The UCI Gravel World Series comes to Galloway Forest Park, 40 minutes from Serenity 22
Quick info for your visit:
- Event: The Gralloch — UCI Gravel World Series
- Location: Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway
- Distance from Serenity 22: 40 minutes drive (~28 miles)
- Race distance: 111km, 1,761m climbing
- Sportive options: The Stag (111km) and The Fawn (53km)
- Ultra: Genesis Gralloch Ultra (323km)
- 2026: 15-17 May
- Next edition: Expected to take place in mid-May 2027, aligning with the traditional UCI Gravel World Series calendar.
Dumfries and Galloway doesn’t often make international headlines. The Gralloch is changing that.
Britain’s first UCI Gravel World Series event, The Gralloch draws riders from across the globe to tackle over 110km of relentless gravel through the Galloway Forest Park – one of the most beautiful and least-known riding regions in the UK. Over 80% of the route runs through the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, an unspoilt landscape designated the UK’s first Dark Sky Park.
For guests staying at Serenity 22, it’s well within reach. Gatehouse of Fleet – the race’s start and finish – is around 40 minutes by car along the A710 and A75.
The Race
The Gralloch weekend offers something for every kind of rider. The centrepiece is the UCI Gravel World Series race – a 110km route blending forestry roads, fast-rolling gravel and technical climbs, serving as a qualifier for the Gravel World Championships. Alongside it runs the Genesis Gralloch Ultra at 323km for those who consider 110km a warm-up, and a non-competitive Sportive for riders who want the experience without the race pressure.
Sir Bradley Wiggins was at the event in 2026 for The Ventum Wiggins & Woods Shakeout – a 32.1km social spin through the Galloway Forest Park with Bradley Wiggins, Mike Woods and gravel national champion Lizzie Hermolle. Olympic medallist Jonathan Brownlee also led a shakeout ride and was a Saturday UCI start list rider.
2026 Event Schedule
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Fri 15 May | Event Village opens in Gatehouse of Fleet; Ultra Race (323km) starts |
| Sat 16 May | The Gralloch UCI Gravel World Series Race (110.8km) |
| Sun 17 May | The Gralloch Sportive — The Stag (111km) or The Fawn (53km) |
The Sportive – Ride It Yourself
Not racing but want to experience the course? Designed as a fun, non-competitive ride, the Sportive invites riders of all levels to enjoy the thrill of gravel cycling without the race-day pressure. There are two Sportive routes: The Stag at 111km and The Fawn at 53km – a more accessible but equally scenic option taking in the Solway Coast, Galloway lochs and forest tracks.
Both routes start and finish in Gatehouse of Fleet and are open to riders of all abilities.
Why Stay at Serenity 22 for the Gralloch?
Gatehouse of Fleet can book up fast for race weekend. Serenity 22 at Barend, just 40 minutes away, offers space, quiet, and recovery facilities built in.
The quiet factor: Gatehouse gets busy during the festival. Barend lets you enjoy the atmosphere by day and retreat to a loch-view lodge for a proper night’s sleep.
Self-catering freedom: A fully equipped kitchen, your own space, and no restaurant dependency the night before the start gun – just your own routine, your own timing (and the loch view while fuelling up).
Post-race recovery: Gravel racing in Galloway is brutal. Every guest at Serenity 22 gets free access to the Barend wood-fired sauna and heated indoor pool. There’s nothing quite like a sauna session followed by a quiet evening on the deck overlooking the loch.
The lodge sleeps up to 8 across three bedrooms – great for a group of riders travelling together. Check availability for a 2027 cycling break.
Can’t Make the Race? Try a DIY Gralloch
The gravel in the Galloway Forest doesn’t disappear when the race tape comes down. The Raiders Road Forest Drive and the tracks around Loch Skerrow are open for public riding year-round – and in autumn or early spring you’ll have them almost entirely to yourself.
Dalbeattie Forest, 10 mins drive/30 min cycle from Serenity 22, is home to one of the 7stanes mountain bike trail centres, with purpose-built singletrack from green to black grade. The road cycling around the Colvend coast has manageable climbs and sea views. If you’re extending your trip beyond race weekend, the riding here will keep you busy.
The sauna feels even better after a crisp November day in the hills. Check availability for a cycling break at Serenity 22.
Spectating
Not riding? The Raiders Road Forest Drive passes through the heart of the race route and is one of the best places to watch the field go through. Even if you aren’t registered, it’s worth the drive into the forest on race day.
Getting Here (and There)
From the south, take the M6 north, cross the border and follow signs for the A75. Gatehouse of Fleet is just off the A75 junction. For Serenity 22 at Barend, Sandyhills, turn off the A75 at Dumfries and take the Dalbeattie Road before following the signs for Sandyhills. Gatehouse of Fleet is just a scenic 40 minute drive west from Serenity.
No car? Dumfries has a rail station with connections from Glasgow and Carlisle. Barend is approximately 30 minutes by taxi from Dumfries.
