This is trail running at its best!
The Whale of a Trail Run at De Hoop, along the Southern Cape coast, takes place this year on Saturday 29 July 2017.
A mere three hour’s drive from Cape Town along the Southern Cape coast, close to Cape Agulhas, the route takes runners on a 53km journey from the Potberg mountains to Koppie Alleen in the De Hoop Nature Reserve. The first 26km winds through fynbos-covered mountains with spectacular views of the Breede River Valley and then descends to the enchanting Noetsie Bay, turning west and winding along the rocky shores of the Indian Ocean, with a mix of sandy beach and coasteering trails.
De Hoop Collection is proud to host the 2017 Merrell Whale of Trail; organised by the Mountain Runner Events, the Merrell Whale of Trail route attracts the kind of participants that enjoy the challenge of a tough trail, as well as the contemplation and solitude that a mountain trail gives; people who genuinely, simply, love being out there – the true adventurers.
Limited to just 175 athletes – the prescribed limit set by Cape Nature since they do not want to put too much pressure on the iconic De Hoop Nature Reserve coastal trail – the Merrell Whale of Trail is “a small race with a big heart”, says Mountain Runner Events organiser Graham Bird, “and one that is a a must-do for anyone who has already tackled the more conventional runs out there. Participants experience a 53km route that is a veritable smorgasbord of mountain and seaside delights – undulating rocky ridges, steep climbs, relentless sandy beaches and flowing fynbos paths and the whales, of course”.
Bang in the middle of the whale season, runners can be excused for thinking they are being chaperoned by the Whales, as scores of the annual migratory Southern Right Whales breach the water, spy hopping and waving their fins at the passers-by; every year from around June the Southern Right whales leave their icy feeding grounds in Antarctica and head for African shores, particularly favouring the De Hoop marine reserve in the Western Cape. The 71 km stretch of coastline ranks as the most important nursery area for Right whales worldwide, where they give birth, nurture their calves and engage in mating and social behavior.
Entries: whaleoftrail.co.za and for further information go to www.whaleoftrail.co.za
Book your accommodation at De Hoop now for the Whale of Trail Race Weekend from 28 July to 30 July.
Take advantage of the special winter rates valid until 27 July 2017 and be part of the De Hoop Collection’s 10th Anniversary Year celebrations – you can book a de Hoop Village for as little as R250 per person* for up to six people (*R1 500 per cottage (normal rate R4 770)!
This special is only valid for new bookings made for the period 1 May 2017 to 27 July 2017 and applies to the De Hoop Village units only. The Village units sleep six guests and consist of 1x double room, 1x twin room, 1x room with bunk beds, a lounge, a fully equipped Kitchen and dining room, bathroom with shower and an outside barbeque/braai area; perfect for the whole family during the school holidays.
Phone 021-422 4522 or email res@dehoopcollection.co.za
Social media:
Twitter: @dehoopreserve
https://www.facebook.com/DeHoopCollection
Instagram: @dehoopreserve
When taking pics at De Hoop please use these hashtags – #dehoopcollection #dehoopgetaway
Notes to Editor
Event Info
Date: Saturday 29th July 2017
Time: 7h00
Registration: 28th July 2017 – 16h00-19h00 at De Hoop Collection
Briefing Dinner: 28th July 2017 – 19h45 at De Hoop Collection
Prize giving Dinner: 29th July 2017 – 20h00 at De Hoop Collection
Link: www.whaleoftrail.co.za
Contact:
Tatum Prins
Email: info@mountainrunner.co.za
Cell: + (27) 083 449 0760
More Info:
South Africa’s iconic five day Whale Trail hiking route is offered as a challenge to runners capable of embracing all 53km and 1900m elevation of spectacular mountain fynbos, technical rocky ridgelines, sandy beach stretches and endless, mind blowing, beautiful vistas in one day. The Merrell Whale of Trail event is the only opportunity each year for a maximum of 175 nature loving athletes to run hard on this trail while treading lightly on the earth.
Activities at De Hoop
Guests of all ages and tastes will find something to do at De Hoop: Families can enjoy all the usual home comforts plus family oriented fun activities on offer – wonderful birding opportunities, nature lovers will enjoy the interpretive rock pool and Fynbos walks, extensive hiking and mountain biking trails and tennis or boules and remember, for the younger members of the family there are baby-sitting services available – and don’t forget, Winter is whale season at De Hoop. And if you should need ‘time out’ for a bit of pampering, remember there is that ultimate escape (with a variety of revitalising Beauty and Body treatments) at the Spa @ De Hoop, an exercise in understated luxury, situated in the beautiful surrounds overlooking the vlei. Few other reserves offer as complete an outdoor experience as the De Hoop Nature Reserve – from the sea, which during whale season is the playground for the Southern Right Whale, the sand dunes, the vlei, the rare Fynbos, the diverse antelope and the De Hoop ‘regulars’ of Bontebok, Eland, Cape Mountain Zebra and the more than 260 species of birds De Hoop is without doubt, the ultimate location to visit. Experience all of these riches with one of De Hoop Collection’s fabulous and knowledgeable guides.
About De Hoop Collection
The De Hoop Collection opened in the De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Western Cape in 2007 under the creative and entrepreneurial hands of Carl Trieloff and William Stephens, renowned for their successful Madikwe Game reserve developments. In a spectacular setting, with conservation aspects managed by Cape Nature, the reserve offers a wide range of accommodation types designed to suit all budgets. The Reserve, in the Overberg region, is a comfortable three hours’ drive from Cape Town on the world renowned Garden and Whale routes – the ideal nature experience en route from the Cape Winelands to Plettenberg Bay. Visitors to the De Hoop Collection enjoy unparalleled peace and tranquillity in what must be one of the Cape’s last unspoiled gems.
