From the start both routes take you along the lower slopes of Devil's Peak and adjacent forests. Beginner trail runners should enter the short distance. This is due to the variable terrain and the steep ascents and descents. Trail runners should wear trail shoes for better grip and carry their own hydration – a bladder pack or hip belt.
Distance: 12 kilometres. Difficulty Rating: 3
You start with a gentle uphill warm up, past Mount Pleasant and into Newlands Forest. Following the Newlands Forest jeep tracks on to the Orchards Trail, the route passes the Woodcutters ruins and enjoys kilometres of beautiful forest as it meanders up to Woodcutter track. The pleasant descent takes you through Avatar Forest and the Old Zoo.
Distance: 24 kilometres. Difficulty Rating: 4
The route follows the same path as the short course but instead, at Woodcutters Track, heads up towards the King’s Block House. Here you can enjoy spectacular views of the City, Robben Island and the Coastline.
Soon enough you meet up with the Saddle Path, which presents a steep ascent leading up to Middle Traverse before a gnarly scramble down the ridge line. Be warned it’s pretty tough trail running and not for novices. The route then links up with the short course again and heads down past the Old Zoo.