UCI Gravel World Championships 2025 route includes pass of Wijnandsrade Castle, Bronsdalweg climb and finish on gravel path

The Zuid-Limburg region of the Netherlands will welcome the fourth edition of the 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships, October 11-12. The first day will spotlight the elite women for 131 kilometres and 1,190 metres of elevation gain for the rainbow jersey. The second day will see the elite men compete across 180km and take 1,650 metres of climbing.

A 50-kilometre circuit will be followed in a counter-clockwise direction for both elite races, as well as 13 other age category divisional contests. Circuits are hilly, each pass with more than 500 metres of elevation gain, and an extra punch on the finish stretch across the Bronsdalweg climb.

The start for all races will be held at Sportlandgoed De Haamen in Beek, with the finish on Koningsplein using a packed gravel path into Maastricht known as De Groene Loper (Green Carpet).

The elite women will ride two-and-a-half circuits and the elite men making three-and-a-half circuits. The first lap is a little different and features a 5km wide, paved road with a climb of the Adsteeg (700 metres at 5% average gradient) to spread out the peloton before hitting the first gravel section. The next circuits bypass the Adsteeg and use a rural, unpaved road for about 15km to reconnect to the original loop near Kruis.

The course passes iconic landmarks of the region, including Wijnandsrade Castle, the Vaeshartelt country estate and the Sint Hubertusmolen windmill in Beek. After passing through Beek and Beekdaelen multiple times, the final half lap drops riders south after a final pass through Vroenhof and they will then follow an 11km stretch into Maastricht.

It is on this section where riders face the most challenging climb, the Bronsdalweg, which is largely gravel and averages 8% gradient for one kilometre. The climb leads to Berg en Terblijt where just 14km remain to the finish.

Like the previous Worlds competitions held in Italy and Belgium, the terrain will be varied using paved surfaces for transitions, dirt roads, local paths and rolling hills as well as a water crossing.

"For me, gravel is the ultimate form of freedom on the bike. With this route, we want to combine that freedom with a sporting challenge and a strong connection to the landscape," said route co-designer Bram Tankink.

"The undeveloped gravel sections of the municipalities of Beek and Beekdaelen, supplemented by De Groene Loper in Maastricht, are a unique playground for this: the terrain is varied, the surroundings breathe cycling history, and each section tells its own story. We've designed a course that not only gets the best out of the riders but also takes them along the most beautiful, rawest, and most characterful gravel sections in the region."

Three Fan Zones

Event organisers have designated three official Fan Zones. De Haamen Sports Park is the site of the official start, where the Shimano United In Gravel Expo will be located, and offers spectators up to three passages of the elite fields.

A second viewing location recommended will be in front of Wijnandsrade Castle, where riders will also pass through through the castle courtyard multiple times.

The final zone is at Koningsplein on De Groene Loper, the public square in east Maastricht. Much like the festive setup at the start area, the finish line area will offer live race coverage, food, beverages, and live music, with the bonus being the awards ceremony.

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