How technical is Badlands?

"This iconic climb is only 700m in length but has an average of 15% and a maximum gradient over 25%" describes Mirador del Fin del Mundo. The Tabernas ramblas require "navigating through a maze made of sand, loose gravel, and rocks" where "you can't always rely on GPS or trail markers." Mandatory hike-a-bike sections through desert terrain demand advanced handling skills.[6]

Badlands Review 2026 | Spain

[01]

Course Overview

800km self-supported through Spanish deserts and 3,400m alpine passes. Where ultra-endurance meets extreme heat.

497 mi

Distance

52,493 ft

Elevation

Granada, Andalusia, Spain

Location

August 30, 2026

Date

~200

Field Size

--

Entry Cost

+ Google Calendar Download .ics

MORE IN SPAIN: The Traka 200 · Gravel Earth Series · Transiberica

[03]

The Course

Solo gravel cyclist riding through arid desert terrain with rocky hills and sparse vegetation under blue sky - Badlands - Granada, Andalusia, Spain

First-person view of gravel cyclist's handlebars on paved mountain road with desert hills and guardrails - Badlands - Granada, Andalusia, Spain

An 800km expedition through Andalusia's extremes. Desert badlands that look like Mars, Europe's only true desert (Tabernas), and the 3,396m Pico Veleta climb. Self-supported means you carry what you need between remote villages. The combination of distance, elevation, heat, and self-reliance is unmatched in gravel racing.

Signature challenge: The complete package—800km of desert heat, alpine altitude, and multi-day self-supported suffering through some of Europe's most extreme terrain.

100

MILE

Gorafe Desert

Lunar badlands terrain at 40°C+. No shade, no water, no mercy. Where the heat begins to break riders.

200

MILE

Tabernas Desert

Europe's only true desert. Extreme heat, exposed terrain. The psychological middle-ground of suffering.

300

MILE

Pico Veleta

3,396m summit—highest paved road in Europe. From 40°C desert to potential freezing. The signature challenge.

400

MILE

Final 200km

Cumulative fatigue after 3+ days. Sleep deprivation, heat damage, mechanical wear. Pure survival to the finish.

RIDERS REPORT

Climb after Tabernas MI 217

14km climb with 1,100m elevation gain that comes after 350km of riding. Riders report knee pain starting on this climb.

First 300km

Basically one big climb with first 1,000 meters of climbing in just 28 kilometers. Sets the tone for massive elevation early in the race.

Coast to mountain transition

After reaching the coast, riders face 3 hours of climbing up a rock garden to get back up from sea level.

Night riding at altitude

Mental battle when it's dark and you can't see what's coming. Riders report nearly falling asleep and having to rest at 2,000m elevation where it's freezing.

Desert section with rivets in the ground that can catch bike wheels and cause crashes. Surface feels twisty and technical.

80km of desert riding through the Tabernas desert that's dramatic and breathtaking, with temperatures reaching 46°C.

Rock garden climbing sections that require sustained technical effort for hours.

[04]

From the Field

One moment you're riding through a desert landscape the likes of which I'd never seen in my life before. The next through a forest, then along a coaster road along a beach and then fast open plains. The highlight for me was the Tabernas desert - it was truly breathtaking on another level.
David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes · 36.5K views

I am here pushing the bike shamelessly but unavoidably up to this ramp that has to be at least 30% or more. I'm even struggling to push the bike uphill - everybody I saw behind was walking it. That is like insanely steep, impossible to climb.
Dusty Pedals · 1.2K views

Badlands is a ultra distance race in Spain in the only desert in Europe - it's 800k with 16,000m of elevation. There's definitely going to be testing times, it's such a long time and you don't really know until you're in it when it's going to pick you up or push you down.
Precision Fuel & Hydration · 75.9K views

I started to support the event two years ago, I am the owner of the store here, so I opened more hours, I encouraged the riders, I gave them tips... But this year it was time to go one step further and involve the whole village, so that people could enjoy and give encouragement to all the riders and make this a party
badlands cc · 175.5K views

I Survived Europe’s Toughest Gravel Race - But It Nearly Broke Me (Badlands 2025)

David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes · 36.5K views · 21:32

Precision Fuel & Hydration · 75.9K views · 26:20

Dusty Pedals · 1.2K views · 56:08

[07]

Training

August 30, 2026 BADLANDS

RIDERS REPORT

Riders recommend adding extra electrolytes, specifically 1500mg tubes, due to high heat. Plan for 35+ hours worth of fuel and don't rely solely on picking up food.

[08]

Train for Badlands

RACE DEMAND PROFILE

Durability

10

Climbing

10

VO2 Power

9

Threshold

5

Technical

10

Heat

10

Altitude

10

Race Specificity

10

3 WORKOUTS BUILT FOR THIS RACE

Each workout below is selected from our archetype library based on Badlands’s specific demands. Click any workout to see the full execution protocol.

Durability Tired VO2max

2.5hr +

VO2max intervals after 2 hours of endurance — power when it matters most.

497 miles. Your legs will beg to quit after 120. This trains the power output you need from mile 130 onward.

Z2 Base 2hr

4m VO2

4m

4m VO2

4m

CD

STRUCTURE 2hr Zone 2 → 2×4min @ 110% FTP / 4min recovery → 10min cool-down

EXECUTION Hold steady Zone 2 for 2 hours. Then hit VO2max intervals on tired legs. They will feel significantly harder than fresh — that's the point. This is what separates race-ready athletes from gym-fit athletes. Fight for form when fatigue hits.

POWER Z2: 65–70% FTP | VO2: 110% FTP | Recovery: 55% FTP

CADENCE 85–90rpm during Z2 base | 95–100rpm on VO2 efforts

POSITION Hoods for Z2 base. Drops for VO2 intervals — aggressive, race position.

RPE Z2 base: 3–4 | VO2 intervals: 8–9

RACE-SPECIFIC: BADLANDS

HEAT PREP August in Granada, Andalusia, Spain — August in Andalusia is brutal. Desert sections reach 40-45°C (104-113°F). Pico Veleta at 3,396m can drop to 5-10°C at night with potential freezing. 30-40°C temperature swings in a single day. Afternoon thunderstorms in mountains possible. Begin heat acclimatization 10–14 days before Badlands — 20–30min sauna sessions or midday rides in full kit. Pre-load sodium 48 hours out. Target 500–750ml/hr with electrolytes on race day. Race-day realities: Extreme heat in desert (40°C+).

NUTRITION Ultra-distance fueling for 497 miles: 80–100g carbs/hour from mile 1 — don’t wait until you’re hungry. Practice your exact race-day nutrition in every long training ride. Carry backup calories. 497 miles burns 8,000–12,000+ calories — you cannot replace them all, but you must try.

ALTITUDE Badlands with 52,493ft of climbing, much of it above 8,000ft demands altitude preparation. Arrive 5–7 days early for acclimatization. Expect 5–15% power reduction at altitude. Increase iron intake 4 weeks out. Hydrate aggressively — altitude increases fluid loss by 20–40%. Alpine cold at altitude.

TERRAIN Highly technical terrain at Badlands demands practice on similar surfaces. Ride desert gravel, alpine passes, technical trails at race-day cadence weekly. Expect: desert gravel, alpine passes, technical mtb trails. Practice cornering, descending, and power delivery on unstable surfaces. Dial in tire pressure before race week — 5 PSI wrong costs you 15+ minutes over 497 miles.

Endurance Terrain Simulation Z2

2hr +

Zone 2 with rolling terrain simulation — undulating power that builds fat oxidation.

Every hard session works better with a bigger aerobic base. At 497 miles, base fitness is the difference between racing and surviving.

WU

RISE

FLAT

RISE

VALLEY

RISE

FLAT

RISE

VALLEY

RISE

CD

STRUCTURE 10min warm-up → 1.75hr alternating 4min @ 72–78% FTP (rises) and 6min @ 62–68% FTP (valleys) → cool-down

EXECUTION Stay in Zone 2 the entire time, but undulate your power to simulate rolling terrain. The rises push the top of Z2; the valleys ease off. This builds terrain-responsive pacing without leaving the aerobic zone. Your body learns to modulate power without thinking.

POWER Rises: 72–78% FTP | Valleys: 62–68% FTP | All within Zone 2

CADENCE Rises: 80–85rpm | Valleys: 88–92rpm

POSITION Alternate: hoods on rises, drops on flats. Build position endurance.

RPE 3–4 throughout — never hard, but never mindless

RACE-SPECIFIC: BADLANDS

HEAT PREP August in Granada, Andalusia, Spain — August in Andalusia is brutal. Desert sections reach 40-45°C (104-113°F). Pico Veleta at 3,396m can drop to 5-10°C at night with potential freezing. 30-40°C temperature swings in a single day. Afternoon thunderstorms in mountains possible. Begin heat acclimatization 10–14 days before Badlands — 20–30min sauna sessions or midday rides in full kit. Pre-load sodium 48 hours out. Target 500–750ml/hr with electrolytes on race day. Race-day realities: Extreme heat in desert (40°C+).

NUTRITION Ultra-distance fueling for 497 miles: 80–100g carbs/hour from mile 1 — don’t wait until you’re hungry. Practice your exact race-day nutrition in every long training ride. Carry backup calories. 497 miles burns 8,000–12,000+ calories — you cannot replace them all, but you must try.

ALTITUDE Badlands with 52,493ft of climbing, much of it above 8,000ft demands altitude preparation. Arrive 5–7 days early for acclimatization. Expect 5–15% power reduction at altitude. Increase iron intake 4 weeks out. Hydrate aggressively — altitude increases fluid loss by 20–40%. Alpine cold at altitude.

TERRAIN Highly technical terrain at Badlands demands practice on similar surfaces. Ride desert gravel, alpine passes, technical trails at race-day cadence weekly. Expect: desert gravel, alpine passes, technical mtb trails. Practice cornering, descending, and power delivery on unstable surfaces. Dial in tire pressure before race week — 5 PSI wrong costs you 15+ minutes over 497 miles.

HVLI Extended Back-to-Back Long

2.5hr + 2hr +

Saturday long ride, Sunday medium ride — back-to-back volume that mimics multi-day fatigue.

497 miles rewards fat oxidation. This volume work shifts your fuel mix so you're still burning fat at hour 5, not bonking at hour 3.

SAT: Z2 2.5hr

SLEEP

SUN: Z2 2hr

CD

STRUCTURE Saturday: 2.5hr Zone 2 | Sunday: 2hr Zone 2 with 3×5min tempo inserts

EXECUTION Saturday loads the fatigue. Sunday tests your ability to ride steady on tired legs. The Sunday tempo inserts at minutes 45, 75, and 105 simulate the surges you’ll face late in a race when your legs are already cooked. This is durability training.

POWER Both: 65–70% FTP | Sunday tempo: 76–82% FTP

CADENCE Saturday: 85–90rpm | Sunday: 85–90rpm, 90–95rpm on tempo inserts

POSITION Both days: rotate positions. Sunday tempo inserts in drops.

RPE Saturday: 3–4 | Sunday Z2: 4–5 | Sunday tempo: 5–6

RACE-SPECIFIC: BADLANDS

HEAT PREP August in Granada, Andalusia, Spain — August in Andalusia is brutal. Desert sections reach 40-45°C (104-113°F). Pico Veleta at 3,396m can drop to 5-10°C at night with potential freezing. 30-40°C temperature swings in a single day. Afternoon thunderstorms in mountains possible. Begin heat acclimatization 10–14 days before Badlands — 20–30min sauna sessions or midday rides in full kit. Pre-load sodium 48 hours out. Target 500–750ml/hr with electrolytes on race day. Race-day realities: Extreme heat in desert (40°C+).

NUTRITION Ultra-distance fueling for 497 miles: 80–100g carbs/hour from mile 1 — don’t wait until you’re hungry. Practice your exact race-day nutrition in every long training ride. Carry backup calories. 497 miles burns 8,000–12,000+ calories — you cannot replace them all, but you must try.

ALTITUDE Badlands with 52,493ft of climbing, much of it above 8,000ft demands altitude preparation. Arrive 5–7 days early for acclimatization. Expect 5–15% power reduction at altitude. Increase iron intake 4 weeks out. Hydrate aggressively — altitude increases fluid loss by 20–40%. Alpine cold at altitude.

TERRAIN Highly technical terrain at Badlands demands practice on similar surfaces. Ride desert gravel, alpine passes, technical trails at race-day cadence weekly. Expect: desert gravel, alpine passes, technical mtb trails. Practice cornering, descending, and power delivery on unstable surfaces. Dial in tire pressure before race week — 5 PSI wrong costs you 15+ minutes over 497 miles.

FREE

GET THE BADLANDS PREP KIT

12-week training timeline, race-day checklists, packing list, and personalized fueling calculator — unlocked instantly.

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[09]

Race Logistics

Airport

AGP (Málaga) - 90min drive; GRX (Granada) - local but limited; SVQ (Seville) - 2.5hr

Lodging

Granada city for pre/post race. During race: bivvy/sleeping bag as needed, occasional hotel/hostel stops for resupply and rest. Plan your sleep strategy.

Food

Self-supported—resupply at villages, bars, shops. Carry enough between stops. Spanish villages may have limited hours.

Packet Pickup

Pre-race in Granada with bike check and mandatory equipment verification.

Parking

Granada start/finish area.

RIDERS REPORT

Start deliberately slow, keep heart rate down, and ease into it since it's such a long day. Resist urge to go faster early on.

Plan nutrition strategy with 90g carbs per hour for first part, then settle into sustainable pacing. Carry enough to be self-sufficient for first 24 hours.

When falling asleep while riding, take a 30-minute rest even in poor conditions rather than risk crashing.

OFFICIAL SITE

[10]

Tire Picks

45mmTECHNICAL

1

Schwalbe G-One Bite

45mm · $70 · 38W

high puncture protection for sharp surfaces. excellent wet grip

2

Maxxis Reaver

45mm · $80 · 35W

high puncture protection for sharp surfaces

3

Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S

45mm · $74

high puncture protection for sharp surfaces. excellent wet grip

FULL TIRE GUIDE & PRESSURE TABLE

NEWS

Latest Coverage

[—]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the climate like at Badlands?

42°C desert temperatures nearly caused heatstroke: "Just before the climb out of the desert I had to lie down, I knew my body well enough to know that I was balancing on the edge of heat stroke." Starting at cool morning temps, the race transitions to brutal afternoon heat where riders practice "vampire racing" - hiding from sun during peak hours.[4]

How are the logistics for Badlands?

Registration opens for exactly 5 days in November with demand exceeding spots 5:1. Granada provides excellent access via multiple airports, but self-supported format means managing 100km+ desert stretches with zero resupply. "The event organisers had agreed with a cafe in Gor to open for 24 hours for the riders, which proved to be invaluable," Bradley notes about the strategic support points.[6]

How adventurous is Badlands?

"so much more than just a bike race. It's an experience with an incredible community exploring one of the most beautiful and brutal parts of Southern Spain." The route crosses three distinct desert systems, volcanic coastlines, and UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. "The views never get old," Hall notes about returning annually to the same otherworldly landscapes.[4]

How prestigious is Badlands?

Elite riders like Mattia de Marchi, Sarah Scozzaro, and James Mark Hayden validate the field depth. "Even after riding for close to 750 km and without any sleep for the final 48 hours, I don't remember any moments of panic," de Marchi reports. The event attracts serious ultra-endurance specialists who treat it as a career-defining challenge rather than weekend adventure.[6]

Should I race Badlands?

Yes if you have genuine ultra-endurance experience and want the ultimate test. Yes if you can handle extreme heat and self-support logistics. Skip if you haven't completed multi-day bikepacking events or can't adapt to 40°C+ conditions.

[11]

Sources & Citations

Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.

Route Maps RideWithGPS: BADLANDS UNPLUGGEDridewithgps.com/routes/53936171
Community Redditwww.reddit.com/r/TrueFilm/comments/mn7scg/badlands_whats_...
Community gravgrav.cc: Badlands 2024 Race Reportgravgrav.cc/en/article/badlands-2024-race-report
Community voomnutrition.co.uk: Badlands Race Report The Worlds Most Brutal Gravel Racewww.voomnutrition.co.uk/blog/badlands-race-report-the-wor...
Community road.cc: Badlands 2023 My Epic Journey Through Europes Toughest Gr...road.cc/offroad/content/feature/badlands-2023-my-epic-jou...
Community buzzalong.cc: Badlands Race Recap 800 Km Ultra Cycling Gravel Race Thro...www.buzzalong.cc/post/badlands-race-recap-800-km-ultra-cy...
Community siestacampers.com: Badlands Gravel Challengewww.siestacampers.com/blog/badlands-gravel-challenge
Community experienceland.org: Badlands Gravel Battlewww.experienceland.org/badlands-gravel-battle
Video YouTubewww.youtube.com/@badlandscc
Live Tracking DotWatcherdotwatcher.cc/feature/badlands-2024-race-report-and-winner
Live Tracking DotWatcherdotwatcher.cc/race/badlands-2024
Live Tracking DotWatcherdotwatcher.cc/race/badlands-2025
Other Sources Badlandsbadlands.cc/badlands2026/
Other Sources Badlandsbadlands.cc/faqs/
Other Sources Battistradabattistrada.com/en/event/badlands-gravel-adventure/12476/
Other Sources Bikepackingbikepacking.com/bikes/2025-badlands-rigs/
Other Sources Bikepackingbikepacking.com/news/escape-gravel-riding-badlands-carlos...
Other Sources Bikepackingbikepacking.com/news/event-recaps/badlands-2024-recap/
Other Sources Bikepackingbikepacking.com/tracker/badlands-2024/
Other Sources Bikepackingbikepacking.com/tracker/badlands-2025/

Badlands

The Ratings

Train for Badlands

Course Overview

The Course

From the Field

Racer Reviews

RATE BADLANDS

Training

Train for Badlands

RACE DEMAND PROFILE

3 WORKOUTS BUILT FOR THIS RACE

GET THE BADLANDS PREP KIT

Race Logistics

Tire Picks

Latest Coverage

Similar Races

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the climate like at Badlands?

How are the logistics for Badlands?

How adventurous is Badlands?

How prestigious is Badlands?

Should I race Badlands?

Sources & Citations