“Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” Sci-fi fans will recognise this famous line from Doc Emmett Brown at the end of Back to the Future. Maybe he was a gravel rider ahead of his time? While we won’t be travelling through time just yet, this year is fast disappearing down the gravel trail, which means it’s time to look ahead. So what does 2026 have in store? Here’s our final roundup of the gravel-filled opportunities waiting for you in the year ahead.

Veneto Gravel 2026 – 17^th 22^nd April – Veneto, Italy

“Veneto Gravel isn't a race, but a free-wheeling adventure. No time trials, just the pure experience of bikepacking, without pressure or competition. A  timeless journey through nature, hard work, and absolute freedom. Veneto Gravel is an escape. A chance to escape the daily grind and rediscover the natural rhythm of things: that of the pedal, of the sunrise, of a stop in the shade, of a sunset seen from the saddle.” That’s how the organisers of the 2026 version of the Veneto Trail describe their event. 

This perennially popular event will see participants tackling one of four route choices:

• CLASSIC - 720 km with 4300m of climbing. It is the heart of the Veneto Gravel. A complete adventure that takes you on a discovery of the Veneto region's diverse landscape: from the Venice Lagoon to the foothills of the Dolomites, traversing hills, rivers, cities of art, and back roads seemingly made for cycling. With its 720 km and 4,300 meters of elevation gain, the Classic is designed for those who want to experience bikepacking in complete freedom, without extreme stretches but with the taste of distance. It's the most popular route, the one that has made thousands of participants fall in love. A slow, authentic journey, where every kilometre has something to tell.
• SHORT BEACH - 400 km with 2800 m of climbing. The Short Beach is a concentration of the essence of Veneto Gravel: 400 km of riverbanks, dirt roads, rural landscapes, natural and coastal environments, up to the foot of the Dolomites. A varied and surprising route, capable of changing face with every kilometre, combining nature, history and silence perfect for listening to in the saddle. With 2,800 meters of elevation gain, it is ideal for those seeking a true, intense adventure that can be managed in just a few days. A journey that gets into your legs… and never leaves your head.
• SHORT LAKE - 400 km with 1800m of climbing. Short Lake is the smoothest and most relaxed side of Veneto Gravel. 400 km of pure beauty between rivers and countryside, taking you through the Veneto hills to the majestic Lake Garda. With a modest elevation gain of 1,800 meters, it's ideal for those who want to experience a bikepacking adventure without too much effort, enjoying breathtaking views and varied landscapes. An authentic journey, to be undertaken at your own pace, with the freedom to discover every corner along the way.
• NEWBIE - 200 km with 2800m of climbing. The Newbie route is the perfect introduction to the world of Veneto Gravel. With 200 km and 2,800 meters of elevation gain, it offers an intense yet accessible experience, ideal for those who want to approach bikepacking with a manageable route. It traverses authentic landscapes between countryside, riverbanks, small villages, the suggestive Prosecco hills and the first glimpses of the Dolomites, keeping alive the desire for adventure without complications. A journey designed to help you learn about the bike and the road, discovering the beauty of freedom in the saddle.

Entries into Veneto Gravel cost €119 and you can find all the details at the event website.

Nature is Bike 2026 - May 30/31st – Angers, France

After a year’s repose in 2025, Nature is Bike returns to the gravel calendar in 2026 and promises to have something for every type of cyclist. Described as a “festival of gravel and adventure cycling” Nature is Bike invites gravel riders and bikepackers “to experience for a weekend cycling in the gravel and adventure bike spirit: passion, territories exploration, sharing, reconnecting with nature with a dose of conviviality.“

Based in the medieval town of Angers in west France, the Nature is Bike festival offers everything from the Défi200 - a 200 km self-supported gravel event to The Bikepacking 300 – a two day bikepacking event which includes 300 km of riding and 2318m of climbing. There’s also the Angers Guinguette, a family-friendly 31 km loop, the Gravel60, a 72km gravel loop aimed at beginner gravel riders. 

As well as all the organised rides, the organisers are creating an event village which will include “The top adventure-biking brands, new products and innovations, good beer and good wine, “Discovery” workshops, stories and inspiration, presentations and music.” As part of the festival village, there will be a Gravel and Adventure Biking show  where “you’ll find everything you need to equip yourself, take advantage of expert advice, test new products (gravel, bike and e-bike test areas) and load up on inspirations for your next bike trip.”

Entry to the event village is free. Entry into the organised gravel riding and bikepacking events costs from €35. You can find all the details on the event website.

Hardy Gravel - 12/14th June – Chotowa, Poland

“Hardy Gravel - where ancient gods look from the sky and warriors try their hand on roads that remember the songs and battles of centuries ago.” Not many gravel events use ancient mythology as their guiding principle, but Hardy Gravel certainly do! Each of the four route options that the organisers are laying on in 2026 are inspired by a god-like figure. The website for Hardy Gravel uses a dictionary definition to help summarise their event - “Hardy in the PWN dictionary is an adjective denoting a proud or proud person, and in the Krakow dialect it is someone hard, hardy. Hardy Gravel is just like that: proud because defeating him will be a challenge, proud because there will be no compromises, tough because the fight for the podium must always be tough, and durable because you need a lot of endurance to face it.”

Participants can sign up for one of four possible options:

• Swarog - Swarożyc is a symbol of the Heavenly Power of God Swarog, supposed to preserve all the variety of forms of life in its original appearance. The route is 600 km in length and includes 3000m of climbing. The time limit is 60 hours and there are two pit stops included
• Mokosz - Goddess Mokosz is a symbol of fertility, fertility and female strength and wisdom. Her image is often associated with the earth and natural cycles of life. The route is 400 km in length and includes 2000m of climbing. The time limit is 50 hours and there are two pit stops included
• Leszy - Leszy is a guardian of the forests. This rune symbolizes the yew tree, which is a symbol of life and death, as well as perseverance and strength. The route is 250 km in length and includes 1000m of climbing. The time limit is 24hours and there is one pit stop included
• Lascivious - The Perth fleece symbolizes the earth, the element and fertility, as well as the natural order and cyclical nature. The route is 100 km in length and includes 500m of climbing. The time limit is 12hours and there is one pit stop included

Entries cost from 200PLN (~€50). Full details can be found at the event website. 

Abruzzo Trail - 19th June – Abruzzo, Italy

The Abruzzo Trail MAGS Experience, is described by event organisers as “more than an event: it is an invitation to experience Abruzzo in a deep and authentic way. An adventure that brings together bike travel, nature and human connection, perfect for those looking for something truly unique.” .” They go on to say “You will pass through ancient villages, unspoiled plateaus and colourful hills. All that you can discover, including art, history and traditions in one bikepacking trip, all on your own. You will have points of interest on GPX and paper maps, where you can stop for a rest, refreshments and to discover the wonders of Abruzzo. Suitable for both Mountain Bike and Gravel bikes, with three different routes just to enhance the user experience on the territory.”

Participants have a choice of four routes:

• Discovery – A route suitable for gravel bikes and MTBs which covers 200 km and includes 3500m of climbing. An accessible route that crosses the hills of the Teramo area between Montorio, Campli and Civitella del Tronto, finishing along the coast of Giulianova. Ideal for anyone approaching bikepacking in Abruzzo for the first time.
• Classic gravel – A route suitable for gravel bikes which covers 330 km and includes 6000m of climbing. The original route in a double version. The Gravel option follows flowing roads through Castiglione, Bisenti, Arsita and Rocca Calascio, then climbs toward Campo Imperatore and reaches L’Aquila. 
• Classic MTB – a route suitable for MTBs which covers 300 km and includes 5800m of climbing. The original route in a double version. The MTB version includes more dynamic off-road variants across dirt roads and highlands without becoming extreme.
• Explorer – A route suitable for gravel bikes and MTBs which covers 470 km and includes 7500m of climbing. The most complete route: from the Adriatic coast to the Gran Sasso, then into the Maiella and down to the Trabocchi Coast. An itinerary that crosses Abruzzo’s main national parks, bringing together sea, highlands and historic villages.

The territory

Located in central southern Italy, Abruzzo stretches from the heart of the central Apennines to the Adriatic Sea, on a predominantly mountainous and wild territory. Its morphology constitutes a paradise for continental flora and fauna; about 75 per cent of European species are located in our region. Abruzzo is one of the greenest regions of the old continent, the extent of its natural heritage is immense, just think that in this small peninsular region there are three national parks, one regional park, 38 protected areas between regional oases and state reserves. In total, 36.3% of the regional territory is under environmental protection. Abruzzo, the biker’s paradise.

Food and wine

Meat, fresh fish, fine wines and cheeses, rich first courses and desserts for every taste: Abruzzo food appeals to everyone and has the colours of the enchanting valleys at the foot of the Gran Sasso and the scent of the sea. The diversity of the Abruzzo landscape blends at the table in a unique blend of typical dishes. Abruzzese gastronomy has recently been re-evaluated as one of the richest and most original in Italy. There are many typical dishes that tradition has handed down with unique imagination and creativity.

Entries cost from €89. You can find all the details at the event website. 

London 360 - 27/28th June – London, UK

The London 360 is described by the event creator as “A full circumnavigation of London on gravel, bridleway, woodland singletrack, canal paths, field crossings and forgotten connectors. A challenge designed to be mentally harder than it looks , because you’re riding a perfect loop around one of the world’s biggest cities… yet never more than 30 minutes from warmth, trains and an easy way home. The question is simple:
Can you resist the temptation to quit — and finish the orbit?”

Distance: ~360 km
Elevation: ~4,400 m
Surface: 70% off-road (gravel, dirt, chalk, woodland, bridleway, farm track, canal)
Format: Self-supported | GPX-only navigation | Start & finish in Greenwich. Riders should expect fast gravel sectors
Slow, gritty woodland connectors
Ridgelines with huge views
Sleeper-class mud sections
Route passing tempting train stations
Sleep monsters 
London’s unseen green belt, end to end. This isn’t technical MTB terrain — it’s the accumulation of roughness, grind, and mental fatigue that makes it hard.

The 360 is a self-supported gravel ultra that traces the wild outer edges of London. It’s everything the city hides: hills, mud, abandoned tracks, eerie woods at 2am, and long quiet stretches where you forget you’re anywhere near civilisation, right until you cross a road and see the glow of the skyline again. You’ll ride through along Kentish ridgelines, over the North Downs, across the Surrey heaths, conquer the Chilterns charging through Epping Forest and the tangled tracks connecting them all.It’s a tour of everything London isn’t known for. No feed zones. No checkpoints.
No broom wagon.
Just you, your legs, your choices and a GPX file.

The event costs £80 to enter and there is a refundable £150 deposit fee payable for the GPX tracker. Full details can be found at the event website.

The Wrecker - 27-31st August – Land’s End, UK

“Ride the wild line to the capital” is the byline created by the organiser of The Wrecker. The event is described as ” a new ultra-gravel epic from the far edge of Cornwall to the heart of London. A route built from forgotten mining tracks, moorland cut-throughs, ancient byways and sweeping ridgelines. This is long-distance British gravel at its purest — raw, rewarding, relentlessly beautiful.”

A journey across Britain, off the beaten path. The Wrecker doesn’t follow the easy line. It stitches together the most characterful off-road terrain in southern Britain:


• The Lost Roads of Cornwall – mining tracks, moorland grit and coastal wildness
• Bodmin & Exmoor – windswept highlands and fast open moor
• The Quantocks – flowing ridges and silent forest climbs
• The Mendips – limestone edges, woodland rollers and big views
• The Ridgeway – 5,000 years of chalk, ruts and ancient footsteps
• London Gravel Finale – a triumphant romp along the canals and rivers into the capital, finishing at the iconic Herne Hill Velodrome.

Expect variety. Expect adversity. Expect moments you’ll never forget.

The challenge

This is a self-supported ultra. The clock doesn’t stop.
Distance: 740 km
Climbing: 10,000 m+
Checkpoints: 5 mandatory
Terrain: ~65% gravel & off-road
Support: None (commercial services only)
Tracking: Live GPS
Finish window: 4–6 days recommended Ride it fast or ride it steady. Just ride it honestly.

The event costs £90 to enter and there is a refundable £150 deposit fee payable for the GPX tracker. Full details can be found at the event website.