Nestled within the heart of South Africa’s Western Cape, the Garden Route is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure amidst stunning natural landscapes. While it’s renowned for its pristine beaches and lush forests, it’s also a paradise for trail runners looking to immerse themselves in hundreds of kilometres of diverse trails that will offer the perfect balance from enjoying smooth flowy manicured forest trails to epic technical mountain climbs and descents.

1. The Landscape: The Garden Route boasts a diverse terrain that caters to all levels of trail runners. From rugged mountain trails to winding coastal paths, there’s something for everyone. Picture-perfect vistas greet you at every turn, with lush forests, secret rock pools, waterfalls, and dramatic mountain ridge lines providing a breathtaking backdrop for your run. Whether you prefer the challenge of steep ascents or the thrill of technical descents, the Garden Route offers a myriad of trails to explore.

2. The Wildlife: One of the highlights of trail running in the Garden Route is the opportunity to encounter its rich and diverse wildlife. Keep an eye out for creatures such as the vervet monkeys, Savanna baboons, dassies, Cape grey mongoose and bushbuck as you traverse the trails. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting a variety of avian species, including the iconic Knysna loerie, sunbirds and several kingfisher species.

3. The Trails: Whether you’re a seasoned trail runner or a novice seeking adventure, the Garden Route offers an array of trails to suit every preference. For those craving a challenge, you can opt to spend a day tagging some of the highest peaks like George and Cradock peaks or stay below the forest canopy and run amongst the giant tree ferns along the Afromontane forest, Tonnelbos. Each trail promises a unique experience, from traversing dense forests to traversing majestic ridgelines and crossing refreshing streams.

4. The Community: Trail running in the Garden Route is more than just a solitary pursuit—it’s a vibrant community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for the outdoors. Local trail running groups such as Garden Route Trail Running (GTR) organise weekly social runs and welcome all visitors to join them on these runs to get to know the local trails in a safe and welcoming environment. The Garden Route trails also play host to prestigious races such as the George Mountain Ultra Trail (MUT by UTMB) which as of last year, is the only race on the African continent that forms part of the UTMB World Series. The event boasts race distances from 10km right up to 100miles and attracts runners from all over the world.

Another spot where one can connect with other local outdoor enthusiasts is Trail Kiosk @ Ground Zero on Arbour road, George. It offers a wide selection of hot and cold drinks, tasty snacks and pizzas. And many of the most popular trail running routes can easily be accessed from it.

If you find yourself needing any type of trail running, hiking or outdoor gear then make sure to pop by the local family run store, MountCo. MountCo not only stocks some of the best outdoor gear and apparel in the industry but more often than not you will find owner, Jacques Mouton, in store ready to share his wealth of knowledge about the local trails.

So, whether you’re seeking camaraderie, support, or simply a friendly face on the trail, you’ll find it in the welcoming community of Garden Route trail runners.

5. The Experience: Above all, trail running in the Garden Route is about embracing the journey and immersing yourself in the beauty of nature. It’s about the exhilaration of conquering challenging terrain, the serenity of running through ancient forests, and the joy of discovering hidden gems along the way. Whether you’re seeking adventure, solitude, or simply a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, the Garden Route offers an unforgettable experience that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and inspired.

Connect with a local trail running guide if you wish to recce any of the local Garden Route race routes (such as MUT by UTMB), would like some race specific training on diverse terrains or if you simply wish to explore some of these incredible trails on a fun day out of trail running.