Photo: Altezzatravel ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Table Mountain between two oceans.
Ultra-Trail Cape Town starts at 04:00 in the city centre and heads straight up Table Mountain: 99 km and 5,000 m of climbing within 26 hours, with views over the Twelve Apostles and two oceans. Part of the World Trail Majors, with 100-mile, 55, 35 and 23 km options. Southern summer in November makes it a fine season closer — with the Stellenbosch wineries and penguins after the finish.
- The Table Mountain plateau at sunrise
- The Karbonkelberg ridge above Hout Bay
- Llandudno beach and the Twelve Apostles
- A recovery day in Stellenbosch
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Transfer, walk
Arrival in Cape Town
We settle into a guesthouse at the foot of Table Mountain, ten minutes on foot from the Gardens start. An evening walk along the V&A Waterfront.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Cape Town - DAY 2 · 8 km, 350 m of ascent
Shakeout on Lion’s Head
An 8 km loop around Lion’s Head (669 m) — views of the city, Table Mountain and the ocean. A check on how the body handles the heat and early mornings.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Cape Town - DAY 3 · 6 km, 700 m of climbing
Table Mountain via Platteklip
Up Platteklip Gorge to the plateau (1,085 m) — a race section — then down by cable car. Only 6 km, but steep. Bib collection and the kit check in the afternoon.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Cape Town - DAY 4 · Rest, briefing
The day before the start
Rest, a nap, the organisers’ briefing. Ivan goes through the first 50 km: Table Mountain, the drop to Hout Bay and the Karbonkelberg climb. Bed by eight.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Cape Town - DAY 5 · Race, 99 km
UT100: 04:00 start
A dark start from Gardens Rugby Club, sunrise on the Table Mountain plateau. Then Llandudno, Hout Bay, Karbonkelberg, Constantia and the forest return to the finish. A 26-hour limit; we support at the permitted points and at the finish.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Cape Town - DAY 6 · Recover account
Recovery in Stellenbosch
We welcome the overnight finishers, then drive out to the Stellenbosch wine valley: a slow lunch, shade and race talk.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Cape Town - DAY 7 · Outing, transfer
Penguins and departure
Boulders Beach and its penguins in the morning, the Cape of Good Hope for those on late flights. Transfer to the airport.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
6 nights in a guesthouse in Gardens
Breakfasts and three shared dinners
Airport transfers and a group car
Two shakeout runs on Table Mountain and Lion’s Head
Ivan’s support at aid stations and the finish
A Stellenbosch outing on the recovery day
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
UTCT entry fee
Lunches and tastings
Single supplement
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
The UT100 calls for a 60 km-plus mountain finish and readiness for heat and technical rock; the PT55 suits a mountain marathoner. Ivan trains for the front-loaded profile: two big climbs in the first 50 km.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Trail shoes already tested in training
- A running vest, soft flasks and rain protection
- Layers for changing weather and familiar trail food
- Poles, if suitable for the route and you know how to use them
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.