BISLEY NATURE RESERVE TR
13 September 2026
Discover the untamed beauty of trail running at the Bisley Trail Run. Nestled just outside Pietermaritzburg, the Bisley Nature Reserve is a hidden gem where giraffe, wildebeest and zebra roam freely, while an impressive variety of birdlife—including the Southern Tchagra, Dwarf Bittern, Corncrake and Booted Eagle—makes every run a true nature experience.
The route meanders through rolling grasslands and rugged thornveld, revealing sweeping views and an authentic sense of wilderness. Whether you’re chasing a personal best on the fast, runnable trails or taking your time to soak up the scenery, the Bisley Trail Run offers the perfect blend of challenge, adventure and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
- Date: Sunday, 15 March 2026
- Registration: 06:00 onwards
- Race Briefing: 15min before each race
- Race Types: Loop
- Venue: Bisley Nature Reserve, Pietermaritzburg
- No pets
- View Previous Album (click here)
- FAQs and T's and C's Here
OPENING SPECIAL NOW AVAILABLE
SPECIAL CLOSES TUESDAY, 14 JULY 2026
Courses
Short (5km) Course
The 5km Short Course at Bisley is short, punchy and full of character – a perfect introduction to trail running in the reserve.
The route opens with a kilometre of descending trail, giving runners a chance to find their rhythm before the course begins to wind through the bushveld.
From there, the trail moves onto flowing jeep track and singletrack, weaving through acacia-dotted grasslands and thornveld. Gentle undulations, a few bridge crossings and open views keep things interesting throughout the compact loop.
It’s fast, scenic and over almost before you want it to be — a short adventure that leaves the legs warm and the smile wide.
Medium (10km) Course
The 10km Medium Course offers a well-rounded taste of Bisley — enough challenge to feel earned while still remaining highly runnable.
Runners begin with the opening kilometre of descending trail, before the route gradually settles into rolling terrain that leads deeper into the reserve.
A mix of jeep track and winding singletrack carries runners through open grasslands and sections of thornveld, with steady climbs and gentle descents creating long stretches where you can settle into a comfortable rhythm. This route really captures the sense of Bisley as an urban lung, with bushveld surroundings and distant views of the city beyond.
A final push toward the finish leaves the legs pleasantly tired, the head clear, and the heart full after time spent out on the trails.
Long (18km) Course
The 18km Long Course is the full Bisley experience — challenging, rewarding and classic trail running.
All routes begin with a fast kilometre of descending trail, allowing runners to settle in quickly before the route begins to wind deeper into the reserve. From there, the course rolls across jeep track and singletrack, linking together some of the wilder sections of Bisley Nature Reserve.
Around the halfway point, runners will encounter the course’s most demanding climb, accounting for a significant portion of the total elevation gain and testing both vasbyt and endurance. But the effort is rewarded with flowing descents and undulating terrain, carrying runners home through sweeping bushveld views, the constant soundtrack of birdlife, and the occasional reminder that giraffe, zebra and antelope also call Bisley home.
It’s a big, honest run that leaves you tired, satisfied, and already thinking about the next time.
Download file: KZNTR-Bisley-Nature-Reserve-TR-Long-Course.gpx
Compulsory Kit: There is no compulsory kit requirements for this race. Courses are subject to change.
Download file: KZNTR-Bisley-Nature-Reserve-TR-Medium-Course.gpx
Compulsory Kit: There is no compulsory kit requirements for this race. Courses are subject to change.
Download file: KZNTR-Bisley-Nature-Reserve-TR-Short-Course.gpx
