Date: May 23rd – 30th, 2026
Location: Agios Athanasios, Greece
Distance: ~620 km
Elevation Gain: ~15,000–16,000 m
Event Type: Unsupported Fastpacking & Mountain Bikepacking Challenge
Event Description
The Hellenic Mountain Race is a rugged and demanding self-supported mountain bikepacking challenge stretching across the dramatic terrain of central Greece. Designed for experienced riders who thrive on long distances and big climbs, this fixed-route odyssey pushes participants from the fertile foothills of Greece deep into coastal ridges, remote valleys, and the legendary slopes of Mount Olympus — home of ancient myth and some of the highest terrain in the country.
This event is a single-stage, unsupported race where the clock never stops. Participants carry everything they need, manage their own resupplies, navigate with GPS, and make decisions about pacing, rest, and strategy. There are no external support crews, and navigation spans gravel roads, forest tracks, rugged fire roads, and long ascents that collectively shape one of Europe’s most authentic mountain challenges.
Totaling roughly 620 kilometres with more than 15,000 metres of climbing, the Hellenic Mountain Race demands resilience, endurance, and careful preparation. The route climbs repeatedly into high ridgelines and remote plateaus, offering sweeping panoramas of the Greek mainland before dropping into valleys and historically rich regions where ancient roads still thread between villages and olive groves.
Beyond its physical demands, this ride is a deep exploration of Greece’s natural and cultural landscapes. The course threads through olive-terraced hillsides, riverside canyons, and limestone massifs that shift in texture and climate as the race unfolds. Riders will feel the variability of Greece’s interior — from dusty lowlands to rocky ridges to alpine-like environments near the summit regions of Mount Olympus.
Safety and self-reliance are core components of the Hellenic Mountain Race. Riders are expected to manage unexpected weather changes, high mountain passes, and long distances between resupply points. Competitors must balance aggressive pacing with smart decision-making to stay moving across the course and maintain wellbeing in rugged conditions.
The Hellenic Mountain Race is more than a competition — it’s a journey through one of Europe’s most storied landscapes, a test of physical and mental grit, and a chance to experience Greece from the seat of a bike in a way few ever do.
Hellenic Mountain Race — ride the ridgelines, climb the highlands, and take on Greece’s wild heart with grit and independence.
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