Description
Escape to the Wild: THE HIGHLANDS TRAIL!
Sat, 28 March 2026. 5km, 9km, 14km
Ready to trade the city hum for the heartbeat of the bush? On Saturday, 28 March 2026, we’re heading deep into a hidden gem for a morning that is as much about the soul as it is about the sweat. Nestled within the Schurveburg mountains, this is exclusive trail running at its finest. We’re opening the gates to a private game reserve where 400 hectares of rugged mountains, historic forests, and roaming wildlife await.
Finding the Hidden Gem: Hoogland Health Hydro. Don’t trust your GPS! Most devices will take you on a “scenic” (long) detour. We will send precise, easy-to-follow directions in your pre-event info pack a few days before the trail to ensure you take the smoothest route. https://hoogland.co.za/
General Information: Tucked away in the Schurveburg Mountains and overlooking the winding Hennops River Valley, this 400-hectare private reserve is the definition of a hidden gem. If you’ve been looking for a trail that feels a world away from the city, you’ve found it. It’s where the “Bushveld Meets the Grassland”. The magic of Hoogland lies in its unique “transition zone”, a spectacular landscape where rugged, rocky hills melt into sweeping grasslands. This terrain is authentic and raw, offering a diverse challenge that rewards every step with a new view. This isn’t just a trail; it’s a safari on foot. As you navigate the winding single tracks and historic forests, you’ll share the space with Iconic Wildlife and Ancient Flora. It’s Rustic, Authentic, Isolated so forget the manicured parks, this is a secluded escape designed for those who crave a truly rustic experience. It’s quiet, it’s wild, and it’s waiting for you to make your mark!
Distances & Batches: Whether you’re a mountain goat or a scenic stroller, there’s a path for you.
(Psst… Walkers are more than welcome on the 5km and 9km routes!)
14km – R370 pp, 07:00. A diverse, rugged push for the bold.
9km – R350 pp, 07:10 / 07:20. The perfect balance of burn & beauty.
5km – R330 pp, 07:30 / 07:40 / 07:50. A shorter, breathtaking scenic loop.
Entry Includes: Finisher Medal (a branded collector’s glass filled with your choice of refreshing, ice-cold Kombucha), fully stocked water-points, exclusive access to well-marked trails, on-site medical support, professional photographer, a live musso and a raw, authentic Wild African Experience. Once you’ve conquered the hills, kick back in this mountainside sanctuary. Soak in spectacular panoramic views of the endless Aloe Tree wilderness while the sounds of live music drift through the air. There will be a pop up stall available which will be serving freshly baked local muffins, kebab flatbreads as well as crunchy muesli & yogurt bowls for a healthy recovery.
Registration: Opens from 06:00am. First briefing at 06h50 sharp for A Batch.
The “Wild Africa” Experience: This isn’t your average weekend trail. It’s an intimate, rustic, and secluded adventure. To keep the impact low and the vibes high, entries are strictly limited to just 250 participants.
The Scenery: A 4/5 technical challenge through rocky gorges, golden grasslands & over 66 species of indigenous trees.
The Locals: Keep your eyes peeled for Wildebeest, Blesbok, Eland, Red Hartebeest, and Impala.
The Finish Line: No plastic medals here! Celebrate your achievement with a branded collector’s glass filled with a chilled, revitalizing Kombucha.
The Chill Zone & Recovery: After conquering the hills, kick back in our Rustic Chill Zone with live music & mountain views. Pop-up Stall: Freshly baked muffins, kebab flatbreads, and muesli yogurt bowls.
Lucky Draw: We value experiences over podiums. Every finisher has a chance to win great prizes with our lucky draw!
The Fine Print:-
Timings: Bring your own device to track your stats. Drop your wristband in the bucket at the end for the Lucky Draw and Vitality point logging!
Exclusivity: Because this is a wellness getaway, numbers are kept small to ensure peace and privacy.
Note: Hoogland is a Health Hydro and wellness sanctuary; this is a strictly non-alcoholic venue.
Don’t wait for the FOMO to hit—secure one of the 250 spots today and find your rhythm in the wild!
Take Note:
Walkers / hikers are more than welcome to join us on all routes
There is a guideline of 03h00 hours cut off time from the first batch start ie) 09h30
Thank you for supporting our ethos “Tread Lightly” – all we leave behind are our footprints
There will be No Refunds due to rain or lightning cancellation
No licence is necessary to take part in the run
Minimum age of 18 years to partake in any of the craft beer fills
All athletes participate at their own risk
Toilet facilities will be available at the start / finish
Good secure parking available
Refreshments table available at various points including water / coke
Late Entries on the day will be charged an additional R30 per person (subject to availability should the event not be sold out…)
Other: Coffee & tea will be on sale before the run and there will be an optional runners breakfast available at the pop up stall afterwards.
Accommodation: For those wishing to stay over and make a weekend of it, the Hoogland Health Hydro are offering all Wild Africa Experiences a 2 night special offer (subject to availability at the time of booking). Please contact us for more info.
Your safety is our number one concern. Whilst so much has changed, some things will thankfully still stay the same. We will continue with our exclusive & intimate trail runs in some hidden away valley and runners can be rest assured that your safety remains our absolute priority.
Withdrawal, Substitutions, Roll-overs:
All entry fees for the Event are non-refundable / non-transferable under all circumstances permitted by law, including, but not limited to, cancellation of the Event for any reason including withdrawal of your participation in the Event, or change in the date, nature, or format of the Event.
7 days and more prior to the event, roll-overs are permissible ONLY at the sole discretion of the organizer and based on medical grounds only. Roll overs are valid for a maximum of 3 months with a maximum of one date change. If the participant does not, for any reason utilize the entry within 3 months, their entry will no longer be valid nor refunded.
0-6 days prior to the event, NO roll-overs are allowed, however substitutions are permissible at any time leading up to the event. Kindly ensure you email us on explore@wildafricaexperiences.co.za in order to assist further.
You acknowledge that the Event may be cancelled or changed due to government directives, severe weather or any other factors that may be considered to threaten the safety of participants as determined by the Event organiser in its sole discretion. We have always strived to deliver on each & every event but due to the nature of our activities, some natural elements are out of our hands. Unfortunately, there is a no refund policy on bookings due to rain or lightening.
Enquiries
Contact : Wild Africa Experiences. Paul or Belinda
Contact number : 083 642 6698 / 081 018 2320 explore@wildafricaexperiences.co.za
