Berg & Bush - The Descent

Thursday

Registration for the Descent will take place at Em’seni – The Race Village – on Thursday, 4 June 2026.

• You will spend the night at Em’seni if you have booked accommodation with Berg & Bush.

• Race briefing and dinner will take place at Em’seni.

For the race start on Friday, 5 June at Cathedral Wine Estate you have TWO options:

• Self-drive & car shuttle on Friday morning (9km from Winterton / 24km from Emseni Camp)

• Bus to Start – bikes are sent up on Thursday, and your bus to start on Friday

If you select the “Bus to Start” option, your bike will be transported to the start on Thursday.

You will get breakfast at Em’seni.

• The Buses to the Start will leave after breakfast.

• You can drive your own car to the start with your bike.

• Your car will be returned via the shuttle service offered by Harrismith School 

Shuttle bookings can be done on your entry (Add to cart)

Day 1: Setting out from the beautiful Catherdral Peak Wine estate we will ride over the large Glen Grey dam wall. This dam is used by local farmers to irrigate the soya beans and maize grown in the area. After a steep climb we start encountering large herds of eland, giraffe, waterbuck and other antelope on the Gace Family game farm. Dropping down on some exhilarating tracks, we pass under the Bergville / Winterton main road. Tranquil private farm roads take us through Ekajesu Farm and then onto Mount Alice Farm. This farm has a significant historical background, as 30,000 British troops camped here during the Anglo-Boer War. A climb up Naval Gun Hill brings us to the newly constructed Insane Descent. It drops down flowing, fun single track through tall aloes and Tugela Valley Bushveld for several kilometres. The final climb of the day up Lantana Pass comes at about the 60km mark, and we finish the last 7km down Sizwe’s which is guaranteed to put a smile on any cyclists' face. Total distance on Day 1 = 67km

Day 2: 60km

After crossing the Tugela River via the vehicle bridge we climb up the old wagon route passing one of the tallest aloes is South Africa before reaching Spionkop Lodge . Well known throughout  the world for its famous Spionkop battlefield tours we leave the lodge riding via  Little Red. Reaching the top gives us beautiful views of the Drakensberg mountains before we start descending down via cattle tracks and maize fields . A steady climb up Wesleys way takes on an exhilarating descent down 4×4 tracks and into St Antons which is a purpose built bicycle track through a river ravine and out onto a quite district road . The first water point is the gateway to Mike pass a short steep climb which often  creates a challenge amongst friends.  17km of the most insane downhill and single track  riding then follows  as we descend down Puffadder pass and Mazambanes to water point 2 . Recrossing the Tugela river we ride along Garden of Eden following the river back to the race village

Day 3: 50km

To start the day we cross the big Tugela river over the bridge following quiet farm roads before climbing up Brakfontein hill which was used as a lookout during the Anglo Boer war. We then sweep down into the Kloof which is a beautiful African valley filled with Acacia trees and Aloes. We climb out of the other side on a well-built and challenging climb constructed by well known trail builder Glen Harrison. Some fast riding through dairy and cattle farms brings us into Tugela Morden game farm where regular sightings of giraffe occur. Dropping into Grand Canyon we follow the river bed before arriving at the base of Spioenkop mountain to tackle the climb. The Boer route as it is now called is this infamous gradual ascent created last year by the trail team and  involves a 4km 180m climb with 50 switch backs taking riders  to the summit of Spioenkop mountain. The 15km descent back down to the race village is probably some of the most exhilarating and enjoyable riding you will ever have before we welcome you home back to the race village.

Your entry fee includes:

• 3 days of pure Berg & Bush trails. From the Drakensberg down into KZN bushveld, this is why you ride!

• 1 beautiful Race Village – your new home!

• A goodie bag per person

• 3 meals a day plus access to our famous chill zone

• 24-hour coffee, tea, juice and crunchie station

• Race facilities like hot showers, bike wash, chill zones, bar and more.

• Medical support on the route.

• Charity-run water points along the route with the most incredible local treats and people manning them!

It does not include:

• You can add the below tent options on your entry, includes all 3 nights:

  • FishEagle Tent

  • Emseni Room

  • Kudu Tent (Canvas tent with stretchers and event mattress)

  • Weaver Tent (Large canvas tent with bed, event mattress and linen)

  • Kingfisher Tent (X-Large canvas tent with bed, linen and electricity)

  • Self-camping

• Shuttles – you can book these separately.

• Massages, physio, car shuttles, bike transport and bike mechanic service – book these separately.

• Drinks from our race village pub

Refunds processed up to 30 April 2026 will be refunded at 90% of entry fee. 

However you can also sell your entry to another rider and do an online substitution.

The same refund policy applies to the cost of a tent, if it cannot be sold to another rider.

No refunds will be made on partial payments. You need to be fully paid up to qualify for refund policy above. 

I undertake to participate entirely at my own risk. I agree that I shall have no claims whatsoever against the organizing body, any individuals, organiser or official, marshal, assistant, helper or agent, the sponsors, any local authority or land owners, in respect of any loss or damage whatsoever I may suffer arising from any injury to my person or loss or damage to property as a result of, or arising out of, whether directly or indirectly, my participation in this event, including my arrival and departure there from and attendance of any ceremony and function thereof, however such loss or damage may arise and regardless of whether or not same shall have been caused directly or indirectly by negligence, of one or more or all of the aforementioned parties. In the event of my approval of this form as a guardian of a minor, I hereby consent to such minor being bound by the foregoing and further I indemnify the aforementioned parties to the extent, if any, to which such minor is not capable of waiving his rights as stipulated within. I agree to participate subject to rules including any drug tests and penalties provided for therein. By entering, I agree to email and SMS communications from Howler and possibly the timing company depending on the timing provider, regarding event details. I have read the above indemnity and the rules understand them and shall abide by them.

Cancellation due to Force Majeure and Severe Weather. If Berg and Bush is forced to cancel a stage (or stages) due to severe weather conditions or fires that puts riders’ safety at risk, the riders will not have any claim against the organisers or any of their sponsors of whatsoever nature in these circumstances. Berg and Bush reserves the right to change the route for inter alia, safety and security reasons without notice. If Berg and Bush is cancelled in total as a last resort due to events beyond our control (force majeure) – relating to, inter alia, political turmoil, natural disasters, strikes, protest action or any other major disturbance beyond our control, riders will have no claim whatsoever including but not limited to a refund against the organisers or any of their sponsors. This will include entry fees and or flights and other expenses. Berg and Bush will do everything in our power to reroute and to run the event in a safe and secure manner should any event of force majeure arise.