The Best Trail Running Trails in South Africa

Table mountain

Trail Running

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Venespa

Distance

9.42mi

Elevation +

4800f

TrailRank

37

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Route from Kirstenbosch to CableWay, going up by Skeleton Gorge and coming down by Eco Valley and Nursery Ravine. Around 5 hours with 15 min stop to drink a refreshment. For turists visiting Cape Town, the route to Ta...

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Constantia Nek - Eagles Nest - Table Mnt dam trail run

Trail Running

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guidodg

Distance

4.63mi

Elevation +

1916f

TrailRank

36

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very scenic and fairly tough steep trail run on a beautiful singletrack overlooking Orangekloof , some amazing rock formations , pristine fynbos and proteas. A few exposed rock ledges to clamber up, nothing serious unles...

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Oqalweni Circuit (contour path)

Trail Running

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Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

11.58mi

Elevation +

2612f

TrailRank

36

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An epic trail on some great single track can't recommend it enough. Starting from Cathedral Peak Hotel head out on the Cathedral Peak Path, across the river, Take the left after 5km on to the contour path at about 210...

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Doing the Mnweni Marathon

Trail Running

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Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

25.31mi

Elevation +

6414f

TrailRank

36

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We are aware that there are other tracks of this loop. But we throw this one into the mix as there are so many paths to choose from it’s too easy to end up on the wrong path intentionally or not. We took the lower river ...

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park run - Thousand Hills

Trail Running

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Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

3.09mi

Elevation +

486f

TrailRank

36| 4.67

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It has to be one of the toughest park runs in the country and maybe even the world. With 148m elevation change in 5km it lives up to its name and it's certainly not for sissies. That said it's one of the most rural and b...

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Injisuthi - Van Heyningen's Pass

Trail Running

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Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

4.92mi

Elevation +

1296f

TrailRank

35

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An out and back up the pass though a lovely forest with massive Yellow wood trees in the forrest. Quite a few river crossings.

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Silvermine and Elephant’s Eye cave run

Trail Running

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guidodg

Distance

7.87mi

Elevation +

1755f

TrailRank

33

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very scenic trail run with spectacular views from all 4 viewpoints across the entire peninsula....simply stunning run...make sure to visit all 4 viewpoints! a swim in the dam at the end is a must...

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Injisuthi - Grindstone Cave

Trail Running

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Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

4.50mi

Elevation +

1257f

TrailRank

32

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An out and back to Grindstone Cave to check it out. A large cave that can sleep a max. of 12 people quite comfortably - booking through KZN Wildlife. Recent rains meant there was a small water fall in the front of the...

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Castleburn Loop de loop

Trail Running

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Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

6.11mi

Elevation +

643f

TrailRank

31

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Single trail out and back on the Castle Burn estate - well worth a trip out if you are in the area. We did it counter-clockwise but think it better sign posted from the opposite direction. There are 3 routes - Yellow - ...

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CapeTown - Table Mountain / Tafelberg

Trail Running

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hrobr

Distance

8.75mi

Elevation +

3691f

TrailRank

31

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Tomas Tokoe, SA mountaineer (1868 to 1959), about Platteklip Kloof: "I came down Platteklip, the most damnable descent on the Berg, where every loose stone seems to be resting on ball bearings." Take lots of water...!

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Tala Game reserve - Eston - 18.3km

Trail Running

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Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

11.48mi

Elevation +

873f

TrailRank

31

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There is something very special about running through a game reserve all by yourself and only hearing the sounds of the birds and russle in the bush of wildlife. Trail on twin "jeep track" with mild hills.

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Drakensberg Sun Loop 11km

Trail Running

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Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

7.29mi

Elevation +

1388f

TrailRank

30

Start up Ellis Route (Yellow signs) join the Blue Grotto Path (Blue signs)and after Barry's grave join Fern Forest Loop (Green signs). Easy hike below "Little Berg" could be a nice 11km trail run.

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Northern Berg Trail Running (16km)

Trail Running

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Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

10.32mi

Elevation +

1175f

TrailRank

30

Start at the Cavern head out of the fern forest passing above the Cavern's top dams then turn south and contour to the Du Toit's Down hill section and finish at All Out Adventures further down the Putterill Spruit river....

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Palmiet Nature Reserve - Western Trails

Trail Running

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Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

3.17mi

Elevation +

354f

TrailRank

30

Palmiet Nature Reserve - Western Trails Entrances Ge 2 Dorothy McLean entrance in David McLean Drive Ge 3 Faurea entrance in Pitlochry Road (Note this gate is locked - keys as below) Gl 1-10 Locked gates. Keys avai...

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Mindful Runner Summer #SpruitCharge

Trail Running

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doppierunner

Distance

11.14mi

Elevation +

531f

TrailRank

30

Not really a race. A run along Braamfontein Spruit from Mindful Runner in Emmerentia to William Nicol and back. All offroad except the loop along Republic Road and William Nicol. Lots of mountain bikers on the route so ...

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The Canyon, Lotheni - inside to waterfall

Trail Running

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marktuna

Distance

9.24mi

Elevation +

2310f

TrailRank

30

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The trail is very hard to follow in the beginning, and it doesn't actually go to the Canyon despite signposts indicating that it would. There isn't any trail leading down into the Canyon itself from the top of the ridge.

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Northern Berg Trial Running 24km

Trail Running

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Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

15.15mi

Elevation +

2969f

TrailRank

30

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Epic trail leaving the Cavern Berg Resort and ending at All out Adventures. Some great climbing to altitude. Well worth and outing. Accent 1100m Decent 1252m decent.

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Wolwespruit Fresh Challenge trail

Trail Running

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Josh Davimes

Distance

9.70mi

Elevation +

971f

TrailRank

30

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Course for the 17km Fresh@Wolwe challenge series 2021. Trail route limited only to the event series. Normal trail use within Wolwespruit Park.

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Thomathu Cave (Extended Version)

Trail Running

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Christo Engelbrecht

Distance

11.95mi

Elevation +

2185f

TrailRank

30

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Distance (7.5+7.5 15km | Technical difficulty Moderate Elevation gain 638m | Elevation loss 638m | Max elevation 2330m | Min elevation 1755m A large cave approximately 60m high, situated on the Thomathu ridge. The views ...

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Duikersdrift Parkrun, Tulbagh

Trail Running

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Duikersdrift

Distance

3.16mi

Elevation +

3f

TrailRank

30

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Every Saturday at 8am Duikersdrift Farm hosts Parkrun, a free event open to everyone to run or walk the 5km (3.1mi) route. This incredibly scenic route, located in the Cape Winelands, passes by two dams, through an ol...

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INKAMBO RUN/ TRIBE WALK OVER TABLE MOUNTAIN

Trail Running

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Mabo

Distance

23.12mi

Elevation +

3622f

TrailRank

30

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INKIMBO - the valley of 1000 hills Tribes resurrection to the Mountain. Its a Trail Run where the runners race as ambassadors for the critical challenges(Under-education, HIV/AIDS pandemic, poverty, live stock theft, etc...

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Winterhoek Traverse

Trail Running

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jctruter

Distance

33.66mi

Elevation +

11952f

TrailRank

30

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One of the most beautiful mountain stretches in the Western Cape. Groot-Winterhoek Peak is climbed very seldom and provides a view over the Boland, Swartland, Cederberg, Bokkeveld and even the Karroo. On a clear day Elan...

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3 Falls Trail Run 2013 - 18.3km

Trail Running

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Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

11.83mi

Elevation +

2526f

TrailRank

30

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A lovely but tough circular route around the Kranskloof Nature Reserve. With approx 934m elevation gain / loss. The course is approx 18.3km long with a start and finish at Forrest Hills primary school. An event that is g...

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Ilanga Trails, Misty Mountain

Trail Running

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Redshift3

Distance

7.43mi

Elevation +

951f

TrailRank

30

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Well organised, cool site living up to it's name. With intermittent showers keeping the us cool, we ventured along the single track, in and out of the pine plantations and over the grassy hills where the mist collects an...

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Crazy Store - Nagle Dam- 20km

Trail Running

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Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

12.64mi

Elevation +

1617f

TrailRank

30

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The middle distance of the 3 race options. Just a few kilometers in you find a monster of a hill! The remainder of the course is fairly open on gravel roads. On whole it offers great views of the the dam and surrounds. L...

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