Mont-Aux-Sources Challenge

Elevate and Conquer!

MAS-LOGO

This acclaimed, often sold-out one-day epic trail run takes place in the Royal Natal National Park, part of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Site and home to the critically endangered Bearded Vulture.

This challenge with a legendary 50km route offers the most unique views in the world. Runners traverse through the Mahai Valley, tackle the infamous chain ladders, and scramble down the Gully. The popular 21km offers a fun and challenging new route explored since 2021. 

This sought-after event raises funds for the conservation efforts of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife which does critical work in the Royal Natal National Park in line with the conservation mandate as a World Heritage Site.

The Mont-Aux-Sources Challenge, the king of all trail runs, where mountains are conquered through elevated grit. 

Event Costs
Event Details
Local Entries

If you live in an around Royal Natal Park, you qualify for a discount on entry fees as part of our “locals” package.

Local Entry Fees

50Km: R2 465

21km: R1 615

We will have a locals’ fun prize category at the event to showcase the Kings and Queens of your local running community!

If you qualify as a local, please email events@wildtrust.co.za with the subject line “Local entry Mont-Aux-Sources Challenge.

Itinerary

This is what participants can expect for the Mont-Aux-Sources event weekend.

  • 50km - First Batch: 05:30 Start

  • 21km - First Batch: 07:30 Start

R2900

R2500 +
R400 conservation donation

Enquiries

Fundraising

All funds raised through this event will be used to enable the Bearded Vulture conservation work being done by WILDLANDS, a programme of the WILDTRUST, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Honorary Officers.

Your Routes in Detail

The Mont-Aux-Sources Challenge is SA’s Oldest Trail Run, and takes you up to over a third of the way up Everest! You will start your run in the picturesque Mahai Campsite, and then run past Gudu Bush, on your way up to Witsieshoek Resort.

This is where one of our camera traps at the Bearded vulture feeding site is placed. A fabulous water table awaits you at Witsieshoek. From there you will run up a gnarly dirt road section, followed by some paved tar to ease your tired legs! Keep a lookout for the Bearded vulture along the way – they have been known to roost alongside the road on the brick walls.

At Sentinel Car park, 18 km in, you will be greeted by our hosts at the car park, who will make sure that you have enough water and food to carry you up the zig-zags, and onto the Chain ladders. At the chain ladders, you will be met by Gavin and his team of professional mountain guides, to strap you into a safety harness for the exhilarating climb up the chain ladders.

Take a bit of time on your way up to savour the view!! Just don’t look down. Once you ascend the chain ladders, you will have a short incline to the top of the world!! Two km more will take you to the top of the worlds highest waterfall.

Take a moment out to savor the view, and then make your way to the Gully, where you will descend the rocky path down, again assisted by Gavins team and fixed ropes to hold onto. You might even encounter some snow. Once you reach the trail again, its time to head down and stock up again at Sentinel Car park, for the last push down.

Keep strong, keep your head in the game, and you will have conquered the mighty Mont-Aux-Sources Challenge and earned your special trophy! Good luck!!

The new 21km route is a breathtaking circular route with no overlapping trails within the Royal Natal National Park. We are using existing hiking trails which are very runnable and the descent to the finish will be very fast and flowing.

Your route in a flash - You will start at Mahai campsite, run up to Tiger Falls, past Lookout Rock, down and around Ploughman's Kop towards the Diamond before turning and running down home past Sunday Falls.

This new route is a must on your 21km mountain bucket list!

You will have about 700m elevation gain, reaching a max of 1870m.

Event Maps

50km - Elevation Gain: 3,091m
21km - Elevation Gain: 2,210m
50km and 21km Entry includes:
Please Note :
Gallery

Elevate and Conquer!

Through your participation,
you enable us to do more for nature conservation

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