Learning
We share the stories of the Cape Floral Kingdom, its wildlife and the communities connected to these landscapes. Our aim is to help guests understand as much about the environments we hike and run in as is possible.
Responsible travel
Leaving the trails better than we found them.
Travel affects the places and people it touches. We want our journeys to contribute, not just to leave no trace.
Sustainable Hiking & Trail Running – Preserving, Maintaining and Improving the Trails
We are committed to protecting the extraordinary environments we are lucky enough to hike and run.
The Cape Floral Kingdom is in our care.
The Western Cape is home to the smallest and richest of the world's six floral kingdoms. Thousands of fynbos species grow here and nowhere else, alongside penguins, whales, baboons and a mountain chain that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walking and running through it is a privilege. We treat it as one, and we ask our guests to do the same.
- Leave No Trace principles on every outing
- Supporting SANParks and CapeNature through permits and partnership
- Trail maintenance and conservation days
- Environmental education for guests and guides
- Small groups and low-impact route choices
People first.
Tourism is one of the Cape's biggest employers, and how the money moves matters. We work with local guides, drivers, hosts and small businesses, pay fairly, and create opportunities for young South Africans entering the industry.
Many of the people you meet on a Cape Trail Tours journey have been with us for years. Their knowledge and warmth are a big part of what our guests remember.
- Community upliftment through the journeys we run
- Employment and mentorship opportunities for emerging guides and talented runners
- Supporting local guides, drivers and service providers
- Choosing family-run farms, restaurants and guesthouses
- Sharing the real stories of the places we visit
Our pledge.
Six commitments we hold ourselves to on every journey.
- 01
We take out everything we carry in, and often a little more.
- 02
We stay on marked trails and respect closures, fire bans and nesting seasons.
- 03
We keep groups small and our footprint light.
- 04
We pay fair rates and prompt invoices to every partner we work with.
- 05
We invest in the people who make Cape tourism possible.
- 06
We keep learning, and we welcome guests who want to learn with us.
How guests can help
Bring a refillable bottle, stay on the path, give wildlife space, and photograph flowers rather than picking them. Tip generously when service is good. Ask questions: the more you understand about the Cape, the more you will love it, and the better you will look after it.
Travel that gives something back.
Tell us whether you are imagining a mountain-focused holiday, a supported trail-running challenge, a Cape Peninsula journey, time in the Winelands or a combination made entirely your own.