Nedbank Gravel Burn 2026 has just extinguished its last bonfire and packed up the Burn Camps for the year. But plans are already afoot for the 2027 edition, which takes place from 25-30 October.
Paid partnership with Nedbank Gravel Burn
At 700km and with 8,000m of climbing over six days, the Nedbank Gravel Burn provides a stern test for amateurs and professionals alike. It’s also a rare chance to travel back in time: the route largely crosses geological formations from the Karoo Supergroup’s Beaufort Group, showcasing an unparalleled treasure trove of ancient proto-mammalian therapsid fossils, a history that goes back some 252 million years.
Not only will riders be fully immersed in the splendid isolation of the Karoo, but they’ll also enjoy racing that is red hot from the Pro category riders all the way through the numerous Age Group categories (with the praiseworthy achievement is rewarded with a leader jersey just like the Pros.
While the men and women at the sharp end might finish somewhat faster than the rider who is just out on the route to soak up the scenery, the beauty of the race is that it all comes together in the Burn Camps.
Whether milling about after a languid lunch or chatting over pulled-from-the-bone Karoo lamb spit for dinner, professionals and general participants get to share spaces and stories unlike anywhere else.
It’s a case of “You never know who you might be sitting next to at dinner.” Riders might be sipping a barista-made cortado next to a Monument winner, or asking an Olympic medalist to pass the Cab Sav. It’s a race first and foremost, but it’s also a rare opportunity to rub shoulders with champions and get to know fellow riders – sometimes, riders might even drop their competitive streak, as was the case with two rivals in the age-group category this year.
Struggling on Stage 5, category leader David Jenkins was close to throwing in the towel, yet from nowhere, his friendly rival in the category, Charl Kemp, pulled up alongside him and gallantly paced him back to the finish. This is how friendships are forged, and stories are made.
Like this year’s edition, the 2027 Nedbank Gravel Burn will start in Robert Sobukwe Town / Graaff-Reinet. This scenic, historic hotspot is the ideal location to ease into the six days of riding, because once riders leave the jacaranda-lined streets – egged on by enthusiastic locals – it’s straight into the wide, open spaces of the Karoo.
Immersed in the Karoo, far from home, remote but not alone
On the bike, riders will tackle remote gravel roads, challenging mountain passes and vast open plains, passing through landscapes shaped by millions of years of geological history. Up above, endless, piercing blue Karoo skies will be a constant guide.
The journey eventually leaves the semi-desert behind, reaching the contrasting landscape of Shamwari Private Game Reserve, where the final stage concludes in Big 5 country with Eastern Cape bushveld scenery.
For two-time mountain bike marathon world champion Henrique Avancini, one of the standout experiences of 2026 was encountering wildlife while riding through Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
“Riding there was amazing,” he said. “On the road, we saw giraffes; they ran alongside us for about a kilometre.” The landscape, the wildlife encounters and the opportunity to explore parts of South Africa that few cyclists would otherwise experience are all part of the adventure. At six days long, there is a high probability of a curious kudu jumping out in front of riders!
Whether racing for an age-group podium or simply aiming to complete every stage, riders can take on the challenge at their own pace and with their own ambitions. And with the new format fitting into a single week, the experience will be easier to accommodate around work, family and other commitments, without losing the achievement or the sense of adventure.
Friendly fires, starry nights and a place for storytelling – embracing the Burn Camp
This is the real difference. This is the make-or-break when thinking about taking on the Nedbank Gravel Burn. Riders have never experienced a race village quite like a Burn Camp. It’s wild, it’s remote, it’s hospitable, it’s the place where riders will make gravel racing memories. In short, the Burn Camps are at the heart of the Nedbank Gravel Burn experience.
The purpose-built camps provide a remarkable setting for riders to relax, recover and enjoy the atmosphere after each day’s racing. Three years ago, nothing existed in these locations. Today, there are fully functioning race villages in the middle of nowhere – it’s truly a marvel of event planning and logistics.
Each rider stays in a safari-style tent (large enough to stand up in) with a comfortable camp bed, arranged in intimate camp circles known as lapas. Three meals a day, bountiful snacks, Karoo-inspired cuisine, complimentary barista coffee, beer, wine, recovery sessions, bike washing, secure bike storage and comprehensive medical support are all included. Stray buck have also been known to make an appearance.
The luggage logistics are taken care of, too, with bags collected from riders’ tents and delivered to their next Burn Camp while riders are out racing.
As the sun sets and the fires are lit, hundreds of riders from around the world come together to share stories, compare their experiences and enjoy the camaraderie that develops over a week of riding.
Filippo Colombo, who finished runner-up to Matt Beers by just 32 seconds in the 2026 general classification, was particularly taken by the experience. “I loved the camping and being in the middle of nowhere,” he said. “There’s no other race that can deliver an experience like this.”
It’s a powerful endorsement from one of the world’s top professional riders, and a reminder that Gravel Burn offers something quite different from the traditional stage-racing format.
Make an early commitment for 2027
Entries for the third edition of the Nedbank Gravel Burn opened on 5 November 2026, with three entry phases rewarding riders who commit early.
For South African and Namibian riders, the Early Bird entry is priced at R43,990 and closes on 19 November 2026, offering a saving of R3,000 compared with the regular entry fee of R46,990, and R6,000 compared with the final entry phase of R49,990. International entries start at USD3,290.
An optional three-instalment payment plan is available during the Early Bird phase, allowing riders to spread the cost rather than paying the full entry fee upfront. Early Bird and Regular entries also benefit from a flexible withdrawal policy. Riders who need to cancel before 31 August 2027 can receive a refund less the applicable cancellation fee, while those wishing to transfer their entry to 2028 can do so without an additional transfer fee, paying only any difference to the 2028 Early Bird entry price.
These options make committing early a more practical decision, giving riders the opportunity to secure the best available price while allowing time to plan, prepare and train.
Add the Nedbank Gravel Burn to the calendar. With almost a year to prepare, riders can build towards the challenge, arrive with confidence and make the most of every kilometre.
Nedbank Gravel Burn 2027
25-30 October 2027
Six stages | Approximately 700km | Approximately 8000m of climbing
Robert Sobukwe Town / Graaff-Reinet to Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Find out more and secure your entry
Paid partnership with Nedbank Gravel Burn
