WESSA Ultra Trail Festival
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
WESSA Ultra Trail Festival
The WESSA Ultra Trail Festival takes place on 24 October 2026 at the WESSA uMngeni Nature Reserve in Howick. The event marks the reserve’s 100 year conservation anniversary and is set across approximately 900 hectares of varied landscapes.
Routes pass through escarpments, rolling grasslands, indigenous forests and the uMngeni Valley. Course features include flowing river crossings, cliffside trails, open plateaus, woodland singletrack, technical descents and valley viewpoints. The event is organised as loop courses and course layouts may be subject to change.
Distances and key course details:
- 100 km, 8 aid stations, elevation TBC
- 75 km, 6 aid stations, 2170 m elevation
- 48 km, 4 aid stations, 1616 m elevation
- 36 km, 4 aid stations, 1273 m elevation
- 18 km, 3 aid stations, 794 m elevation
- 12 km, 2 aid stations, 395 m elevation
- 5.85 km, 1 aid station, 169 m elevation
Compulsory kit is required on several longer courses and may be checked before, during or after the race. Required items listed for those races include a mobile phone with emergency contact, minimum 1 L hydration capacity, at least one energy bar or emergency nutrition, emergency blanket, torch or night light, whistle and basic first aid supplies such as bandages. Additional clothing and increased hydration capacity are specified for cold or warm conditions. Pets are not permitted at the venue. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
