Gravel Desert
Gravel through the Monegros, Europe's only natural desert. 85 km or 167 km across arid, exposed terrain.
The race
Gravel Desert covers the Monegros, Europe’s only natural desert, in the heart of the Hoya de Huesca. Starting from Grañén, with endless white tracks, badlands, wind-battered plains and short, dry climbs. Two distances: 85 km and 167 km. The organisation is run by the Klassmark team, the same people behind The Traka, which guarantees signage, aid stations and a serious sporting standard.
What makes it hard
- Exposure: no shade, no trees, no escape. If the wind blows, it really blows. If the sun beats down, there is nowhere to shelter.
- Sustained pace: the terrain is fast-rolling. The trap is going too hard in the first half thinking it is easy. The last two hours punish that mistake.
- Critical hydration: mild April temperatures can turn extreme at midday. Water management decides the outcome.
- Dust and rough sections: white tracks with broken sections. Equipment and technical composure matter as much as your legs.
How we prepare you
We build endurance at high aerobic pace with 4-5 hour rides at controlled cadence. Specific pacing sessions on long flat terrain to avoid the fast-start trap. Hydration strategy calibrated to your body weight and the expected weather profile. If you are doing the 167, we plan a private second feed station beyond the official one.
Limited spots per edition. If you like the contrast of a desert in Europe, apply.
How we prepare you
for Gravel Desert.
3 months of PUSH TRAINING 360 — periodised training, race-specific nutrition and sports psychology — designed so you arrive in Grañén with the fitness, the mindset and the plan this race demands.
Going to race it?
Prepare it with a programme designed by endurance cyclists, not a generic PDF.
Questions about Gravel Desert
When does the Gravel Desert 2027 take place?
The 2027 edition is in April, in Grañén (Huesca). The exact date is confirmed on the official website a few months before. Worth marking your calendar as spots sell out fast.
What distances does the Gravel Desert offer?
Two distances: 85 km and 167 km. The 85 is the option for getting into the desert without risking a bonk; the 167 is the full event that covers the most punishing sections of the Monegros.
Is it actually a desert or just dry plains?
The Monegros is Europe's only natural desert by climatic classification. Do not expect dunes, but do expect endless white tracks, badlands, treeless plains with no shade and no escape. The sense of isolation is real.
What is the best bike for the Gravel Desert?
Race gravel with 40-45 mm tubeless tyres. The terrain is fast-rolling with broken sections, so the setup matters: calibrated tyre pressure, tyre clearance and at least one tubeless repair kit.
Does it get very hot in April in the Monegros?
Mild temperatures at dawn (10-14°C) and midday peaks that can already exceed 25°C in full sun. The wind is the other variable: if the levante blows, it will grind you through the last 60 km.
How much water should you carry between aid stations?
In the 167, the sections between aid stations are around 40-50 km in areas with no natural support point. Two 750 ml bottles plus a hydration pack is the standard setup to avoid running dry.
Is this a good race to prepare for longer events like The Traka?
Yes, especially in the lead-up block of February-March. The Gravel Desert has a long metabolic demand profile similar to the Traka 200 in duration, but with less elevation — a good intermediate test.
How many weeks of preparation do I need for the 167?
Ten to twelve weeks if you come with an aerobic base. The last four weeks focus on pacing on long flat sections and gut training at high intensity — the most common mistake in the 167 is going too hard in the first half.