About the race
The Freedom Challenge is a non-stop bikepacking race along the Freedom Trail, a 2,150 km mountain bike route across South Africa. Riders navigate with only a map and compass, and the organiser calls it the original and ultimate Freedom event.
History
The organiser says the Freedom Trail was founded in 2004 by David Waddilove, who wanted riders to retrace forgotten paths once used for travel and trade; Wikipedia gives 2003 as the start of the trail. It is now run by Chris and Julia Fisher, who first rode it as their honeymoon in 2013, with Chris as race director. In 2026 the organiser launched a second race, Race Across South Africa, and kept the original under the name Freedom Challenge.
The course
The trail runs from Pietermaritzburg in the east to Wellington in the west, in four portions. It starts in the mountains and valleys of KwaZulu-Natal, crosses the open plains of the Karoo, then passes through the Cape Midlands before ending in the Western Cape's vineyards, passes and fynbos. Wikipedia describes about 33,000 m of climbing and seven biomes. The route is unmarked, on dirt roads and cattle tracks, with overnight stops at guest houses and lodges roughly 6 to 8 hours apart.
Distances and related events
The full race is 2,150 km. Shorter feeder races cover roughly 500 km sections of the route: Race to Rhodes, Race to Cradock, Race to Willowmore and Race to Paarl. Race Across South Africa covers about 2,000 km on a touring route with GPS navigation, and guided Meander tours run on parts of the trail.
Cut-offs and entry
The Freedom Challenge has a 26-day cut-off and is community-supported. Finishers who beat the time limit earn the famous blanket. The organiser's page shows the next race starting on 7 June 2027, and the Race Across South Africa starts on 5 April 2027 with a 15-day cut-off. Entry information and the rider manual are on the organiser's site.
Where to watch
The race is spread across the country and there is no single viewing point. Starts and finishes at Pietermaritzburg and Wellington are the key places.
Weather
June is mid-winter. Wikipedia notes that winter months may be very cold on the trail, with possible snowfall at high points, so riders face cold nights and changeable conditions. This is a general seasonal description, not a forecast.
SourcesFreedom Challenge · Wikipedia: Freedom Trail (South Africa)