Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 50, September 2013 | Page 11

MPUMA

EMGWE
LANGA

GREAT TRAILS O

NYA

F SOUTH AFRICA

11

BROUGHT to you by

WORDS & PICS BY JACQUES MARAIS, AUTHOR OF

WHY GO

Walk into any pub in the town previously known as Waterval-Boven and you’ll scarcely be starting on your ?rst beer before you’ll hear the wisecrack about this being a rock climbing town with a trout ?shing problem, but the dramatic cliffs and sweeping escarpments could just as well equate to a ‘trail running problem,’ with superb route options on offer.

Farm. Beyond a gate, the blue arrows to the left will lead you into a wild wattle plantation for a run to remember. Those doing the Rim Trail need to immediately get into downhill mode roughly parallel to Slaaihoek Road. This route heads back towards Boven along 6km of single-track right upon the edge of the escarpment. Some fast, rocky sections will keep you on your toes as you thump onto the bridge over Dwaalheuwelspruit. (There’s a great pool here for a quick dip, if you’re not in too much of a hurry.) Then climb steeply for a solid cardio workout to where the single-track ?nally peters out. After that, you either cut back down a dirt road or plod the 2km of tar back into town.

WHAT YOU GET

Combine any range of route options to make sure you have the best of all worlds: Jeep-track, ankle-testing technical sections amidst the rocks, loads of groomed single-track… with minimal urban interference. Moderate temperatures means the trails are great all year round, but keep an eye out for mountain bikers!

WHERE TO RUN

The network of routes is consistently changed for erosion control, which means new trails are constantly being created. There are currently three main loops (total 30km) on the radar of visiting trail runners, and you’ll be crossing a valley on most of the routes, so don’t expect it to be ?at. The Mountain Trail is an 11km circular loop starting from the centre of town. It climbs a steep set of zigzags after an initial section of dirt road, then traverses the escarpment, with stunning views over Steenkampsberg towards Dullstroom and beyond. Halfway along the 7km of single-track, you’ll cross the direct route to the summit (if a sneaky shortcut back to town is required), and from here the track gently dips towards the west via subtle cutbacks through ravines. The single-track ?nishes at Camp Trevor Youth Camp, from where a jeep-track leads back to town. The Forest Loop constitutes 5km of sublime switchback single-track: Start