Harrismith: Getting There and the Mountain Race

Getting your bearings for your trip to Harrismith

For your travel planning, Harrismith can be viewed in terms of two different ways of getting there. The city lies close to the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban and on important long-distance bus routes. If you are looking for a hotel, compare the specific location given for each listing with your own route. For a road trip, proximity to the N3 provides a geographic reference point; if you are travelling by long-distance bus, the connection that suits your travel date is what matters. These details answer different questions: the N3 places Harrismith in relation to Johannesburg and Durban, while the long-distance bus routes offer another way to travel there. First, consider which mode of transport you plan to use. Then compare the location details of the hotels you are considering with your route.

The Harrismith Mountain Race

The Harrismith Mountain Race could be a specific reason for your trip. The start and finish are both at Harrismith Primary School, giving you the same location for both parts of the race. Having the same start and finish point gives you a clear reference for planning. If you plan to travel for the race, check the club’s latest information before setting out, as it provides race-day details. Plan the details of your stay around the race day relevant to you. Platberg has a different role in the race’s history: the mountain is associated with the historic climb that lies at the heart of the wager. This distinguishes the event venue from its backstory.

The historic wager on Platberg

The story behind the Harrismith Mountain Race dates back to 1904. Major Belcher of the Devon Regiment, which was stationed in occupied Harrismith at the time, wagered that he could climb a local hill in less than an hour. That hill was Platberg. Belcher reached the summit in 52 minutes and won the wager. His time was eight minutes under the one-hour limit. The comparison makes the challenge concrete: both the time limit and successfully reaching the summit mattered. The race is rooted in this wager. The 1904 episode is therefore part of the race’s story, while Harrismith Primary School marks its start and finish point.

War memorials as another historical reference

Harrismith’s war memorials offer another historical perspective. One of them commemorates the Scots Guards and the Grenadier Guards. This is distinct from the story behind the race: Major Belcher was associated with the Devon Regiment, while the memorial names the two Guards regiments. The names therefore point to different historical subjects. If you would also like to explore Harrismith through its history, you can consider the sporting challenge around Platberg and the commemoration of the two regiments as separate themes. The race’s history tells of a wager and a climb; the memorial offers a different historical perspective. You can include these subjects in your travel plans according to your interests.

Discover more destinations: Bethlehem, Paul Roux, Fouriesburg, Memel, Ficksburg, Senekal, Phuthaditjhaba, Roadside

For the broader travel overview: Thabo Mofutsanyane.