In a world in which we are too often fixed to our chairs and screens, walking our beloved pets is one of life’s greatest pleasures. We’ve put together some of our favourite hikes and walks in Cape Town, KZN and Gauteng. If there are any others you've experienced that you'd like to share, please leave a comment under this article post on Facebook.

If you are new to an area, we recommend you speak to someone who knows the area well and who can advise you on the safest routes.

Where to go - CAPE TOWN

• Woodstock Cave on Devil’s Peak - find the path at the end of Tafelberg Road.
• Table Mountain National Park - one of the few National Parks in South Africa that is dog-friendly. However, you'll need a permit so contact Table Mountain National Park.
• Alphen Trail or Cecilia Forest in Constantia - a beautiful, shady forest walk.
• Newlands Forest contour path - walk through the forest and along the mountain slopes.
• Liesbeek River Trail - find this on the corner of Alma and Liesbeek road.
• De Waal Park - a very popular dog walking park and heritage site in the Oranjezicht suburb of Cape Town.
• Jack Muller Park - situated in Bellville directly alongside the N1, at the interface of the Durban Road activity corridor. Footpaths and trails make it a great dog-walking spot.
• Leadville Dog Park - a dog-friendly park in Sunningdale that offers free entry, access to poop scoop bags, a water fountain and large fenced off areas for dogs to roam off leash.
• Greenpoint Urban Park - wide paved paths and stretches of green grass make this park perfect for the whole family, dogs included!
• Keurboom Park - situated in the heart of Rondebosch, this is a dog-walking paradise with winding paths and big, open fields perfect for throwing the ball.

 Where to go - KWAZULU-NATAL

• Salmon Bay - walk your dog along the long sandy beach in Ballito.
• Alfred Park - a dog-friendly nature reserve with a swamp forest and grasslands in New Germany, Durban.
• Glenholme Nature Reserve - head west from Durban towards Kloof to find this reserve filled with grasslands, a small stream and a swamp forest. Your dog will love it!

 Where to go - GAUTENG

• Melville Koppies East - a nature reserve and heritage site, enjoy a walk or hike with a spectacular view.
• Faerie Glen Nature Reserve - expect to find a river amongst the grasslands, a koppie to climb and many trails to explore with your dog at this reserve in Pretoria.
• Kruin Park Nature Reserve - part of the oldest nature reserve in South Africa with lovely views of Pretoria.
• Emmarentia Dam - just a few minutes drive from Melville, this is the perfect place for your dog to chase the tennis ball and have a quick swim too.
• Lonehill Park - the well-kept green lawns are ideal for picnics and a great place to walk your dogs.
• Walkhaven Dog Park - Walkhaven is situated in the Muldersdrift area right next to the Cradle of Humankind. This park offers a wonderful, secure place to exercise your dogs.
• Delta Park - this park is situated in Randburg and is very popular with dog walkers.
• ECHO Dog Park - a fantastic place to take your dog in Fourways, Jo'burg.
• Jan Cilliers Park - also known as Protea Park or the Fairy Park, this park is hidden away in the Groenkloof suburb. Enjoy this tree-filled park with your dog.
• Waterkloof Park - a long stretch of lovely, green lawns with ponds where dogs can swim.

We hope this list inspires you to go out there and explore with your dog! But before you do, here are a few tips for your upcoming adventure.

Our top walking and hiking tips

1. Staying hydrated

It's usually a bit tricky trying to share your bottle of water with your dog, but there are some smart ways to ensure your dog has water on-the-go, like the Beviqui Travel Drinking Bowl which easily attaches to your own water bottle.

2. Ensure you have a well-fitting lead and collar

Even if your dog is well-trained, we recommend you take a well-fitting lead and collar. There are lots to choose from such as this shock absorbent lead from Zee.Dog which is a great option for a very energetic companion. If you are walking in the early morning or late evening when it's a little dark, safety and visibility are important. We suggest the Nite Dawg LED Dog Collar Cover which is a high-visibility cover that fits onto any dog collar and can be set to glow or flash.

3. Be equipped to clean up

Take a bag with you or a handy poop bag dispenser so that cleaning up any mess left by your dog can be quick and easy. We love to use the Bags on Board Dog Waste Bag Bone Dispenser.

4. A clean car and comfortable ride

Getting to your hiking spot and back often means a trip in the car which leaves your car in a bit of a mess. So to protect your seats from mud, mess and scratches and to prevent your dog from getting injured if you need to break suddenly, consider a back seat cover, hammock-style, like this one from Wagworld.

5. Take along some treats

Everyone deserves a snack-break on a hike. Take along a few tasty treats for your dog too, such as the Cuthbert’s Dog Biscuits or a handful of tasty Orijen Dog Treats for a reward your dog will truly love.

6. Beware of ticks

It’s no fun having to remove ticks from your dog after a walk. They are difficult to dislodge and if left too long they can cause some serious harm. Keep your dogs protected with our range of solutions that will kill and repel any ticks you come across on your walk.

We hope these tips are helpful and we look forward to hearing about any other wonderful dog-friendly spots you've discovered.

Happy and healthy,

The Absolute Pets team