RACE REPORT - Houtkapper Trail Run 2025 - Rheendendal

Active Living Active Living
Jul 8, 2025
8 min read

A Journey Through Knysna's Magic and History

The Houtkapper Trail Run truly deserves its own post. What an incredible run! I can honestly say that selective memory plays a role in every run, and when I reflect on the last time I participated in this race, I realize just how much I missed.

As a novice then, I overlooked so many of the beautiful and mystical elements of the race.

But this time? I was ready to appreciate every step, every tree, and every twist in the trail.

The Beginnings of the Houtkapper Trail Run

The Houtkapper Trail Run est 2013 is part of the Oyster Festival runs in Knysna, a celebrated annual event that attracts thousands of runners and outdoor enthusiasts.

The trail takes you through the lush landscapes of Rheenendal, a peaceful farming area about 22km from central Knysna.

The stunning Quinta da Montana wedding venue is the starting point, offering an ideal location for both relaxation and adventure.

As soon as you turn onto the road leading to Rheenendal, you know you're in for something special. The road winds its way through beautiful farmland and dense forests, but don't be fooled by the distance — it's not just a quick 5-minute drive. It’s more of an immersive journey, one that sets the stage for the adventure to come.

The Race Village: Cozy, Welcoming, and Full of Vibes

Arriving at the venue, you’re greeted by a well-signposted parking area and a lively race village, which is equipped with everything you need to fuel up before the race. Coffee, pancakes, burgers, and more await hungry runners, with warm fires set up around cozy tables and tents where participants can warm up and chat away the chilly winter winds.

The weather at Quinta da Montana can be deceptive — the cool breeze off the mountain can give you a bit of a chill, so you’ll be glad for the warmth of the fires and the energy of fellow runners.

Three Distances to Choose From: A Challenge for Every Runner

The Houtkapper Trail Run offers three race distances — a 9km, 15km, and 27km — each varying in difficulty, but all promising breath taking scenery. The race takes you through the Sanparks area in Rheenendal, including parts of the Drupkelders hiking trails and the Kringe in die Bos (circles in the forest) trails.

These trails are not just about running; they’re an experience for the senses.

The 15km route, which I took on, comes with a challenging 520m of vertical ascent. Most of the climbing happens in the first 5km, so it’s not a race for the faint-hearted. But trust me, the stunning views and the wild beauty of the forest make every step worth it.

The Run: A Soul-Stirring Experience in the Forest

The race begins on a farm with a gentle meander that leads to the start of the Drupkelders trail. The next few kilometers are on single-track paths that wind their way through thick forest, filled with diverse plant life.

As you ascend a total of 500m over 3.5km, you can’t help but be awestruck by the beauty of the forest around you. The towering trees, moss-covered stones, and the quiet murmurs of the forest make it feel almost mystical — an experience that words can barely capture.

By the 5.5km mark, there's a lovely downhill section that leads you to the next majestic part of the trail. The next few kilometers are an exhilarating rollercoaster — down, down, and down into the heart of the forest.

It’s at this point that you truly feel like you’re in the heart of nature, surrounded by the symphony of the forest. The calls of the Knysna loeries echo through the trees, their vibrant colours flashing as they flit between the branches. The baboons are there too, moving in the distance, their playful antics adding a bit of humour to the wildness around you. And if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a bushbuck darting through the underbrush, or even the shy, elusive forest creatures that call this magical place home.

But beyond the sounds of the forest, it's the physical and sensory overload that truly grabs you. The lush moss blankets the ground beneath your feet, making the forest floor feel like it’s alive. It's as if you’re running through a living carpet of nature, where every step seems to connect you even more deeply to the world around you. The air is thick with the smell of damp earth, the faint scent of mushrooms and fungi mingling with the freshness of the trees. Ferns unfurl like ancient scrolls, while fallen trees, long since reduced to knotted skeletons, rest in peaceful surrender to the forest’s cycle of life.

The roots, too, seem to take on lives of their own, reaching out like the fingers of the earth itself, grabbing at your feet and challenging you with every stride. Some of the paths are tight, weaving through tall standing trees that seem to whisper stories of old. The combination of ancient fallen trunks, gnarled tree roots, and thick moss gives the feeling of running through a forest that has been unchanged for centuries — a world apart from the hustle of modern life.

As you cross waterfalls and tackle the slippery rocks, the race turns into more than just a physical test. The trail constantly demands your attention, testing your balance, your focus, and your ability to adapt. The wet, slick stones underfoot are just the beginning — it’s the bridges that truly throw you for a loop.

There are so many of them, I honestly lost count (who has time for that when you’re trying not to slip off the edge?). Some of these bridges are thick with moss, slippery as eel skin, and others seem to defy all logic, bouncing like a trampoline when you cross them.

These bridges, often suspended above rushing streams or boggy, fern-lined banks, require a surprising amount of concentration. It’s not just about getting across; it’s about finding your footing on each wooden plank, making sure your balance stays true as you step from one side to the other. Some of the bridges even have a slightly bouncy feel — like an oversized trampoline designed by Mother Nature herself. You can feel the give beneath your feet, and for a second, it almost feels like you’re floating.

I’ll admit, I almost had my own ALMOST spectacular fall on one of the trickier bridges. It was that perfect moment of grace — a split-second of balance where everything seemed to be going fine, and then swish … I slid over it and thankfully landed with perfect balance right into the mud just after the bridge. 😂

Fortunately, I kept my footing just long enough to prevent a full-blown, cinematic-style crash, but that slide into the mud was my “victory” lap — a perfect and fitting end to a truly wild section of the race.

The real challenge here is not just finishing the race, but in learning to flow with the land, to take each obstacle with the grace of someone who is part of this forest, rather than an outsider passing through.

The moss-covered rocks, the swinging bridges, the tangled roots — it’s all part of the journey, and you realize that while your legs might be aching, your spirit feels lighter. There’s a kind of magic in these woods, a magic that feeds your soul with every stride, every breath, every step deeper into the forest.

The Daleen Matthee Memorial: A Tribute to a Literary Legend

One of the most magical parts of the trail is the moment when you come out of the forest and find yourself at the Daleen Matthee memorial. For those unfamiliar with her work, Daleen Matthee is a beloved South African author best known for writing Kringe in die Bos (Circles in the Forest) and Fiela se Kind (Fiela's Child). These novels, which tell stories of love, loss, and the struggles of rural South Africa, were partially inspired by the very forest you are running through.

Kringe in die Bos particularly captures the mystical beauty of the Knysna forest. The novel, which has also been adapted into a movie, explores the deep bond between humans and nature, a theme that resonates powerfully as you run through these trails. For any lover of literature or nature, standing at the Daleen Matthee memorial is a deeply moving experience.

About Daleen Matthee

Let’s take a moment to celebrate the legacy of the incredible Daleen Matthee. Her novels Kringe in die Bos and Fiela se Kind are two of South Africa’s literary treasures, and her writing continues to inspire readers around the world.

Matthee’s love for the Knysna forest, and her deep understanding of its mystique, shines through in her work. Running through the very forest that inspired her stories felt like a full-circle moment, and for anyone who enjoys literature and nature, it’s an experience not to be missed.

The Final Stretch: Downhill to a Warm Welcome

From the memorial, it’s a quick descent on a gravel road back to the starting point at Quinta da Montana. The final stretch feels almost like a victory lap — though your legs may be sore, the excitement of the race and the warmth of the community awaiting you makes every last step a celebration.

At the finish line, runners are greeted with a cool drink and a warm welcome. There’s something truly special about the camaraderie in these races. Whether you’re an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, the Houtkapper Trail Run offers an opportunity to connect with nature and fellow runners in a way that transcends the competition.

The Verdict: A Must-Do for Trail Enthusiasts

The Houtkapper Trail Run is impeccably organized by the Knysna Marathon Club, and I can confidently say that it’s an experience every trail runner should add to their bucket list.

It’s not an easy race — the 15km route requires solid fitness, and you need to be at least half marathon fit to tackle the vertical climbs and technical terrain.

But it’s not just about speed. Trail running is about the journey, the connection with nature, and the soul-nourishing experience of running through wild, untamed beauty.

While the photos in this post will give you just a glimpse of what the forest looks like, nothing compares to the magic of being there in person.

The trees themselves seem to feed your soul, and the beauty of the forest has a way of transforming you. When you emerge from these trails, you’ll leave not just with memories, but feeling like a new person. There’s something profoundly healing and humbling about being surrounded by nature’s purest form, and the Houtkapper Trail Run offers that in abundance.

So, if you’re ready for a challenge that will test your endurance, reward your effort with breath taking views, and leave you with a sense of accomplishment and awe, the Houtkapper Trail Run is definitely worth it.

The Houtkapper Trail Run is more than just a race; it’s a journey that nourishes the soul and challenges the body. The beautiful Knysna forest, with its ancient trees, moss-covered rocks, and vibrant wildlife, offers an unforgettable experience that you won’t find anywhere else.

Whether you're an experienced trail runner or someone looking to connect with nature, this race has something magical to offer. So, lace up your shoes, take a deep breath, and prepare for an adventure that will stay with you long after you’ve crossed the finish line..