Badlands
Key facts
- Date:
- 30 ago
- Type:
- Ultra / Bikepacking
- Granada · Andalucía · Spain
- Distances:
- 800 km
- Elevation:
- 16.000 m
- Price:
- 315 EUR / 630 EUR (pareja)
About
Badlands stands as one of the most demanding ultra bikepacking events in Southern Europe. Covering 800 km with 16,000 m of elevation gain, the route cuts through the only continental desert on the European mainland, the Tabernas desert, and the dramatic badlands landscape around Gorafe in Granada. Riders face relentless terrain: packed dirt trails, rocky riverbeds, sharp limestone tracks and heat that tests human endurance. With no support crews and no fixed time cutoff, each participant sets their own pace and decisions. In Push Training 360, preparing for Badlands embeds heat-specific blocks and pacing work in the specificity phase, with the coach reviewing weekly FTP adherence and adjusting hydration and nutrition protocols so every rider arrives in Almería with genuine physical reserves.
Frequently asked questions
When does Badlands take place in 2026?
Badlands is held on 30 August 2026, starting from Granada.
What is the distance and elevation gain of Badlands?
Badlands covers 800 km with 16,000 m of total elevation gain. The route passes through the Tabernas Desert and the Gorafe Desert, making it one of the most arid and demanding gravel events in Europe.
Where does Badlands start?
The start is in Granada. The route crosses iconic areas such as the Tabernas Desert and the Gorafe Desert before completing the 800 km.
How to prepare for Badlands with PUSH TRAINING 360?
PUSH TRAINING 360 is a 12-week plan with weekly review, built around 4 phases: aerobic base, threshold building, specificity load, and tapering. For Badlands, with 800 km, 16,000 m of climbing, and desert conditions, the specificity phase includes heat training sessions, simulation of constant rough terrain, and sleep management strategy. Nutrition is covered in 3 phases: digestive adaptation to on-route fueling, hydration strategy under extreme heat, and recovery. Pacing should prioritise the opening night section to avoid reaching the desert with compromised energy reserves.
Which areas does the Badlands route pass through?
The Badlands route passes through the Tabernas Desert and the Gorafe Desert, two of the most arid landscapes in continental Europe, both located in the Granada region.
Want us to coach you?
Pick your race and we build the plan: training, nutrition and mindset in a 12-week program with that event as the goal. Limited spots per edition.
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