Ultra running | Self-supported | Spain

Badlands — self-supported ultra-distance in Andalusia

800 km through Europe's only desert. Fully self-supported — what you do not carry does not exist.

800 kmTotal distance
16,000 mTotal climbing
6 daysStages by bike
133 kmAverage per day

Badlands made the ultra format popular in Spain — no support, no feed stations, clock always running. Race it, or ride it independently in six or seven days.

The problem is not the climbing, it is water and heat. There are 60 km stretches without a single fountain and midday hours you simply sit out in the shade.

So you plan it backwards — water points and shops first, then daily distance, then where you sleep.

Stage simulator

How many km and how many days?

The full route is 800 km and about 6 days. Enter any km and days: if you are not doing it in one go, split it into several trips.

6 days, 800 km and 15999 m of climbing: about 133.3 km a day and 5 nights on the way.

  1. Granada → Guadix120 km · 2600 m D+Sleep: Guadix · Eat: La Peza
  2. Guadix → Gorafe y Los Coloraos140.1 km · 2799 m D+Sleep: Gorafe y Los Coloraos · Eat: Gorafe — last shop before the desert
  3. Baza → Sierra de los Filabres150 km · 3501 m D+Sleep: Sierra de los Filabres · Eat: Springs in Bacares
  4. Filabres → Tabernas130 km · 2400 m D+Sleep: Tabernas · Eat: Tabernas
  5. Tabernas → Cabo de Gata129.9 km · 2199 m D+Sleep: Cabo de Gata · Eat: Níjar
  6. Cabo de Gata → Capileira130 km · 2500 m D+Sleep: Capileira · Eat: Órgiva

Create your account and keep going with these 6 days.

It is free and takes a minute.

  • Save the plan and pick up where you left off
  • Carry it on your phone, map and times included
  • Send it to your group with one link
  • Download the itinerary and the calendar
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Stages and sections

Approximate distances and climbing. Every guidebook and GPX varies by a few kilometres.

SectionKmD+DaysSleepEat
Granada - Guadix120 km2,600 m1Guadix or bivvy on the plateauLa Peza, Guadix (24 h petrol station)
Guadix - Gorafe y Los Coloraos140 km2,800 m1Gorafe, BazaGorafe — last shop before the desert
Baza - Sierra de los Filabres150 km3,500 m1Bacares, SerónSprings in Bacares; carry 4 litres
Filabres - Tabernas130 km2,400 m1TabernasTabernas, 24 h on the N-340a
Tabernas - Cabo de Gata130 km2,200 m1San José, Las NegrasNíjar, San José
Cabo de Gata - Capileira130 km2,500 m1CapileiraÓrgiva, Pampaneira
Stops along the route7

Four facts per village — what is worth a stop, where to sleep, where to eat and the practical warning.

GranadaSee — Alhambra, Albaicín and Sacromonte
Sleep — Guadix or bivvy on the plateau
Eat — La Peza, Guadix (24 h petrol station)
Good to know — Book the Alhambra weeks ahead
See on the map
Guadix · km 120See — Cave quarter and cathedral
Sleep — Gorafe, Baza
Eat — Gorafe — last shop before the desert
Good to know — Very hot at midday in summer
See on the map
Baza · km 260See — Arab baths and the alcazaba
Sleep — Bacares, Serón
Eat — Springs in Bacares; carry 4 litres
Good to know — Last services before the high plateau
See on the map
Filabres · km 410See — Calar Alto observatory
Sleep — Tabernas
Eat — Tabernas, 24 h on the N-340a
Good to know — Villages without shops — carry food
See on the map
Tabernas · km 540See — Desert and spaghetti western sets
Sleep — San José, Las Negras
Eat — Níjar, San José
Good to know — No shade — carry extra water
See on the map
Cabo de Gata · km 670See — Wild coves and flamingo salt pans
Sleep — Capileira
Eat — Órgiva, Pampaneira
Good to know — Cove access restricted in August
See on the map
Capileira · km 800See — Alpujarra balcony and covered lanes
Sleep — Capileira
Eat — Órgiva, Pampaneira
Good to know — Narrow winding mountain road
See on the map

Daily distance by level

Independent7 days, 115 km a day, sleeping in guesthouses.
Ultralight5 days, 160 km a day with bivvy.
RacingFront of the race under 4 days.
Half BadlandsGranada to Tabernas, 400 km in 3 days.

Travel and paperwork

Getting thereTrain or coach to Granada; bikes travel boxed on coaches.
Getting backBus from Capileira to Granada, limited seats.
TimingStart at 5:00 and stop from 14:00 to 17:00 in August.
SafetyBeacon or live location shared with someone off route.

Season — Late August and September. In July the Tabernas desert goes past 40 °C at midday.

Entries

Badlands is a race with limited places — entries open, you apply and the organisers confirm. Keep the confirmation, race number and rules inside the plan.

Organiser — Badlands (organización oficial)

Go to official entries

Kit and packing list

Copy this list into the plan as cards and a checklist, and split shared kit across the group.

BikeGravel with 45 mm tyres minimum, tubeless with fresh sealant.
WaterTwo bottles plus a 3-litre bladder — 5 litres minimum capacity.
BivvyLight bag, thin mat and bivvy bag — no tent needed.
LightsHead torch plus bar light with 8 hours of battery.
MechanicsTyre plugs, two tubes, chain tool and spare spokes.

Food, water and self-sufficiency

Water pointsMark fountains and cemeteries on the track before you go.
ShopsMany villages close at 14:00 and do not reopen.
SaltElectrolytes — you sweat far more than you drink.

Indicative budget

Food€25-35 a day buying in shops.
Sleeping€0 bivvying or €40-60 in a guesthouse.
Travel€80-150 return from Madrid or the east coast.
Independent total€350-600 per person.

Reference prices to work out what the route costs before you go.

Paperwork, insurance and permits

InsuranceAccident cover with rescue — many tracks have no signal.
Bivvy rulesCamping is banned inside Cabo de Gata park; bivvy discreetly, no fires.
ContactsKeep emergency numbers and an off-route contact in the plan.

Keep it in your calendar

Once you build this route as a plan, every stage is a card with time, duration and place. From the plan link anyone can download the calendar (.ics) or add it to Google Calendar and Outlook, with reminders before each day and before payment or confirmation deadlines.

What to lock before you leave

Frequently asked questions

How long is Badlands — self-supported ultra-distance in Andalusia?800 km in total, with around 16,000 m of climbing.
How many days does it take?6 days by bike (133 km average per stage).
Where do people usually sleep?The usual overnight points are Guadix or bivvy on the plateau, Gorafe, Baza, Bacares, Serón, Tabernas. The stage table lists them section by section.
How many kilometres a day should I plan?Independent: 7 days, 115 km a day, sleeping in guesthouses. Ultralight: 5 days, 160 km a day with bivvy. Racing: Front of the race under 4 days. Half Badlands: Granada to Tabernas, 400 km in 3 days.
When is the best time to go?Late August and September. In July the Tabernas desert goes past 40 °C at midday.
Is there a registration?Yes: it is organised by Badlands (organización oficial) and registration is at https://badlands.cc/.

In Keago this route becomes a plan — one card per stage with time and duration, the daily track, each night's accommodation with link and location, the meals, and both travel tickets where the whole group can see them. Everyone confirms and you know who is missing.

Create your account and keep building your Badlands — self-supported ultra-distance in Andalusia plan.

It is free and takes a minute.

  • Save the plan and pick up where you left off
  • Carry it on your phone, map and times included
  • Send it to your group with one link
  • Download the itinerary and the calendar
Create my accountI already have an account