13 Peaks Challenge – Peak 11: Klaassenskop

Date: Saturday, 30 August
Start Time: 7:10 AM
Route: Constantia Nek → Bel Ombre → Klaassenskop → Bridle Path → Rooikat → Kirstenbosch → Newlands Forest

On Saturday, 30 August, and by 7:10 AM we were at Constantia Nek, ready for our next adventure on the 13 Peaks Challenge. The day promised perfection: a gentle, partly cloudy sky, cool air, and—best of all—no wind.

Not everyone could make it this time. Saeed, Ash, and Papa Grizzly were missed, which meant Boeta Cassiem only had Chucky to help keep the rest of us in line. And, as always, our stalwart supporter Butch was there from the start—unfailingly patient, the quiet anchor of our journey.

The trail pulled us upward, chatter and laughter flowing as naturally as the morning light. There’s something about a mountain morning that makes every step feel like possibility.

A Trailside Encounter: Meeting Erica Terblanche

Barely twenty minutes in, as we were finding our rhythm on the path toward Bel Ombre, fate gave us a gift. Coming toward us was Erica Terblanche—ultra-endurance athlete, author, and one of South Africa’s most inspiring adventurers.

She greeted us with her trademark smile, exchanged a few warm words of encouragement, and then glided on, light-footed and radiant in the morning air. For us, it felt like the universe had conspired to send a blessing. To meet someone who embodies resilience, passion, and the joy of movement right at the start of our climb—it set the tone for the entire day.

Climbing Toward Klaassenskop

The trail soon grew steeper as we angled up toward Bel Ombre. That steady grind that makes you settle into your breath and remember that challenges aren’t about speed, but presence.

The highlight of this ascent is always “the monkey tree”—a natural obstacle that forces you into a clumsy but fun scramble. It’s a rite of passage on this route, a reminder that hiking isn’t just about the big views but also the quirky, physical puzzles along the way.

With light scrambling and plenty of talking (because yes, girls do like to catch up), we made good progress. And in just under two hours, we reached the summit of Klaassenskop.

Breakfast Above The Clouds

The summit rewarded us with something rare: calm, misty stillness without a breath of wind. It felt like stepping into another world—quiet, suspended, magical.

We unpacked breakfast, sat back, and let the conversations drift in and out of the silence. These are the moments that turn hikes into memories. The food tasted better for being earned, and the mist wrapped around us like a soft secret.

Onward: Distance, Not Just Summits

After our breakfast break, we climbed back through the tree (equally amusing on the way down) and made our way along the Bridle Path. Here, the trail widened, and we got to cheer on a group of Puffer runners, who flew past us with grit and smiles. Sharing the mountain with other adventurers always adds a layer of camaraderie to the day.

And this is where the real truth of the 13 Peaks Challenge shows itself. Summits are exhilarating, yes—but it’s the distance between peaks that demands your time, patience, and energy. The long traverses are where the challenge truly lives.

Rooikat & Kirstenbosch

From the Bridle Path, we turned onto Rooikat Kloof, a descent that is always a pleasure. It isn’t overly technical, but it does require awareness. The earth here demands you watch where you put your feet, but it also rewards you with sweeping paths and a sense of flow.

The contour path eventually led us into Kirstenbosch Gardens, where the trail takes on a completely different personality. Wooden boardwalks, shaded corners, and a few sneaky climbs make this section feel playful compared to the rugged mountain terrain above. It’s like stepping from wilderness into curated beauty, all within the same day.

The Final Stretch

By the time we reached Newlands Forest parking, five hours had slipped past us. Our legs were tired, our energy stretched, but our hearts were full. And there was Butch, patient as ever, waiting with the kind of steady support that makes him the unsung hero of our 13 Peaks journey.

Peak 11 was officially bagged.

Trail Reflections

What stood out most from this adventure wasn’t just the summit. It was:

The serendipity of meeting Erica Terblanche so early on.
The calm magic of a windless summit breakfast.
The realization that the distances between peaks are where the real endurance lies.
The reminder that trails aren’t just walked—they’re shared, laughed over, scrambled through, and deeply lived.

This wasn’t just a climb. It was a day stitched together by effort, laughter, chance encounters, and gratitude.

Trail Notes & Tips

Estimated Time: 5 hours (including breaks)

Summit Time: ~2 hours from Constantia Nek

Highlights: The monkey tree scramble, summit breakfast, Puffer runners, Kirstenbosch boardwalks

Tips for Hikers:

Start early for cooler, calmer conditions.
Pack an easy breakfast to enjoy on the summit—it’s worth it.
Don’t underestimate the distance between peaks.
Watch your footing on Rooikat.
Take a moment in Kirstenbosch—those boardwalks are trail magic in their own right.

Spotlight: Erica Terblanche – Endurance Athlete, Author, Trailblazer

Meeting Erica Terblanche on the trail today felt serendipitous, so it’s only fitting to share a little about her.

Erica is a South African ultra-endurance runner and adventure racer whose feats span deserts, mountains, and some of the most challenging landscapes in the world.

She has raced across the Sahara, the Namib, the Atacama, and the Grand Canyon, testing not just physical limits but the depths of human resilience.

Beyond the races, Erica is a positive psychology coach and strategist. She weaves her expertise in psychology with her lived experience on the trails to guide others in unlocking their own potential.

In her memoir, Run for the Love of Life, Erica shares her extraordinary journey—one that blends the grit of endurance racing with the tenderness of self-discovery. The book isn’t just for runners. It’s for anyone searching for courage, connection, and purpose. Through her story, she shows that running is more than a sport—it’s a way of exploring what it means to be alive.

“It’s packed with information about… the psychological impact of running, race nutrition, the connection between humans and nature… There’s something primal… that will inspire even the most inactive person to get up and start moving.” – False Bay Echo

If you’re looking for a read that will motivate you to get out the door—or perhaps to look inward—grab a copy of Run for the Love of Life. It’s available at Exclusive Books and Publisher.co.za

Closing Thoughts

Peak 11 of the 13 Peaks Challenge is behind us, but what lingers is more than just a tick on a list.

It’s the misty summit, the tree scramble, the laughter along Rooikat, the rhythm of footsteps through Kirstenbosch, and that chance encounter with Erica that reminded us how deeply connected this community really is.

And of course, it’s the quiet presence of Butch, waiting at the finish line, making every step possible.

Five hours. One peak. Countless memories.