The Gralloch, one of Britain's leading gravel cycling events, has unveiled a major new addition for 2026: The Gralloch Ultra.

Set to take place on Saturday, 16 May 2026, The Gralloch Ultra is a 330km ultra-distance gravel adventure through the wild heart of the Galloway Forest Park and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere.

With over 5,000 metres of climbing, the route will take riders from the forests of Galloway to the ridgelines of the Ayrshire Alps and back — a journey through some of Scotland's most spectacular landscapes.

The Gralloch Ultra joins The Gralloch race (a qualifier in the UCI Gravel World Series) on Saturday 16 May and The Gralloch sportive on 17 May in what will be one of Europe's biggest gravel cycling weekends.

"The Gralloch Ultra represents the next evolution of The Gralloch," said Malcolm Smith, Co-Founder of Red On Sports. 

"It's not about racing — it's about endurance, mindset and the willingness to keep going when the terrain, the distance and the night all test you. It's a pure expression of what gravel riding can be."

While the event is semi-supported, riders will still be backed by Red On Sports' proven event infrastructure and safety systems. Along the route, there will be Feed Zones stocked with nutrition and hydration, on-course emergency and medical assistance, and Event Control oversight throughout.

Riders must complete the challenge under their own power, but with the reassurance of a professionally managed environment. This balance makes the Ultra both accessible to first-time ultra-distance riders and demanding enough to satisfy the most seasoned endurance cyclists.

Starting and finishing in the town of Gatehouse of Fleet, the Ultra will be the centrepiece of a weekend-long celebration of gravel cycling that also includes the UCI Gravel World Series race and the Gralloch Sportive. The event's growing reputation for world-class riding and a community festival continues to draw riders, families and fans from around the globe.

"The Ultra is a natural extension of what The Gralloch stands for," said Maximilian Wussler, Co-Founder of Red On Sports. "It's a chance for riders to push their limits, ride self-supported, and experience Galloway in its rawest, most beautiful form." 

Early-bird entries for The Gralloch Ultra are now open, with limited places available. The full route will be unveiled in due course.

The Gralloch 2026 takes place from 15-17 May 2026 in Gatehouse of Fleet, Galloway, Scotland.

Find out more and enter at the event website: www.grallochgravel.com/ultra.

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