Race to Rhodes route
The Race to Rhodes is a 480 km non-stop bike-packing race that introduces riders to the raw beauty and challenge of the Freedom Trail, showcasing the rugged landscapes of rural KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The route winds through remote villages, farmlands, and valleys, with riders welcomed into rustic guesthouses along the way, where hearty meals and warm hospitality offer a brief respite from the trail. A highlight is the passage through the wild Ntsekeni Nature Reserve, where untamed terrain and isolation make navigation and self-reliance essential. The race culminates in the legendary ascent of Lehana’s Pass, an arduous hike-a-bike climb onto the high plateau above Rhodes that has earned its place as one of the most iconic and demanding sections of the entire Freedom Challenge. For many, completing the Race to Rhodes is more than just finishing a race, it is a rite of passage into the Freedom Challenge family and the first step toward conquering the full trail.
7 days
480 km
10 750m
June 2026
map & compass
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The route follows the Freedom Trail from Pietermaritzburg to Rhodes along a wide variety of off-road terrain – dirt roads, farm roads and tracks, footpaths and animal tracks. It largely follows the route taken by Trappist monks as they headed into the area previously known as No-man's Land and East Griqualand and then across the Maloti Drakensberg Mountains to the village of Rhodes. Many of the trails retrace old historic wagon routes which are no longer in regular use. Apart from the riding, there are numerous portage sections where riders will have to hike, push and even carry their bikes.
The table below shows breakdown of distances, climbing and estimated ride times between support stations and interim stops.
Support station splits
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