The Ultimate Guide to the Harties River Trail 🏞️

Terence Vrugtman
14 hours ago
2 min read

The 2026 trail season is officially here! The Harties River Trail on February 21st is the traditional "season opener" for the Harties Trail Experience. Whether you're chasing a podium in the 21km or taking on your very first 6km trail walk/run, The Ultimate Guide to the Harties River Trail covers everything you need to know to have a seamless race day.

📍 Location & Getting There

We’ll be staged at the Harties River Hiking Trail (Crocodile Road Entrance).

The Venue: T-Junction R512 & R104, Broederstroom.
Coordinates: -25.794226, 27.892454
Pro-Tip on Access: There is about 500 meters of dirt road leading into the venue. While it’s well-maintained, it can be tricky for cars with very low ground clearance. If your car is particularly low, we recommend carpooling with a friend in a higher vehicle.

⏱️ Race Day Schedule

We keep registration simple so you can focus on your warm-up. Just arrive, give us your name, and collect your race bib.

Registration: 05h30 – 07h00
21 km Start: 06h30
12 km Start: 07h00
6 km Start: 07h30
Prize-giving: 10h00

🏃 The Routes & GPX Files

The River Trail offers a beautiful mix of lush riverine sections, classic bushveld, and some technical single-track to keep you on your toes.

6 km (The Fun One): ±145 m ascent. Download GPX
12 km (The Challenger): ±430 m ascent. Download GPX
21 km (The Grinder): ±610 m ascent. Download GPX

🥤 Water Points & Nutrition

You don’t need to worry about carrying a full pantry. Our aid stations are legendary and will be stocked with water, Coke, salts, sweets, potatoes, and sandwiches.

21 km: 3 water points
12 km: 2 water points
6 km: 1 water point

🏅 The Finish Line Vibe

There is nothing quite like the finish line at Harties. Once you cross the line, you’ll be handed your finisher’s medal and a well-earned Jack Black beer or a Red Bull.

Need some post-race TLC? Just Move will be in the race village from 08h00 to 12h00 offering recovery massages to help you bounce back for the next one.

🗺️ What’s Next? The Road to the Loop

The River Trail is just the first step in the 2026 progression. If you enjoy the vibe this weekend, make sure these dates are in your calendar:

Harties Trail Fest

Date: 21 - 22 March 2026
Location: First South African Scouts, Hartbeespoort
The Vibe: A full weekend celebration of trail running and our first marathon distance of the year.