- For those inspired by the Tour de France, AlUla invites enthusiasts to discover the roads, landscapes and experiences that are making AlUla one of the world’s most exciting emerging cycling destinations.
AlUla, Saudi Arabia – July 2026: Until the 26th of July 2026, the world’s attention turns to the 113th edition of the Tour de France as 23 professional teams, including Team Jayco AlUla, tackle 21 gruelling stages from Barcelona to Paris. Broadcast to around 190 countries and watched by hundreds of millions of fans, cycling’s most prestigious race has long inspired riders to seek out their next great adventure. This year, the AlUla invites riders to look beyond the finish line and discover one of the sport’s emerging destinations.
For cycling enthusiasts across the GCC and wider Middle East, AlUla has become an increasingly attractive destination for cycling, combining dramatic desert landscapes, purpose-built cycling infrastructure and rich heritage, easy regional access and the routes of Saudi Arabia’s premier professional stage race.
Choose your own adventure:
With guided or unguided 68km of dedicated cycling trails and routes, AlUla caters to everyone from seasoned road cyclists to families exploring by bike for the first time. The network forms part of AlUla’s wider 360 Mobility vision, designed to encourage active and sustainable exploration of the destination by bike
Ride past the monumental tombs of Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, where ancient Nabataean history unfolds against dramatic sandstone cliffs. Take on the climb to Harrat Uwayrid, where sweeping views across the valley reward every ascent, or enjoy the tranquil Oasis Trail, a shaded route beneath thousands of date palms leading towards AlUla Old Town.
Whether you are looking for a leisurely one-hour ride, a half-day adventure or a full-day endurance challenge, AlUla’s varied terrain offers routes to match every ambition and ability.
Everything you need to get started:
Travelling without your own bike? High-quality road bikes, gravel bikes and e-bikes are available to hire locally, making it easy to explore without bringing your own equipment.
The Wheels Bike Hub, AlUla’s dedicated cycling hub organises community rides and group sessions providing visitors with an opportunity to connect with fellow cyclists while exploring the destination alongside experienced local riders.
Visitors can ride independently or join guided experiences led by local experts, who offer insight into AlUla’s landscapes, history and hidden viewpoints. Throughout the year, organised group rides and local cycling clubs also provide opportunities to connect with fellow riders and experience the destination as part of its growing cycling community.
Ride where the professionals race:
The AlUla Tour has become a landmark event on the international cycling calendar, uniting the world’s top athletes for an epic multi-stage race. Journeying past dramatic desert backdrops and iconic landmarks like Maraya and the Oasis, riders and spectators alike experience world-class competition set against a timeless, breathtaking canvas.
Visitors can follow sections of the same routes used during the AlUla Tour, riding the roads that challenge the professionals while setting their own pace. Whether you are chasing a personal best or simply stopping to admire the scenery, every kilometre offers a chance to experience AlUla from a cyclist’s perspective.
Where every ride finds its reward:
In AlUla, the day’s adventure naturally gives way to relaxation. After hours spent exploring desert roads and ancient landscapes, visitors can unwind at luxury retreats such as Our Habitas AlUla or Banyan Tree AlUla, where restorative spa treatments, exceptional dining and peaceful desert surroundings provide the perfect end to a day in the saddle.
As cycling tourism continues to evolve, enthusiasts are increasingly seeking destinations that offer more than challenging climbs – they are looking for memorable landscapes, authentic experiences and roads that tell a story. The Tour de France may inspire the dream, but AlUla offers the opportunity to live it. Plan your visit between November and March and discover why the destination is emerging as one of the Middle East’s leading cycling destinations.
