Gravel stage races have grown in popularity around the world as they intersect racing, endurance, and a deep exploration of beautiful destinations. Check out some of these incredible gravel stage races all over the world and maybe even start dreaming about adding one of them to you travel and training plans.
Gravel stage races combine the endurance of long-distance gravel biking with the strategy and resilience required to tackle multiple days of racing. These events typically span two to seven stages, each with its own unique challenges, from grueling climbs to unpredictable terrain. Unlike single-day gravel races, stage races emphasize not just speed but consistency and recovery over the course of the event.
Here we share some stage races that traverse stunning and remote landscapes, offering riders a chance to immerse themselves in regions they might not otherwise explore. From the semi-arid expanses of the Karoo in South Africa to the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest, each event showcases the natural beauty of its location while pushing participants to their physical and mental limits. Riders must prepare not only for the demanding courses but also for the logistics of camping, meal planning, and maintaining their bikes between stages.
What sets gravel stage races apart is the camaraderie they foster. Riders bond over shared challenges, whether it's navigating remote backcountry trails, enduring inclement weather, or celebrating a hard-earned finish. These events attract everyone from elite racers chasing podiums to amateur adventurers seeking to test their limits, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere that defines the gravel cycling community.
Rebecca's Private Idaho - 3 Stage
Location: Sun Valley, Idaho
Average Cost: $519 - no meals or lodging
Experience the smashing climbs, stunning views, and hometown hospitality of Rebecca’s Private Idaho in the best way possible: up and down 186 miles of epic riding. In three timed stages over the course of four days, you’ll fall in love with the raw and varied terrain. Rebecca's Private Idaho.
Oregon Timber Trail Gravel Grinder - 5 Stages
Location: Bend, Oregon
Average Cost: $1,400 - Includes meals & tent
Oregon Trail is one of the most complex and challenging gravel events in North America to produce, covering 350 miles of Oregon’s scenic and wild backcountry gravel roads. It is their mission to make the logistics for each and every rider easy so that they can focus on nothing more than pedaling some of the most amazing gravel roads in North America for 5 days straight! Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder.
Migration Gravel Race
Location: Maasai Mara, Kenya
Average Cost: $1,785 - includes food & tent
The Migration Gravel Race (MGR) is hailed as the hardest and wildest gravel race in the world, offering a high-tempo, adventure that pushes riders to their physical and mental limits across four stages. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the untamed Maasai Mara, participants traverse rugged gravel roads, cattle tracks, and wildlife trails, demanding both endurance and grit.
The MGR offers two routes: the Leopard, a full-length, high-tempo race, and the Zebra, a shorter, more accessible option. While the Zebra cuts some corners, it still delivers the iconic and breathtaking sections that define the race, ensuring every rider experiences the raw beauty and difficulty of the Maasai Mara. Migration Gravel Race.
Gravel Burn - 7 Stages
Location: South Africa
Average Cost: $3,290 - Includes meals and tent
Gravel Burn is a 7-day, 850km full-service gravel stage race through South Africa’s diverse landscapes. Starting in coastal forests, the route heads into the breathtaking Great Karoo – a famously vast, semi-desert region. Riders rest each night in remote camps under star-filled skies and, on the final day, greeted by Africa’s iconic Big 5 wildlife. Gravel Burn.
The Ride Gravel - 5 Stages
Location: Germany, Luxembourg, Netherland, & Belgium
Average Cost: $1,130 - Includes meals and tent
The Ride Gravel is a fully supported gravel adventure with five epic stages on the most beautiful paved and unpaved roads in Europe. Ride a standard stage (100 km) or XL stage (up to 125 km), both at least 60% off road. Perfect from intermediate to expert level! The Ride Gravel.
Sahara Gravel Stage Race - 4 Stages
Location: Morocco
Average Cost: $1,040 - includes food & lodging
Breathtaking valleys, high mountains & the mighty Sahara desert! Being in the Sahara Desert is an experience like no other, but reaching it by bike elevates the journey to unforgettable heights. Spanning a total distance of 445 kilometers over four stages, with an elevation gain of over 4500 meters, the route takes you through a variety of terrains, with 90% of the journey on gravel roads or easy single trails. Sahara Gravel Stage Race.
The Fox - 2 Stages
Location: Finland, MN
Average Cost: $175 - no meals or lodging
The Fox is a two day stage race that features 60+ mile days through the heart of the North Shore wilds in Northern Minnesota. The Fox starts in Finland, MN, on Saturday. Riders will travel to Grand Marais for their overnight camping experience. On Sunday, riders will travel a different route back to Finland for the finish. The Fox.
