FOUR ICONIC ROUTES
26 – 28 JUNE 2026
CHOOSE YOUR CHALLENGE
There’s a Stone Circle gravel adventure for everyone. Each route has been ridden and re-ridden by our route designer Dan more times than any normal human with a family, life and full time job should physically be able to.
New for 2026 is the overnight ultra 340km “Knight Ride” by Wahoo.
Plus if you prefer a more supported environment you can ride in one of the new Girls That Ride Bikes start waves this year. Or look out for the POC Orange Collective who will be riding with a friendly face and a helping hand.
There will also be Ride Captains acting as back markers. They will be riding at the cut off pace for each route, able to assist with any mechanicals out on the course.
THE KNIGHT – NEW FOR 2026
340KM | 4040M | 70% GRAVEL | 1 x CHECK POINT, 3 FEED STATIONS | 2 WATER STOPS
ROUTE FULL
Introducing the Knight Ride, a brand-new 340km ultra challenge at Stone Circle 2026, brought to you by Wahoo.
This June we’re inviting 20 lucky Bastards to ride the triple at the Stone Circle 2026, pioneering our new 340km “Knight Ride”!
Knights will start at 21:00 on Friday night, passing Stonehenge at sunset before heading deep into the Wiltshire countryside on the most popular parts of the Rebel and Jester routes. As dawn breaks on Saturday morning, you’ll pass Stonehenge once more, this time at sunrise, before joining the Bastards for another 200km to finish on Saturday afternoon and be officially Knighted at the Festival Fort.
The overnight section will be lead by Stone Circle Veteran Ben Turner Adventure – adventurer, coach, and chef who loves nothing more than heading off on adventures on two feet and two wheels.
Knights will be supported from dawn by the regular Stone Circle event support and feed stations, and able to book one of the Wahoo demo units which will come complete with pre-loaded routes.
Fro 2026, places have been selected by ballot. Spots are restricted to riders who can average 18km/h in the dark, and currently registered to ride the 2026 Bastard route.
Fitness: 5/5
Technicality: 3/5
Bike choice: Gravel, CX
Tyre width: min 38mm
THE BASTARD – THE ROUTE OF LEGENDS
220 KM | 2,700M | 80% GRAVEL AND SINGLE TRACK | 3 FEED STATIONS | 2 WATER STOPS
Old Sarum, 1086. The illegitimate son of a duke, William the Conqueror, seized his moment. On the very same ground as the Festival Fort, he demanded oaths of fealty, forging an iron grip on England. A testament to the power of ambition. But, can you embody the spirit of William and conquer ‘The Bastard’?
Leaving at dawn as the sun rises, you’ll be riding in the tracks of the ancients as you head towards Salisbury Plain and past Stonehenge. You might see Druids as you pass this ancient monument during the solstice week.
You’ll then be on tracks specially licensed by the Army that you wouldn’t otherwise be allowed to ride, before hitting the iconic fast rolling gravel of the Imber Range perimeter path. Here if you can get into a good group, you can get your head down and tick off some significant early kilometres to the first feed station.
The feel of the ride then changes after Warminster as you leave the wide open plains and enter the ancient woodland of Longleat Forest. The route designer’s favourite section – expect some singletrack, punchy climbs and beautiful forestry. This section takes you to the highpoint of King Alfred’s Tower at 100km, from which you’ll descend to the second feed station for well earned refreshment.
At around 110km you’ve then got some respite from the gravel with 25km of quiet country lanes that take you deep into Dorset and the Blackmore Vale. A disused railway line gets you back off the tarmac but will give your legs a break from the continuous undulations.
Make the most of these easy kilometres as, heading into the final 50km, you’ve got some significant climbing to do as it’s up onto the chalk of the West Wiltshire Downs with panoramic views where you can feel the history of the area.
You’ll descend off the Downs and make your way back to Old Sarum as dusk draws near for a well earned finish line beer.
Bail out option: If you change your mind on the day no worries. You can drop down to the 130km Rebel route at approximately 80km.
Fitness: 5/5
Technicality: 3/5
Bike choice: Gravel, CX
Tyre width: min 38mm
THE REBEL – A PROPER CHALLENGE
137 KM | 1,500M | 75% GRAVEL AND SINGLE TRACK | 2 FEED STATIONS | 1 WATER STOP
For the daring and the defiant, The Rebel Route beckons. Once a prison for the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine, this ancient fort hold secrets waiting to be uncovered. Set out on your quest shortly after sunrise and embark on a journey of epic proportions. Just make sure you return before nightfall.
The Rebel route has been re-designed to avoid the most gruelling “Track and Field” miles from previous iterations. You’ll still follow the same route as the Bastard until deciding to go your own way at 85km, making your way east for another change of scenary as you look to join the ancient “highway” from Glastonbury to Salisbury. This series of Roman rideways and drovers roads takes you most of the way back to Salisbury, before dropping you back into Old Sarum.
You may be riding fewer kilometres but with over 1500m metres of climbing, this is a tough day out!
Fitness: 4/5
Technicality: 3/5
Bike choice: Gravel, CX, MTB
Tyre width: min 38mm
THE JESTER – NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES
82 KM | 1,100M | 70% GRAVEL AND SINGLE TRACK | 1 FEED STATION
There’s more than a touch of mischief to The Jester Route. Famous for bringing a light-hearted touch to serious proceedings, this is a challenging course with a playful twist, mirroring the rollercoaster of a jester’s life.
A great challenge for someone newer to gravel, but still a fantastic solid day out for a seasoned rider (with more time for the afterparty). A lot of this route uses tracks unique to the Jester, but like the other two routes expect a special day out with stunning scenery, taking in the full variety of landscapes the region can offer, but in more bitesize chunks.
Taking a different route to Stonehenge via Bulford and some of the iconic champagne gravel, you’ll dart across the Wye Valley to the Fovant Badges and Cranborne Chase, before heading back to Old Sarum and making the most of the event HQ.
There’s very little in the way of technical gravel on this route, but the hills will still pack a punch!
Fitness: 3/5
Technicality: 2/5
Bike choice: Gravel, CX, MTB, E-bike
Tyre width: min 35mm
