Badlands 2025 - The Wildest Gravel Challenge in Europe
Straight out of Granada. The gravel never stops. By the early hours of Day 2, I reached Gor — 230km in, nearly 5,000 metres of climbing. Dusty tracks. Steep climbs. Blistering sun. Every pedal stroke a test. Every corner, a new view. This is Badlands — Europe’s wildest gravel race, and the adventure has only just begun.
Badlands is widely regarded as the wildest gravel race in Europe, set against the raw and dramatic backdrop of southern Spain. Riders take on more than 750 kilometers of rugged terrain, climbing over 15,000 meters through deserts, high mountains, and remote trails. With no outside support allowed, competitors must carry everything they need and rely on their own planning, resilience, and resourcefulness to make it through.
What makes Badlands truly unique is its scenery. The route cuts through the only official desert in Europe — the Tabernas Desert — famous for its cinematic landscapes, as well as the Sierra Nevada mountains, where riders face both scorching heat and frigid high-altitude passes. It is this blend of extremes that makes the event so appealing: one moment riders are navigating dry, dusty tracks under a blazing sun, the next they’re grinding up alpine climbs with sweeping views.
The spirit of Badlands lies in its combination of adventure and challenge. It attracts riders from around the world who are not only chasing performance but also the experience of being immersed in landscapes that feel almost otherworldly. There are no podiums or fanfare at the finish line, just the satisfaction of surviving one of the toughest bikepacking races on the continent. For many, finishing Badlands is less about speed and more about proving they can endure the wildest gravel race in Europe.
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- Cycling gear -
Coros Dura Bike Computer
Tailfin Top Bag
Tailfin Aeropack + Carbon Rack
RedShift Quick Release Aero Bars
Redshift Suspension seat post and Stem
Charge Spoon (saddle)
- Bivvy / Camping gear -
Hunka XL Bivvy Bag -
https://alpkit.com/products/hunka-xl?variant=41470529667177UL80 Trekology Sleeping Pad -
https://amzn.to/3ZGQLtTSea to Summit Reactor Plus Compact Themolite Mummy Liner -
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00:00 - Badlands 2025
01:30 - Start Line
02:43 - The Race Begins
08:46 - It's All Getting Rather Hot!
10:12 - Dusty Desert Tracks and Dry River Beds
12:12 - First Hike-a-bike section of the day - So Steep!
17:47 - Reaching Gor and the start of the Gorafe Desert
23:40 - The Night Shift