4 Peaks Mountain Challenge

Course highlights

The skyline route runs clockwise around an amphitheatre curving around the valley of Moolmanshoek. Starting at 1750m, the first high peak is 'The Pyramid' at 2167m. There are some sections of fairly flat terrain along the high ridges. Grassy tussocks form a large part of the landscape, broken by rock bands and steep scrambles to reach the saddles and high points. The terrain is definitely not for the faint of heart and good preparation is a must.  Four very distinctive peaks, make up the race as one circle the Moolmanshoek valley.  The route is not marked but very easy to navigate with marshals and very clear signage at key places.  There are some very steep places that needs to be navigated with the two toughest places being behind Jakobs berg and Visierskerf.  The other thing that makes the challenge of the 4 Peaks so unique is that it is an unsupported race with every athlete required to carry a list with some safety items and also a provision of water.  The race is a combination of steep up hills and steep descends with some parts that are just amazing to run.  The easiest part and probably most enjoyable being the section between the second pyramid up to the descent behind Jakobs berg.  After that comes the tricky section behind Visierskerf and the climb up to the highest point of the race at Sikonyela’s hat.  After this is it is slow, or rather fast descend (depending on the condition of one’s legs) to the donga’s.  Coming out of the dongas leaves one with a short and relatively flat portion to the start/finish line.  The total distance is only 24km, but one will never think of 24km in the same way.