The world of trails is waiting to be explored!  Put on your running shoes, bring that bike and meet some old, but definitely some new friends.  Where?  At the Meiringspoort Challenge, this weekend!

There’s a place where cliffs loom like giants and the sky stretches on forever – where the road snakes through the Swartberg like it was carved just for the thrill-seekers among us. Welcome to the Meiringspoort: the kind of place that makes your tyres hum with excitement and your heart beat a little faster. It’s not just a pass – it’s a portal into the wild, wonderful soul of the Klein Karoo.

As a mountain biker, I’ve chased trails all over the Garden Route and Klein Karoo, but nothing quite compares to cruising through this sandstone wonderland, with waterfalls trickling beside you and dassies watching from the rocks like tiny race officials. The ride alone is worth it, but want to throw in starlit nights, farm-fresh goodies, and the friendliest locals you’ll ever meet? Then we’re talking about the Klein Karoo!

From the storybook village of De Rust to the winding magic of the poort, this area isn’t just for riders – it’s for wanderers, hikers, foodies, and anyone who loves a landscape that speaks in ancient earth tones and crisp Karoo air. Whether you’re climbing a hill on your bike or kicking back with a roosterkoek, Meiringspoort has a way of pulling you in and making you stay a little longer.

And if you’re up for a proper challenge, you may want to head this way on the 17th of May 2025 for the Meiringspoort Challenge – where adventure meets conservation in the heart of the Swartberg Mountains. Choose your ride: 26km to warm up, 41.5km for a sweet burn, or the full-on 61.5km beast (yes, e-bikes and tandems are welcome too). Prefer running shoes to wheels? Hit the 9.5km or 19.5km trail run instead.

All the action starts and ends at the NG Church grounds in De Rust—a perfect base for pre-race nerves, post-race bragging, and soaking up that famous Karoo hospitality.

See you on the trails!