Badlands Gravel

Extreme
Date
2026-10-09
Location
Granada, Andalusia, Spain
Distance
747 km
Elevation
14000m
Category
Ultra
Region
Europe
Organizer
bikepacking.com
Terrain
Gravel, Mountain Roads
About

Self-supported ultra-gravel race through the deserts and mountains of Andalusia. One of the toughest in Europe.

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▌ RIDER INTEL DOSSIER
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TIER 1
~/dossier/badlands-gravel $ cat briefing.md

▌ Self-supported across Andalusia's deserts and mountains.

A modern European ultra classic. Granada to Granada via Tabernas desert + Sierra Nevada — 750 km of self-supported brutality.

EFFORT54/60
EXPER.59/70
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13 SCORING DIMENSIONS

BADLANDS GRAVEL
LENGTH10/10CLIMBING10/10DURABILITY10/10HEAT9/10ALTITUDE7/10TECHNICALITY8/10ADVENTURE10/10SCENERY10/10ORGANIZATION9/10VALUE9/10COMMUNITY9/10ACCESSIBILITY4/10FIELD DEPTH8/10
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EFFORT MATRIX

LENGTH10/10
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747 km through Andalusia
CLIMBING10/10
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14,000 m — relentless Sierra Nevada terrain
DURABILITY10/10
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4-7 days self-supported
HEAT09/10
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October Andalusia: 25-35°C in valleys
ALTITUDE07/10
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Sierra Nevada passes 2,500+ m
TECHNICALITY08/10
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Tabernas desert tracks, Sierra rock gardens
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EXPERIENCE MATRIX

ADVENTURE10/10
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European-style Atlas Mountain Race
SCENERY10/10
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Tabernas desert, Sierra Nevada, Mediterranean
ORGANIZATION09/10
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Well-run by Bikepacking ES community
VALUE09/10
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Excellent value for an ultra of this scale
COMMUNITY09/10
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Strong European bikepacking community
ACCESSIBILITY04/10
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Application required, prior ultra experience
FIELD DEPTH08/10
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Top European ultra-distance racers
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GREEN FLAGS

  • [+]Self-supported European ultra at its purest
  • [+]Tabernas desert is unique to Europe
  • [+]Sierra Nevada climbing rewards mountain riders
  • [+]October timing avoids summer heat
  • [+]Strong bikepacking community
  • [+]Granada is a beautiful base city
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RED FLAGS

  • [!]Self-supported = need ultra experience
  • [!]Heat in Tabernas can be brutal even in October
  • [!]Hike-a-bike sections in Sierra Nevada
  • [!]Resupply gaps in remote terrain
  • [!]Application required — competitive
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RIDER FIT

BikepackerPRIME · 10/10

European-style Atlas Mountain Race

ClimberPRIME · 10/10

14,000 m of Sierra Nevada climbing

Heat SpecialistPRIME · 9/10

Tabernas heat tests warm-weather riders

Adventure TouristPRIME · 10/10

Andalusia in all its diversity

Endurance MulePRIME · 9/10

Multi-day rhythm rewards patience

Crit RacerAVOID · 1/10

Wrong universe

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⚡ SIGNATURE CHALLENGE
Desert + mountains in one race

Few ultras combine true desert (Tabernas) with high alpine (Sierra Nevada). Train for both heat tolerance and mountain power — most riders are weak in one.

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TIRE INTEL

WIDTH
45-55 mm or 2.1-2.4" MTB
PRESSURE
22-28 psi
PATTERN
Aggressive knobbies for desert + mountain terrain

Tabernas + Sierra Nevada terrain demands MTB-style tires. Sharp rocks, sand, hike-a-bike. Tubeless mandatory; carry plug kit + tubes.

▶ TOP PICKS
1.Maxxis Ardent Race[2.25"]— Workhorse XC tire, durable + fast
2.Schwalbe G-One R[50mm]— For drop-bar setups, comfort + grip
3.Vittoria Mezcal[2.25"]— Sierra Nevada rock garden grip
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WEATHER PLAYBOOK

Early October Andalusia: 25-35°C in valleys, 5-15°C at Sierra Nevada altitude. Big swings. Pack sun protection + warm layers.

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PACING PLAYBOOK

01
Day 1 — Granada to Tabernas (~150 km)~150 km

Heat begins. Pace by feel, not rivals.

02
Days 2-3 — Tabernas + east (~400 km)~400 km

Most remote section. Carry water aggressively.

03
Day 4 — Sierra Nevada climbing (~600 km)~600 km

Real climbing block. Manage gearing + altitude.

04
Day 5 — Return to Granada (~747 km)~747 km

Final push. Beautiful Granada finish is the prize.

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WHAT TO FEAR

  • [!01]Tabernas heat exhaustion
  • [!02]Sierra Nevada altitude hits hard after days of riding
  • [!03]Mechanical failure in remote desert
  • [!04]Sleep deprivation by day 3
  • [!05]Mental crisis at the desert midway
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TRAVEL OPS

AIRPORTGranada (GRX) — closest, limited flights. Málaga (AGP) — 1.5 hr drive, more flights.
LODGINGGranada has many options. Pre-race in central Granada, post-race celebrate in the Albayzín.
FOODResupply at Andalusian villages every 30-60 km. Carry 12-hr buffer.
PACKET PICKUPPre-race brief in Granada — mandatory.
PARKINGGranada parking limited — most arrive by air.
▌ BOTTOM LINE

Europe's answer to Atlas Mountain Race. Slightly shorter, slightly more accessible, equally beautiful.

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IF NOT THIS, THEN

  • →Want similar African:Atlas Mountain Race
  • →Want longer Italian:Italian Divide
  • →Want Spanish flagship:The Traka
  • →Want bigger ultra:Tour Divide

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