Gravel Fest Cuenca Ecuador: A Pilgrimage into the Heart of Andean Gravel

Words by James Ion - Photography provided by Bikepacking Ecuador

In the highlands of Ecuador, where breath and sky converge above the UNESCO city of Cuenca, a new kind of festival pulses onto cycling calendars—Gravel Fest Cuenca.

Here, the Andes rise like myth, and each turn of the pedal etches a story along ancient paths and through remote villages, where volcanic valleys unfurl beneath riders’ wheels, and every horizon feels limitless.

This is not a race for circuits, nor laps measured by repetition—Gravel Fest Cuenca is an odyssey. Over three demanding stages, from 6 December, the event invites endurance, community, and unfiltered adventure to weave together. Each stage is distinct, a testament to the raw spirit of the Andes: gruelling climbs, technical descents, and intimate cultural immersion. Between the dust and the thin air, every rider is called into the wild, elemental territory that defines gravel in its purest sense.

A year is a long way out to start thinking about a race, but not every race takes place in the Andes, and not every race offers three stages through amazing terrain. So it deserves a bit of forward planning. This year's edition was by all accounts a success, taking place over just one day, but covering a lot of the highlights planned for next year, it offered 150 km with over 3000m of climbing.

The Experience: Beyond the Start Line

Gravel Fest Cuenca, Ecuador, is more than competition—it is an Andean communion. Riders gather at day’s end for Andean meals, sharing tables with local families and listening to live music that echoes off the valley walls. Food is regional, the atmosphere festive, and the route itself transforms into a rolling celebration of cycling culture. Each arrival is unique, a new village or scenic overlook, a chance to connect, reflect, and revel in the journey.

Gravel Fest Cuenca Ecuador Route, Three Days, Three Andean Stories

• Cajas Highland Stage 1: 90 km and 2,000 m of climbing above 3,500 meters, threading through bitter winds and awe-inspiring vistas.

• Andean Valleys & Dirty Roads Stage 2: 120 km of mixed gravel and cobbles through farmland and rural Ecuadorian expanses—an endurance test of both body and terrain.

• Cuenca Heritage Ride Stage 3: 80 km winding toward Cuenca, ending with live music, local cuisine, and the closing ceremony that celebrates the ride and its riders.

Format: All Riders Welcome

Gravel Fest Cuenca opens its start line to amateurs and professionals alike, inviting international riders, adventurers, and endurance athletes to take part in timed stages. Categories include men, women, and teams, with both gravel and MTB bikes welcome.

The Setting: Gateway to the Southern Andes

Cuenca stands at 2,500 meters, the ancient threshold between urban charm and wilderness. Riders encounter shifting microclimates, untouched gravel tracks, cobbled paths, and cloud forest trails—all coursing through páramo ecosystems where everything is raw, real, and elevated, as gravel should be. The city’s UNESCO World Heritage status provides the perfect backdrop—a convergence of history, nature, and cycling ambition.

Organised By: Bikepacking Ecuador

Founded in 2018, Bikepacking Ecuador has grown into the country’s leading endurance cycling community, organising events like Trans Ecuador, Brevet 200, and now Gravel Fest Cuenca. This edition opens a new chapter—linking global gravel culture with Ecuador’s Andean identity.

Registration won't be until October 2026; however, if you are interested, the organisers are ready to discuss the race with you and answer any questions you might have.

For more information, visit https://www.bikepackingecuador.com/gravelfestaustro