The Gralloch: Scotland’s Premier Gravel Festival

The Gralloch has quickly become the crown jewel of the UK gravel scene. Set in the rugged beauty of Galloway Forest Park, it offers a single lap of premium Scottish gravel, world‑class racing and a festival atmosphere that keeps riders coming back. Add in the improbably blue skies that have blessed every edition so far, and you start to understand why The Gralloch has become the UK gravel event to ride.

A Key Round of the UCI Gravel World Series

For 2026, The Gralloch is round 18 of 47 in the UCI Gravel World Series. Finish in the top 25% of your age category and you’ll qualify for the UCI Gravel World Championships in Australia. It’s a serious target for competitive riders, but The Gralloch isn’t just for the lycra‑clad fast crowd.

Organisers RedOn have built a full weekend of riding that showcases the incredible gravel around Dumfries and Galloway. Whether you’re racing, exploring or simply soaking up the atmosphere, there’s something for every type of rider.

The Gralloch Sportive: Stag and Fawn Routes

To help riders experience the terrain beyond race day, The Gralloch offers two sportive options:

The Stag – Full UCI Race Route

• 110 km
• 1,700 m climbing
• Includes Fuffock Hill and Slaughter Hill

This is the complete UCI course: a demanding loop that rewards fitness, skill and pacing. Expect long gravel drags, technical forest sections and some of the best views in Scotland.

The Fawn – A More Accessible Adventure

• 800 m elevation
• Highlights include Loch Skerrow and Loch Grannoch
• 65% gravel

The Fawn delivers the same scenery without the toughest climbs. It’s ideal for riders who want a rewarding day out without going full race‑mode.

The Gralloch Ultra: 330 km of Scottish Wilderness

If 110 km barely gets your legs warmed up, the Gralloch Ultra might be your next challenge. This 330‑kilometre epic traverses the wild heart of Scotland, reaching every corner of Galloway Forest Park and beyond.

The Ultra isn’t about racing. It’s about adventure, resilience and the pure joy of long‑distance gravel riding in one of the UK’s most spectacular landscapes.

The Gralloch Community Weekender 18–19 April 2026

New for 2026, the Community Weekender in Gatehouse of Fleet offers a relaxed, social lead‑in to race month. It’s perfect for riders who want to recce the course, meet the community or simply enjoy a weekend of great gravel.

Saturday: Guided Recce Rides

• Multiple pace groups
• No‑drop options
• Preview key sections of the UCI and Sportive routes

Sunday: Gravel Hill Climb Champs

• Short, sharp effort up Fuffock Hill
• Spot prizes and plenty of cheering
• A fun way to test the legs before May

You can join for one day or make a full weekend of it.

Still Not Entered The Gralloch?

If you’ve been tempted but haven’t committed, the Community Weekender is the perfect introduction. Riding the course a month early gives you a feel for the terrain, the gravel quality and the unique atmosphere that makes this event so special.

Whether you’re eyeing the UCI Gravel World Series race, the Gralloch Ultra, or the Sportive, there’s still time to be part of it.

The Gralloch 2026 — Scotland’s Gravel Festival

Gatehouse of Fleet, 15–17 May 2026

Three days of:

• Gravel racing
• Sportives
• The 330 km Ultra
• Live music
• Local food and craft beer
• Adventure rides
• A buzzing event village

The Gralloch has established itself as Britain’s premier gravel cycling festival. It’s a celebration of endurance, adventure and community set against the dramatic backdrop of Galloway Forest Park.

Come for the challenge. Stay for the atmosphere. Leave with memories of some of the best gravel riding in the world.

I’ve ridden every edition of the Gralloch so far, and it’s my favourite race, in the most amazing part of the world. The fact that it has been dry and sunny every time also helps! My suggestion would be to make a long weekend of it, ride the race, then spend a few more days enjoying the region; you won’t regret it!