TABLE MOUNTAIN TRAILERS: SATURDAY 26 JULY 2025 - NEWLANDS FOREST
Tim Bellairs
Good morning Trailers
Tomorrow’s run is ON.
It will be a chilly 10°C at the start and partly cloudy. No rain currently in the forecast.
This Saturday we will head into the ever-popular Newlands Forest.
We will aim for a 07h00 for 07h15 start or as soon thereafter as light allows. Please note that the Newlands Forest car park fills up quickly so please try and get there extra early. Currently the weather forecast is for a cold, cloudy start, not much of a breeze and very small chance of light rain during the run.
Brief Description of Route
From the Newlands Forest car park (near the helipad and VWS base) we will first head over into Kirstenbosch and climb to the contour path via the Window Gorge steps and continue up and over the 400 steps / Aloes. Shortly after dropping down the Newlands side of the Aloes (not at the big rock; just after) we drop down again to access Hiddingh Steps, Woodcutters Path and continue more or less at that level until we hit the sharp drop down the lower section of Snake Bite which we descend. Cross straight over the Plumpudding Hill jeep track and continue to Rhodes Mem. From there we drop down into UCT and do a fast, flat University Avenue and make our way back the cars though the zoo and past the Newlands Reservoir.
There are plenty of options for shorter routes especially either cutting out the 400 steps or the UCT loop on either side. I will source a shorter route leader during the week and discuss with them.
Rendezvous and Start Time
RV in the Newlands Forest car park in time to start running at 07h15 (please come significantly earlier to allow time for finding parking and for the pre-run brief). An early start is needed because the parking gets hectic.
Terrain and Distance
Mixture of jeep track, single track and even a little stretch of t*r. Nothing particularly technical about this route.
Pace Groups : Tim will lead the main group. We will split this group if there is sufficient demand (and leaders who know the route).
Lorraine will leader a shorter Relaxed Group.
There will be NO WALKING GROUP.
About 13kms with 665m of elevation for the main group. Lorraine’s group will be shorter.
Strava link: https://strava.app.link/UiNLQIrhVQb .
GPX file for 13km route – see attached
About 2.5 hours
Lots of options to drop down to the cars to form a shorter route group.
How to get there?
Easy to find. Entrance to car park is right on the M3 heading towards the City from the southern suburbs. Right below the big mountain. 😊
Newlands Forest Station / Fire Base parking area (Click for Google Maps)
IMPORTANT:
Please make sure to bring enough water ie. minimum 1.5L for the duration of the
run. Also ensure you carry a warm/windproof top and a whistle. Also
please carry some form of ICE details.
We strongly encourage runners to take responsibility and familiarise themselves with the route prior to the run, if possible. The Strava segment and gpx file have been included with this email.
Totalsports VOB does not permit dogs on our runs.
Tim
Run Manager
Totalsports VOB's Medium Distance Trail Group
Blog: http://vobtrailwrg.blogspot.com/ <http://vobtrailwrg.blogspot.com/>
Warning: Trail running is inherently more dangerous than road running. It takes place over Warning: Trail running is inherently more dangerous than road running. It may take place over uneven hazard strewn trails in exposed and often remote terrain where help is not always readily available.
Participation is voluntary and entirely at your own risk as although the organizers take reasonable precautions to ensure runner safety, it cannot be guaranteed. To this end neither the Club nor the organisers personally can be held liable for any claims relating to inter alia, injuries, disabilities and death. Further any minor child participating in any trail running activity will be deemed to be doing so with the consent of his or her guardian.
By starting out on a trail run you explicitly acknowledge that:
1] you understand the associated risks involved and accept full responsibility for your own safety.
2] you are medically and physically fit to participate and
3] are carrying the necessary water, clothing and safety equipment required for the particular run.