Ultra Trail Sleeping Beauty

23/08/2026

SAVE THE DATE - we’re awakening adventure again on 3 April 2027! 🗓️ Be part of something special… 💚 UTSB entries opening soon! 🔜

24/04/2026

CITY NATURE CHALLENGE 2026 - The Hessequa Tourism invites members of the public to participate in the 2026 City Nature Challenge, with the objective of documenting as many species as possible.

Every photo taken could add another species to the global record, help scientists better understand and protect biodiversity and promote tourism for the region. Hessequa is located within the Cape Floral Kingdom, and offers nature reserves, nature trails and an already diverse fynbos offering.

This year, the Werner Frehse Nature Reserve plays host to the Hessequa Municipal outreach aligned with the City Nature Challenge – we invite you to join us on Friday, 24 April 2026 from 09h00 until 11h30 as we observe and log as many species as possible at this incredible nature reserve. The entrance is at the Riversdale Shooting Range, located along the Vermaaklikheid Road.

NOTE
- Ensure that you have downloaded the iNaturalist App before arrival.
- Wear hiking attire including hiking shoes.
-Ensure that your cell phone is 100% charged.
- Ensure that your cell phone is loaded with data.
- Bring along an energy bar and fluids.

The City Nature Challenge (CNC) is a four-day global nature event taking place 24-27 April 2026. All observations are done using the iNaturalist App, which is downloadable via the Apply Store and Play Store (Android phones).

Garden Route & Klein Karoo Tourism l Hessequa Municipality l Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve l The Way To Wanderlust

20/04/2026

🌿📸 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙?

The City Nature Challenge 2026 is here – and it’s your chance to help put the Garden Route on the global biodiversity map! 🌍✨

From birds in your backyard to plants along your favourite trail, every WILD observation counts. Simply snap, upload, and contribute to real scientific data.

We would love to hear from you:
🌱 Are you planning a nature outing with friends, family, or colleagues?
📍 Where will you be snapping your photos this year?
📷 What species are you hoping to spot?

Whether it’s a weekend hike, a beach walk, or insetcs in your own garden – nature is everywhere. Let’s make 2026 our biggest challenge yet! 💚

Visit our blog to learn more:
https://gouritz.com/join-the-2026-garden-route-city-nature-challenge/


Garden Route INaturalist

17/04/2026

🏆Our podium winners for UTSB 2026🏆

65km men:

🥇Gabriël Kriel 6h28
🥈Keith Jansen 7h17
🥉 Nicolas de Wet 8h01

65km women:

🥇 Lodelia Kombrink 7h21
🥈 Cornel O’Kennedy 8h49
🥉 Karla Smit 9h06

40km men:

🥇 Robert Rorich 3h39
🥈 Robert Hobson 3h53
🥉 Christian Spies 4h27

40km women:

🥇 Kirsten Dunn 4h50
🥈 Claudine du Plessis 5h00
🥉 Nancy Cloete 5h11

20km men:

🥇 Travis Oosthuizen 1h30
🥈 Udo Karsten 1h46
🥉 Isak Wüst 1h51

20km women:
🥇 Heidi de Jager 1h31
🥈 Lindie vd Burgh 1h36
🥉 Hanlie Schamrel 1h41

10km men:
🥇 Antris Ivy 48m59
🥈 Gerrie Lombard 54m54
🥉 SP Keyser 56m54

10km women:

🥇 Neelke Stadler 54m54
🥈 Tilda Jansen 62m28
🥉 Tereta Lourens 62m42

We are in awe!! 💪🥳🤩

16/04/2026

✨More magical UTSB moments here - please support our local photographers if you like what you see:✨

Madri Stegmann Fotografie - Rooiwaterspruit
https://photofrog.co.za/buy/2y69b

Amelia Uys - Riversdal Apteek Aid Station
https://photofrog.co.za/buy/nmowz

Thys Sutherland - Windhoek dam close to race village
https://photofrog.co.za/events/nmoj7-utsb-dammetjie-by-race-village

Betsie van Noordwyk - Tolhuis
https://photofrog.co.za/buy/8wxl7

Photos captured of UTSB (Tolhuis) by Van Noordwyk

15/04/2026

15/04/2026

Another proud moment this weekend: our beautiful dorpie has been nominated for town of the year! 🤩 If you feel the same way about Riversdal as we do, please vote by Friday; and maybe we can get UTSB to feature on Kwêla! 📺

Om te stem, SMS die naam RIVERSDAL na 33157.

- SMS’e kos R1.50 per sms.
- Elke nommer mag slegs 30 keer stem.
- Gratis SMS’e tel nie.
- SMS voor 17 April 2026 om 12h00 (namiddag).

15/04/2026

A few summit shots captured by our fantastic selfie trio, Mark, Tim and Dee 📸🏔️