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Gravel Burn set to blaze a trail through the heart of the Karoo

The event is a reminder that the Karoo’s gravel roads can also host world-class adventure sport.

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As the Nedbank Gravel Burn gears up for its 2026 edition, the Karoo is set to play host once again to one of South Africa’s most exciting and internationally noted cycling events.

The seven-day gravel stage race has confirmed its dates, start town and plans that will see riders and visitors alike experience remote semi-desert routes across fossil-rich plains, community intersections and stunning night skies deep within the interior.

A Karoo start and an epic journey

Organisers have revealed that the 2026 race will begin in Graaff-Reinet, one of South Africa’s oldest settlements and a traditional gateway to the Great Karoo.

From there the route pushes north and east, traversing rugged ridges, gravel corridors between farms, and open plains that have long defined Karoo geography.

Riders will then continue toward the Eastern Cape bushveld region before finishing at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, where wildlife sightings (possibly including Africa’s iconic Big 5) await at the end of the stage race.

The official race calendar shows the Gravel Burn will take place from 25 to 31 October 2026, with entries having opened earlier in the year. Competitors of all levels are encouraged to take part, whether racing for personal goals or competing with the international field.

Great Karoo challenges and appeal

What makes the Gravel Burn stand out (and what appeals especially to Karoo observers) is how authentically the route reflects the character of the interior.

Riders will truly engage with its breadth, moving from valley floor to plateau, climbing mountain passes and skirting farm roads that often connect to dusty towns.

This blend of terrain tests participants physically while showing spectators and communities a side of the Karoo that’s not usually captured in standard tourism narratives.

The race’s presence in the region also matters for local economies. Along with elite cyclists and international entries, groups of support staff, media and intrigued visitors are likely to settle for multiple nights in towns along the course, especially around early Burn Camps in key spots such as Blaauwater and Merino.

Riders then have the chance to see first-hand remote places that are often only read about in books or seen from busy highways.

Local impact and Karoo visibility

Although live spectatorship is naturally limited by the vastness of the terrain and the nature of gravel racing, the event brings focus to the Karoo’s breadth and depth.

Towns like Graaff-Reinet often benefit from being a start or stop point for multi-day events, with hospitality businesses reporting increased bookings and local cultural sites gaining attention from visiting riders and families.

There’s also an undeniable sense of regional pride in seeing the Karoo’s rugged passes and rural communities written into the storyline of an international event.

Participants, many from overseas or distant provinces, send back images and anecdotes from the course that shine a light on places that rarely feature in mainstream sports coverage.

More than just a race

What sets the Gravel Burn apart from other sporting events is how it brings together extreme sport, long-distance travel and cultural contact. Nights spent around campfires and the stark contrast between dust-blown afternoons and star-filled Karoo skies all contribute to a unique experience of place and endurance.

In its inaugural edition in 2025, riders covered nearly 800 kilometres across the Great Karoo and Eastern Cape, battling everything from wind and changing weather to technical terrain.

Some stages saw tight finishes and tight competition, with local rider Matt Beers winning key legs and holding a slim lead at various points before stage finishes at bushveld reserves.

Getting ready for the race

The Gravel Burn promises to help change how South Africans and international visitors alike think about the interior. The event is a reminder that the Karoo’s gravel roads can also host world-class adventure sport while connecting remote communities to global audiences.