 40 min insides+52 m climb along route
  1. St Mary's Cathedral
  2. Central Methodist Church, Johannesburg
  3. Top of Africa
  4. Johannesburg Art Gallery
  5. Friedenskirche
  6. Constitution HillUNESCO
1728–1777 m

Photo: ViewpointJanek SzymanowskiCC BY-SA 3.0

3.7/10
#5
Viewpoint

Churches of Johannesburg in 2 Hours

Churches

5 stops4.1 km1 h 35 min

4.1 kmdistance1 h 35 minwith stops5stops+64 mgain
1.2 sights7.0 efficiency1.1 hills8.2 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 55 min+ up to 1 h insides+64 m climb along route
  1. Central Methodist Church, Johannesburg
  2. St Mary's Cathedral
  3. Greek Orthodox Church, Joubert Park
  4. Friedenskirche
  5. Joburg Theatre
1727–1781 m

Photo: ViewpointNJR ZACC BY-SA 3.0

3.7/10
#6
Viewpoint

Old Town of Johannesburg in 2 Hours

Old town

7 stops4.8 km1 h 50 min

4.8 kmdistance1 h 50 minwith stops7stops+23 mgain
1.4 sights7.6 efficiency0.4 hills6.3 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 5 min+ up to 1 h insides+23 m climb along route
  1. Greek Orthodox Church, Joubert Park
  2. Friedenskirche
  3. St Mary's Cathedral
  4. Gandhi Square
  5. The Cenotaph
  6. Central Methodist Church, Johannesburg
  7. Nelson Mandela Bridge
1721–1761 m

Photo: ViewpointS'busiso sisoCC BY-SA 4.0

3.6/10
#7
Viewpoint

Johannesburg in 2 Hours on Foot

2 hours

10 stops5.0 km2 h 10 min

5.0 kmdistance2 h 10 minwith stops10stops+65 mgain
1.6 sights7.0 efficiency1.1 hills5.8 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 5 min+ up to 1 h insides+65 m climb along route
  1. The Cenotaph
  2. Central Methodist Church, Johannesburg
  3. Chancellor House
  4. Chinatown
  5. Market Theatre
  6. Mary Fitzgerald Square
  7. MuseuMAfricA
  8. Nelson Mandela Bridge
  9. Chris Seabrooke Music Hall
  10. Joburg Theatre
1709–1776 m

Photo: ViewpointSekwankwetlaCC0

3.5/10
#8
Viewpoint

Johannesburg Ward 124, Johannesburg: Walking Route

DistrictJohannesburg Ward 124

5 stops1.5 km50 min

1.5 kmdistance50 minwith stops5stops+11 mgain
1.4 sights7.7 efficiency0.2 hills4.4 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 20 min+ up to 20 min insides+11 m climb along route
  1. Chinatown
  2. Chancellor House
  3. Central Methodist Church, Johannesburg
  4. The Cenotaph
  5. Gandhi Square
1725–1739 m

Photo: ViewpointJackie05CC BY-SA 3.0

3.3/10
#9
Viewpoint

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Johannesburg

Walking tour

11 stops11.3 km3 h 50 min

11.3 kmdistance3 h 50 minwith stops11stops+142 mgain
2.3 sights7.3 efficiency2.4 hills0.0 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 2 h 30 min+ up to 2 h 40 min insides+142 m climb along route
  1. Doornfontein Synagogue
  2. Johannesburg Art Gallery
  3. Hillbrow Tower
  4. Temple Israel, Johannesburg
  5. Johannesburg South Africa Temple
  6. Joburg Theatre
  7. Nelson Mandela Bridge
  8. MuseuMAfricA
  9. Market Theatre
  10. Chancellor House
  11. Gandhi Square
1709–1785 m

Photo: ViewpointJorge Láscar from AustraliaCC BY 2.0

3.2/10
#10
Viewpoint

Easy Flat Walk in Johannesburg (Kids & Stroller Friendly)

Easy walk

11 stops6.1 km2 h 30 min

6.1 kmdistance2 h 30 minwith stops11stops+36 mgain
1.8 sights6.9 efficiency0.6 hills2.7 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 20 min+ up to 2 h insides+36 m climb along route
  1. Chris Seabrooke Music Hall
  2. Nelson Mandela Bridge
  3. MuseuMAfricA
  4. Mary Fitzgerald Square
  5. Market Theatre
  6. Chinatown
  7. Chancellor House
  8. Central Methodist Church, Johannesburg
  9. The Cenotaph
  10. Gandhi Square
  11. Johannesburg Art Gallery
1709–1746 m

Photo: ViewpointDan Brown from London, UKCC BY 2.0

3.1/10
#11
Viewpoint

Johannesburg Ward 60, Johannesburg: Walking Route

DistrictJohannesburg Ward 60

11 stops6.4 km2 h 40 min

6.4 kmdistance2 h 40 minwith stops11stops+74 mgain
1.6 sights7.4 efficiency1.2 hills1.7 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 25 min+ up to 2 h 20 min insides+74 m climb along route
  1. St Mary's Cathedral
  2. Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
  3. Workers Museum
  4. Mary Fitzgerald Square
  5. Market Theatre
  6. Nelson Mandela Bridge
  7. Wits Art Museum
  8. Chris Seabrooke Music Hall
  9. Origins Centre
  10. Joburg Theatre
  11. Constitution HillUNESCO
1710–1779 m

Photo: ViewpointNJR ZAPublic domain

3.0/10
#12
Viewpoint

Johannesburg Museum Walk

Museums

7 stops8.7 km2 h 30 min

8.7 kmdistance2 h 30 minwith stops7stops+107 mgain
1.5 sights8.0 efficiency1.8 hills0.0 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 55 min+ up to 5 h insides+107 m climb along route
  1. Joburg Contemporary Art Foundation
  2. Wits Art Museum
  3. Origins Centre
  4. Fietas Museum
  5. MuseuMAfricA
  6. Workers Museum
  7. Johannesburg Art Gallery
1689–1745 m

Photo: Viewpoint@weblearningCC BY 4.0

2.9/10
#13
Viewpoint

Johannesburg Old Town Walking Tour

Old town

10 stops10.8 km3 h 35 min

10.8 kmdistance3 h 35 minwith stops10stops+97 mgain
1.7 sights6.8 efficiency1.6 hills0.0 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 2 h 25 min+ up to 1 h 40 min insides+97 m climb along route
  1. Gandhi Square
  2. The Cenotaph
  3. Central Methodist Church, Johannesburg
  4. Nelson Mandela Bridge
  5. Greek Orthodox Church, Joubert Park
  6. Hillbrow Tower
  7. Temple Israel, Johannesburg
  8. Johannesburg South Africa Temple
  9. Beit Emanuel Progressive Synagogue
  10. Anglo-Boer War Memorial
1671–1785 m

Photo: ViewpointKemptonreporterCC BY 2.5

2.7/10
#14
Viewpoint

Hidden Gems of Johannesburg: Off-the-Beaten-Path Walk

Hidden gems

11 stops10.9 km3 h 45 min

10.9 kmdistance3 h 45 minwith stops11stops+96 mgain
1.2 sights7.1 efficiency1.6 hills0.0 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 2 h 25 min+ up to 1 h 20 min insides+96 m climb along route
  1. Origins Centre
  2. Chris Seabrooke Music Hall
  3. Mary Fitzgerald Square
  4. Chinatown
  5. Chancellor House
  6. The Cenotaph
  7. Top of Africa
  8. Kwa Mai-Mai market
  9. Doornfontein Synagogue
  10. Greek Orthodox Church, Joubert Park
  11. Constitution HillUNESCO
1706–1777 m

Photo: ViewpointJackie05CC BY-SA 3.0

2.5/10
#15
Viewpoint

Hidden Gems of Johannesburg in 2 Hours

Hidden gems

8 stops7.1 km2 h 30 min

7.1 kmdistance2 h 30 minwith stops8stops+75 mgain
1.0 sights7.1 efficiency1.2 hills0.0 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 35 min+ up to 1 h insides+75 m climb along route
  1. Kwa Mai-Mai market
  2. The Cenotaph
  3. Chinatown
  4. Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
  5. Mary Fitzgerald Square
  6. Chris Seabrooke Music Hall
  7. Origins Centre
  8. Holy Trinity Catholic Church
1706–1755 m

Photo: ViewpointNick-DCC BY-SA 4.0

2.4/10

Hills: higher = steeper along the walk. Stairs (when shown): metres of mapped stairways near the route — approximate, not a step countvisit times are estimates.

Johannesburg walking stats

From the 15 rated routes125 stops total32 unique places.

Most climbSelf-Guided Walking Tour of Johannesburg+142 m along route
Most stops / kmJohannesburg Ward 124, Johannesburg: Walking Route3.3 stops per km
Least climbJohannesburg Ward 124, Johannesburg: Walking Route+11 m along route
Most stairsJohannesburg Old Town Walking Tour~30 m mapped stairways (approx., not step count)
Longest / shortest12.9 km1.5 kmJohannesburg in One Day: Walking Itinerary / Johannesburg Ward 124, Johannesburg: Walking Route
Places on routes32unique stop ids
How we score. Same formula for every route: Sights 50% (how notable the stops are)Efficiency 25% (less backtracking between stops)Hills 10% (how steep the walk is)Length fit 15% (distance vs the kind of walk). Stairs stay a fact in metres, not a quality bar. Avg score in the hero is the mean across all ranked walks.

Johannesburg FAQ

Short answers from this city’s data.

Best first-visit walk?
Johannesburg in One Day: Walking Itinerary (12.9 km, 4 h 30 min with stops) ranks #1 here.
Best months to walk Johannesburg?
Apr, May, Sep, Oct are usually the nicest months for walking.
Shortest walk?
Johannesburg Ward 124, Johannesburg: Walking Route1.5 km, walking 20 min.
One hour in Johannesburg?
One Hour in Johannesburg: A Short Walk: walking 35 min, with stops 1 h 10 min, 5 stops.
One-day plan?
Johannesburg in One Day: Walking Itinerary: 13 stops, ~4 h 30 min on-route; suggested insides on marked stops; full day ≈ 5 h 50 min. Visit times are estimates.
Stairs and hills?
Hills is 10% of the score (higher = steeper along the walk). Stairs are not scored — when shown, they are metres of mapped stairways near the route (approximate; not a step count). Example: stairways ≈ 0 m.
Can I change stops?
Yes — open in Maps, edit, then paste into Lineo for a cleaner order.
Why are some Google Maps links split?
Google Maps caps how many stops fit in one directions link (we use 11). Longer walks are split into numbered buttons (1/2, 2/2, …). Open them in order — each part starts where the previous one ended.