Gran Fondo Nairo Quintana: routes and how to prepare
- Distance
- 151 km
- Climbing
- 1,989 m
- Highest point
- 2,976 m
- Categorised climbs
- 9 · up to 15 %
- Shape
- Loop
Measured on the course you ride in Cycloscape. The organiser's own figures are below.
Elevation profile
2,208–2,976 m · 9 categorised climbsThe 6 biggest of 9 categorised climbs, in the order you ride them.
The Gran Fondo Nairo Quintana is the Colombian climber's own gran fondo, held in a different region of Colombia over its editions — Boyacá, Antioquia, Santander. The 2026 edition was ridden on 11 October 2026 from Cartagena, in Bolívar, over three distances: the Gran Fondo of 186 km, the Medio Fondo of 106 km and the Retadores of 50 km. The next edition has not been announced.
Gran Fondo Nairo Quintana at a glance
- Where
- Colombia, a different region each edition
- Official website
- granfondonairoquintana.com ↗
- Next edition
- Date to be confirmed by the organiser
- Routes
- Gran Fondo: 186 km · Medio Fondo: 106 km · Retadores: 50 km
- Terrain
- Rolling to flat
- Facts checked
- 4 November 2026, against the sources below
Full preparation and course training require Event Coach Pro.
Ride the real course on your trainer. The route of Gran Fondo Nairo Quintana, 151 km, as a 3D world, with your trainer following its gradients — any day, and as part of your Event Coach plan. Part of Cycloscape Pro.
The routes
The Gran Fondo Nairo Quintana offers 3 routes.
| Route | Distance | Climbing |
|---|---|---|
| Gran Fondo (2026) | 186 km | — |
| Medio Fondo (2026) | 106 km | — |
| Retadores (2026) | 50 km | — |
What the course asks of you
The character of the day depends on the region: the 2026 edition in Bolívar was a hot, lowland course on the Caribbean side of Colombia, while the editions in Boyacá and Antioquia were mountain days at altitude, with long climbs.
For a lowland edition, train for heat and sustained speed; for a mountain edition, train long climbs at a steady effort. Event Coach uses the route you choose to set the balance.
How to prepare
The general shape of a good preparation, which Event Coach turns into a plan for your fitness, time and date:
- Train steady power: efforts of 10 to 20 minutes just below your threshold teach you the pace you can hold over the rolling roads of the Gran Fondo Nairo Quintana.
- Build the long ride towards 186 km, at a pace you could keep all day.
- Ride part of your training in a group: on rolling roads, staying in a wheel saves more energy than any other choice.
Pacing mistakes to avoid
The mistakes that cost riders the most on a day like this:
- Pushing every rise of the Gran Fondo Nairo Quintana: on rolling roads, keep the effort steady and let the speed vary.
- Following the fastest wheels in the first kilometres, when everything feels easy.
- Drinking only when thirsty: a long rolling day dehydrates you before you notice.
Prepare the Gran Fondo Nairo Quintana with Cycloscape
Tell Event Coach you are doing the Gran Fondo Nairo Quintana, your route and what you want from the day, and it builds your preparation: structured workouts held by your trainer in ERG, Race Pacing for how to spend your effort, and Performance Lab to see whether the work is landing. Full preparation and course training require Event Coach Pro.
Frequently asked
When is the Gran Fondo Nairo Quintana?
The organiser has not announced the next edition's date yet. Event Coach lets you set your own target date until it does.
How long are the routes of the Gran Fondo Nairo Quintana?
Gran Fondo: 186 km; Medio Fondo: 106 km; Retadores: 50 km. The 2026 distances as reported by El Universal (Cartagena); the host region changes between editions.
How many riders take part?
About 6,000 riders took part in the 2025 edition in Boyacá, according to the Boyacá government.
Can I ride the course of the Gran Fondo Nairo Quintana in Cycloscape?
Yes, inside Event Coach with Cycloscape Pro: once you start your preparation, the course is ridden on your trainer as part of the plan.