Gravel Birds Ultracycling is an unsupported bikepacking challenge in the land without shadows - Alentejo, Portugal. A journey across one of the most remote and striking territories of Southern Europe. Three distances/routes available. The 5th edition starts and finishes in Castro Verde. Welcome dinner and event briefing on the evening of 8 May'26.

Choose your line: L’Abetarda, Gravel Birds Classic or Gravel Birds XL 1000.

09-15 May 2026 | Alentejo, Portugal

applications OPEN

[ APPLICATIONS OPEN UNTIL 30 SEPTEMBER ]

THE ROUTE(S)

From the gravel paradise and rolling plains of Baixo Alentejo, through the UNESCO city of Évora and the medieval charm of Monsaraz, past the striking mining ruins of Minas de São Domingos, across the rugged climbs of Serra do Caldeirão on the Algarve border, and along the dramatic Atlantic cliffs of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast — the Gravel Birds journey is as diverse as it is demanding.

Three routes await: L’Abetarda, the Gravel Birds Classic and Gravel Birds XL.

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GUIDELINES

'The hardest line to cross is the starting line'. This page is your compass if you’re planning to join us on May 2026. Gravel Birds is for riders seeking true adventure — resilient, self-reliant cyclists ready to take on one of the most challenging routes in Southern Europe. Here you’ll find the concept behind Gravel Birds, our values and principles and details of the application and registration process.

See you at the starting line, in the land without shadows - Alentejo.

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WHAT IS GRAVEL BIRDS ULTRACYCLING?

Gravel Birds Ultracycling is both a personal bikepacking challenge and a colective cycling adventure. It’s an opportunity to test your limits while others are out there doing the same.

It is not a race. It is not a competition. Gravel Birds follows a strictly self-supported approach — and drafting is not allowed.

ROUTES PROFILE AND TIME LIMIT

Riders can choose between three routes: the shorter L’Abetarda, the demanding Gravel Birds Classic, or the brand-new 1000 km loop: Gravel Birds XL. All routes start/finish in Castro Verde.

L’Abetarda has around 350 km, 5,000 m of climbing and it is 65% off-road.

Gravel Birds Classic has around 750 km, 11,000 m of climbing and it is 75% off-road.

Gravel Birds XL has around 1,000 km, 15,000 m of climbing and it is 70% off-road.

Whichever you choose, riders have seven days to complete their journey.

HOW TO ARRIVE IN CASTRO VERDE?

The nearest airports are Faro and Lisbon.

The closest train station is Funcheira, located 30 km from Castro Verde. Travel time: about 1h30 from Faro train station and 2h from Lisboa-Oriente train station. Bikes can be transported on InterCity trains (no need of disassembling your bike in this service).

There are also direct buses to Castro Verde, but this option requires partially disassembling your bike and carrying it inside a protective bag. In Castro Verde you’ll be able to store your belongings with us.

For those arriving in Faro, the town is roughly 100 km away by bike — the perfect warm-up ride before the adventure.

WHAT DOES 'SELF SUPPORTED' MEAN?

Self-supported ultracycling seeks the pure essence of cycling through the spirit of adventure, independence, autonomy, and equality among all participants. It’s about your own experience and pushing your personal limits.

This means no outside assistance with resupplying, accommodation, transportation, or mechanical support. Riders can only rely on commercial services that are equally available to the general public and to all participants in the event.

WHAT DOES 'NO DRAFTING' MEAN?

Drafting is strictly forbidden. This means you cannot ride in the slipstream of other participants, other cyclists, or vehicles to gain aerodynamic advantage. Every rider must face the elements on their own, with the same exposure to wind and terrain.

Gravel Birds is about individual effort and fair conditions for everyone — your journey should be powered only by your own strength.

MANDATORY ITEMS

All riders must carry the following mandatory equipment throughout the event:

- Helmet

- Reflective vest (to be worn at night and in poor visibility conditions)

- Front and rear lights, plus a backup set

- Emergency blanket

The organization provides personal accident insurance, covering medical expenses, repatriation, disability, and death.

Attendance at the event briefing on the evening of May 8th is also mandatory.

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