Edition #2 · 25–31 October 2026
From a historic Karoo town, traversing vast semi-desert terrain, finishing in Big 5 country, we stay each night in remote Burn Camps, connecting with old and new friends under bright starry skies.
Race start
Film
The route
Riders take on challenging mountain passes, unpredictable conditions and mixed road surfaces, and are rewarded with uniquely beautiful and contrasting scenery as the race reaches its conclusion at Shamwari.
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Seven stages from Robert Sobukwe Town / Graaff-Reinet across the Great Karoo to Big 5 country at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, with four Burn Camps along the way:
Stage 1 · Sun, 25 Oct
Out of town and onto Karoo gravel: climbing towards Conical Peak before a rough, remote descent, then a windswept drag to Blaauwater Burn Camp.
Stage 1 in detailStage 2 · Mon, 26 Oct
The 2025 riders’ favourite: a loop via Sneeuberg Nature Reserve, around Compassberg and through Nieu-Bethesda, on every kind of gravel.
Stage 2 in detailStage 3 · Tue, 27 Oct
The longest stage: Wapadsberg Pass, long rolling tar sections, through lush riverside farmland with a summit finish on Swaershoek Pass.
Stage 3 in detailStage 4 · Wed, 28 Oct
Fast, rolling hills: the roads trend down towards the Klein-Visrivier valley, then gradually upwards again, back to Merino Burn Camp for another night.
Stage 4 in detailStage 5 · Thu, 29 Oct
A mix of surfaces: heading due south, then east towards Gwanishi, across remote semi-desert on smooth open gravel, rough farm tracks and a paved connector.
Stage 5 in detailStage 6 · Fri, 30 Oct
From Karoo plains into African bushveld: almost all on gravel, with unpredictable surfaces, treacherous riverbeds and a 33 km safari liaison.
Stage 6 in detailStage 7 · Sat, 31 Oct
The Big 5 ride: a Shamwari loop through Founder’s Gate, past Alicedale and over Assegaai, then home through The Gauntlet to the celebrations.
Stage 7 in detail
Padstal
Summit
Technical descent
River crossing
Railway crossing
FinishThe Experience
Something special happens when the stars come out over the Karoo and Burn Camp life ignites – rivals become friends and new connections are made in a full immersion into legendary Karoo hospitality, culture, flavours and aromas and its hidden secrets.
The race
Gravel lovers of every level ride the same route as Olympic and world champions, and everyone sleeps in the same Burn Camps. Race for a result, or ride for the adventure.
Categories, jerseys and prize moneyNight Burn · Fired up by Red Bull
Qualify in the Red Bull KM on Stage 4, then race under the stars at Shamwari on the penultimate night, with bonfires, DJs and the whole Burn Camp watching, while "The Fox", Henrique Avancini, hunts you down.
Stage 6 · The Big 5 liaison
Winning the inaugural Nedbank Gravel Burn was the highlight of my 2025 season … To win my home race meant a lot, especially against many of the same guys I race against in the US … Everyone wants to race it in 2026.
Trophies & medals
The champions light the closing fire at the Burn Celebration with their Fire Starters: handmade from titanium, brass, indigenous Karoo olienhout and ostrich leather, bound together by a 42 g gold ring.
Founder
In 2004, Kevin founded the Cape Epic and built it into the race known as the Tour de France of mountain biking. After selling it, he took a two-year sabbatical, and gravel bike expeditions in the Swiss Alps sparked his next venture: Nedbank Gravel Burn, created with the team behind the Cape Epic.
PartnersHerotel steps up from internet service provider in 2025 to headline sponsor in 2026, with greater responsibility for connecting the race’s remote Burn Camps and letting riders share their adventures with the world.
Founder's blogLast year, Bryce Carter finished Nedbank Gravel Burn on a Bowhead. This year, four adaptive riders line up – and making it possible has been one of the biggest logistical puzzles we've ever solved.
PartnersPinarello brings their bicycle engineering expertise to bear as an Industry Partner with Nedbank Gravel Burn.
Three entry phases: rewarding riders who commit early.
