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25 - 27 July 2025: Whale of Trail
Run the pristine Whale of Trail in De Hoop Nature Reserve in one day! Choose between the 53km or 35km, Whale Journey or Whale Slackers.
53km Ultra: 26 July 2025
Treat yourself to a premier trail event this year and race amongst our top athletes vying for the big prize purse.
Embrace all 53km and 1900m vert of South Africa’s iconic - and aptly named - five-day Whale Trail hiking route in one tremendous effort.
Fast-flowing footpaths through spectacular mountain fynbos give way to technical rocky coastline ridges, calf-killer sandy beaches and onto undulating coastal paths. The entire route is in the De Hoop Reserve, so you come for the whales, but expect to also see eland, bontebok, zebra, vultures, dolphins and signs of otter, leopard, caracal and turtles. It’s magic.
Finishing Whale is not easy, but so worth the effort. Find your tribe of genuine, wild-loving trail runners here.
35km Trail Run: 26 July 2025
The 35km Trail Run route starts and ends at the same magnificent places as the 53km.
It begins with 15km of glorious mountain singletrack, merges onto a 7km jeeptrack to get to the 15km section of beach and coastal paths with ridiculously jaw-dropping all-around vistas and of course plenty of time with the whales.
(Yes, that’s closer to 37km than 35km!)
But it’s not just running. You’re treated to weekend dinners, free massage and freshly prepared lunch when you finish, wine tasting, complimentary G&T, quality goody bag, quality good people and all-round ethical goodness at this big-hearted race.
The Journey
Sometimes an ultra-distance run is better undertaken as a luxurious two-day affair, punctuated with a swim and a nap and fireside fun camaraderie. Sometimes a route offers so many diversions that racing through it leads to intense FOMO. Sometimes you do just have to stop and smell the fynbos. And watch the whales. And explore the rockpools. And take the photos.
Consider the exclusive Whale Journey 2025.
Fully catered from the moment you arrive at the haven of De Hoop Collection, with every detail carefully considered. Nothing more to do but indulge in the magnificence of the reserve.
As a member of the small group, you are invited to run at your own pace, either fast or meandering.
There are two Journey events on offer, each to just 12 trail runners who appreciate the finer side of life. Both give the unique opportunity to run the 53km route as a two day adventure, with three nights fully catered.
Embark on an all-inclusive journey Of The Body & Soul for 3 nights.
- Journey 1 - 24-26 July 2025
- Journey 2 - 25-28 July 2025
ACCOMMODATION
The Race Village is situated at the stunning De Hoop Collection inside the De Hoop Nature Reserve. There is a wide range of accommodation from campsites, affordable rondawels and self-catering chalets to more luxurious cottages and upmarket lodges, complemented by the outstanding Fig Tree Restaurant. Do remember, your race entry includes 3-course dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings prepared on site by external caterers and a freshly cooked meal when you finish your race on Sat. Aside from delightful accommodation, De Hoop has so much to offer, including guided nature, bird and marine walks, mountain biking trails and bike rentals, eco boat trips on the Ramsar vlei, and, of course, whale watching at the beach. All accommodation is block booked for the Race so if you try to book online, it will say ”None available for those dates”. Please check De Hoop Collection website for options and email them directly at: res@dehoopcollection.co.za. Tel no: 021 422 4522
