Merrell Whale of Trail

Along South Africa’s wild southern coastline lies a trail few people ever experience in a single day. 53km | 35km Each winter, during the heart of whale season, a small pod of runners gathers in the De Hoop Nature Reserve to move through one of the most protected and spectacular stretches of coastline in the country. Fynbos ridges, Coastal Cliffs Wild Beaches, Dune Paths Long quiet stretches where the only sound is the wind and the ocean below. The Merrell Whale of Trail follows the full five day Whale Trail route in a single day — a rare privilege made possible only through careful partnership with CapeNature and a deep respect for this fragile landscape. It is not a race built for crowds or spectacle. The field is intentionally small, allowing runners to experience the land as it is meant to be experienced - wild, open, and alive with whales moving along the coast below.