Route Summary:

Our first stage is a gentle warm up to get you used to the warmth and riding in such unfamiliar terrain.

Depending on what time we get into the hotel, we build bikes either on arrival on in the morning on stage one so we have a later start at 10am with our mechanics on hand to help out.

The route is a mix of gravel and tarmac with no major climbs. We stop off at a Buddhist Temple on the route to receive a blessing before heading back to the beach at Chilaw.

Ride Distance: 60km   Ride Elevation: 150m   % Off Road: 50%   Difficulty: 1/5

Route Summary:

We start to ramp the ride difficulty up slowly over the first three days.

Our ride today takes us along the stunning coastline on mostly flat, quiet gravel roads. North of Chilaw is the heart of coconut country, full of coconut plantations.

As we pass through the area, our gravel tracks take us past many lagoons, lakes and salt plains. These natural gems are home to a variety of water birds, lotus flowers (the national flower of Sri Lanka) and vibrant water lilies.

Our ride finishes to the north of the Kalpitiya peninsula, home to kite surfing during the summer months and multiple water-based activities in the winter, such as scuba diving, snorkelling and dolphin watching.

Ride Distance: 86km   Ride Elevation: 184m   % Off Road: 65%   Difficulty: 1.5/5

Route Summary:

We start the day with a short coach transfer to Talawa before we begin our ride. We have amazing red gravel and dirt tracks and quiet roads, passing through small farming communities. The area is surrounded by large ancient tanks, which are reservoirs filled by the monsoons. 

Today is another steady ride on fast rolling gravel and dirt tracks. The route gently rolls upwards for most of the day, but you will hardly notice it! We pass by Dambulla at the end of our ride to get to our accommodation just south of the town.

Ride Distance: 101km   Ride Elevation: 421m   % Off Road: 60%   Difficulty: 2.5/5

Route Summary:

After a couple of earlier starts, today is a more relaxed day with a later start and a fairly gentle 3hr ride around the countryside of this region.

We ride on lots of smooth red gravel roads with a couple of climbs to give us a taste of what is to come tomorrow. We expect today to take about 3hrs and we have time to get back, shower and change before heading to Sigiriya in the late afternoon.

Ride Distance: 60km   Ride Elevation: 400m   % Off Road: 50%   Difficulty: 2.5/5

Route Summary:

Our Queen stage features two main climbs, making up the majority of today’s elevation. We start with a rolling 35km before we tackle our first climb, a 4.5km road climb with a few spicy sections. Once crested, we descend down towards Rattota then it’s straight into our main climb of the day.

The 14km, majority off road, ascent climbs up to over 1,100m high, providing you with stunning views up and out towards the majestic Knuckles Mountain range. 

We then take a largely gravel descent down towards the Victoria Reservoir (created by the Victoria Dam), south of Kandy, to our eco hotel set in stunning natural surroundings.

Ride Distance: 109km   Ride Elevation: 2,156m   % Off Road: 50%   Difficulty: 5/5

Route Summary:

You have an option today to take a rest day and go explore the tea factory and scenic rail journey.

If you want to ride, we have a great stage for you. We transfer a couple of hours to the historic town of Bandarawela and then have a 30km section in a private tea plantation before taking on the 10km climb up to Lipton Seat with a view of the entire region.

Ride Distance: 60km   Ride Elevation: 1,450m   % Off Road: 50%   Difficulty: 3.5/5

Route Summary:

Our penultimate stage starts with a 10km mixed terrain climb up and out of the tea plantations. Take your time and soak up the sights and sounds as you tackle the final climb of the trip. 

Once our climb is done, it’s mostly downhill or flat towards the coast, passing through farmlands, including paddy fields, pepper plantations and rubber plantations. We pass close to magnificent National Parks, all the way to the town of Tissamaharama, in the deep south of the country. 

Ride Distance: 124km   Ride Elevation: 1,198m   % Off Road: 50%   Difficulty: 3.5/5

Route Summary:

For our final stage, we are back to the fast rolling gravel and dirt tracks of the lowlands. Passing by rice fields and small villages, we wind our way steadily towards the coast. 

In true Glorious Gravel international style, our finishers party will be in a beautiful setting. We roll to one of the South’s most stunning stretches of coastline near the Rekawa Lagoon. Our finishers party will be beside the tranquil turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, where you can share a cold beer and celebrate in style with fellow riders.

Ride Distance: 110km   Ride Elevation: 661m   % Off Road: 50%   Difficulty: 3.5/5