KINGS KLOOF TRAILS & A GENTLER PACE
The JHB Trail Runs at Kings Kloof invite you into a tucked away stretch of wilderness just outside the city. Grassy slopes, shaded paths, and sandstone ridges create a trail that feels open, gentle, and unforced. It is a place to move with intention, share the trail, and settle into a rhythm that feels your own.
Why Join
Scenic trails through grassland and shaded woodland
Easy going, welcoming trail community
Distances for beginners and regular runners
Easy access from Johannesburg, time to linger
Date
TBC
6km | 12km | 21km
Distances tbc early 2026
Time
Registration: 6:00 AM
Start: 7 AM
Stay for good food & company
Venue
Kings Kloof
Muldersdrift
Restaurant & Coffee
Bring
– Trail running shoes
– Hydration Pack
– Friends or family if you can
Early starts . Open Trails . No rush home
Kings Kloof sits just beyond the city edge. Close enough for a dawn drive, far enough to trade traffic for open grassland, sandstone ridges, and quiet trails.
Coffee, Food, and a Place to Linger
Mornings start gently at registration with fresh coffee and muffins available while you collect your number and ease into the day.
After your run, Brian’s Deli becomes the natural gathering point. A proper post run meal, something warm, something filling, and time to sit, talk, and replay the trail while the legs slowly forgive you.
No rush to leave. No loud finish line spectacle. Just good food and shared stories.
Shared Miles, Easy Conversations
Trail running has a quiet way of bringing people together. A shared breath on a climb. A word of encouragement at a junction. Waiting at the finish with coffee in hand.
At Kings Kloof, the spirit is unhurried and inclusive. You will find experienced runners happy to chat, first timers discovering something new, and volunteers who genuinely care. This is a run you do with others, even when you move at your own pace.
The Trails
Each route has been designed to flow naturally through the landscape, with steady climbs, runnable sections, and moments to pause and take it in.
21km Trail Run
A longer wander through Kings Kloof, weaving between open grassland and shaded forest paths.
Rolling climbs with a total ascent of approximately 550m. A mix of single track and wider jeep trail. Ideal for runners wanting a solid morning on the trail without feeling overwhelmed. Quiet stretches where you can settle into your own rhythm.
12km Trail Run
Balanced, accessible, and full of variety. Around 320m of ascent spread gently across the route
A little climbing, a little cruising, and plenty of scenic reward. Perfect for newer trail runners or those looking for a relaxed but meaningful challenge. Easy to run alone or alongside a friend
6km Trail Run
Short, friendly, and full of charm. Approximately 150m of ascent. A welcoming introduction to trail running. Ideal for first timers, walkers who like to jog the downhills, or anyone wanting a lighter morning out. Smiles come easily on this one. More Than Running Alone.
The Setting, Kings Kloof
Kings Kloof sits just beyond the edge of the city, where the land begins to open and the noise slowly falls away. Rolling grassland, pockets of shade, and sandstone ridges shape a trail that feels spacious and unforced. It is close enough to reach easily, yet far enough to feel like a proper step out.
The terrain is gentle but varied. Open hills give way to quieter sections under trees, with long views that remind you how quickly the city disappears once you start moving. There is a calm to this place, a sense that the land has room for different paces and different reasons for being there.
Kings Kloof is not about spectacle. It is about flow. About finding a rhythm that suits you, sharing the trail with others, and finishing your run feeling settled rather than spent. It is a setting that welcomes first timers, rewards regulars, and invites you to stay a little longer once the running is done.
Safety on the Trail
Your safety matters, quietly and practically.
- Clearly marked routes with marshals at key points
- Water points along the longer distances
- Basic medical support on site
- A compulsory race briefing before each start
Trail etiquette is encouraged. Look out for one another, pass with care, and respect the land we are moving through.
What to Bring
A little preparation goes a long way.
- Comfortable trail shoes
- A reusable water bottle or hydration pack
- Sun protection for open sections
- A light jacket if the weather turns
- Cash or card for coffee and food
No complicated gear lists. Just what you need to feel comfortable and present.
Parking & Access
- Secure on site parking available at Kings Kloof
- Clear signage on arrival
- Easy access for spectators and supporters
Allow a bit of extra time to arrive, park, and settle in.
Why Join
Because running outside changes something small but important. Because mornings like this stay with you. Because it is easier to show up when you know you will be welcomed.
The Merrell JHB Trail Runs are about connection. To nature. To people. To yourself.
Partners
The MERRELL JHB Trail Runs are proudly hosted in partnership with Merrell, whose commitment to getting people outside aligns deeply with the way this weekend is shaped.
Local partners and sponsors help make the day possible, supporting the event in a way that stays rooted and community led.
Join us
Entries will open soon. Numbers are limited to keep the experience personal.
If this feels like your kind of morning, we would love to have you.
Share it with a friend, come together, and let the trail do the rest.