The Ayrshire Alps Challenge

"The hill roads of South Carrick make up the ultimate road cyclist’s playground. Popularly referred to as ‘the Ayrshire Alps’, the landscape offers fantastic scenery, cycle friendly roads, and a tough cycling challenge"

The Ayrshire Alps Challenge An exciting new sportive launched with great success in 2022, with a choice of the long 80 mile route with 2170m climb, a medium 62 mile route (full details to follow, route can be found here) or the shorter 48 mile course with 1300m climb. Stiff climbs and sweeping descents over spectacular hills, including the iconic Nic o’Balloch, are guaranteed as are the really quiet roads.

After a successful trial run last year, we are delighted to offer a fourth route. This is a 65 mile gravel route with 5,200 feet of climbing and guaranteed 40% off road, with much of the rest virtually traffic free. Most of the gravel section is on good forest paths with just a few softer sections. The views are outstanding and wilderness feel is definitely a plus.

"Ayr Rotary is helping to organise this event. Expect friendly volunteers and marshals, home baking and a great atmosphere."

Bob Cherry, Rotary Club of Ayr

View Results

View this year's results from the Ayrshire Alps Challenge!

View Results

The Routes

Explore 48 mile route

Download route file:
GPX Format / TCX Format

Our newest charity Sportif is organised by the Rotary Club of Ayr working in partnership with Malawi Fruits. We are offering a memorable and enjoyable cycling challenge in some of Scotland's best scenery while raising funds to support local Ayrshire charities and the international charity Malawi Fruits.

The Ayrshire Alps 48 is a more modest 48 mile cycling challenge for those who would not be able to complete the longer routes in eight hours or less.

The route takes in some of South Ayrshire's best scenery and there are loads of great climbs - the clue is in the name, this is the Ayrshire Alps for sure! Whatever route you choose, you will be sustained by great sandwiches and home baking provided by our team at the feed stations as well as bananas and health bars for that added sustenance.

Explore 62 mile route

Download route file:
GPX Format / TCX Format

The Ayrshire Alps 62 is an intermediate cycling challenge taking in some of South Ayrshire's best scenery. There are loads of great climbs - the clue is in the name, this is the Ayrshire Alps for sure! Whatever route you choose, you will be sustained by great sandwiches and home baking provided by our team at the feed stations, as well as bananas and health bars for that added sustenance.

Explore 80 mile route

Download route file:
GPX Format / TCX Format

The Ayrshire Alps 80 is a challenging 80 mile route. It takes in some of South Ayrshire's best scenery and there are loads of great climbs - the clue is in the name, this is the Ayrshire Alps for sure! Whatever route you choose you will be sustained by great sandwiches and home baking provided by our team at the feed stations as well as bananas and health bars for that added sustenance.

Explore gravel route

Download route file:
GPX Format / TCX Format

The Ayrshire Alps Gravel Route is new for 2025. Whatever route you choose, you will be sustained by great sandwiches and home baking provided by our team at the feed stations, as well as bananas and health bars for that added sustenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does each event cost?

How will my registration fee be used?

Do I need to fundraise to take part?

Is there parking available for the event?

Is the event timed?

With the prevalence of Garmins, Strava etc, and following feedback from riders, we have decided that electronic timing is no longer necessary and that a manual system will provide what is needed.

This means that you simply pick up your bike number on the day (no chips) and we will record start and finish times from there. A leader board for each route and sorted by gender will be on display throughout the event and afterwards.

What time does the event start?

Are there feed stations on the route?

Yes, there are hot and cold drinks and food at the end of the event and the following food stations:

Tayside Challenge 46 mile route
Feed station at 21 miles (with toilets)

Tayside Challenge 81 mile route
Feed station at 28 miles; feed station at 57 miles (with toilets)

Cairn o’ Mount 30 mile route
Feed station at 15 miles

Cairn o’ Mount 81 mile route
Feed station at 25 miles; Feed station at 51 miles

Highland Perthshire Challenge 50 mile route
Feed station at 28 miles

Highland Perthshire Challenge 100 route
Feed station at 37 miles (with toilets); Feed station at 52 miles (with toilets); Feed station at 75 miles

Ayrshire Alps Challenge 48 mile route
Feed station with toilets at 13 miles and 32 miles

Ayrshire Alps Challenge 62 mile route
Feed stations with toilets at 13 miles and 46 miles

Ayrshire Alps Challenge 80 route
Feed station with toilets at 13 miles, 46 miles, and 65 miles

Entry Terms & Conditions

Event specific terms

Entries are limited to 400 for the Ayrshire Alps Challenge and the entry fee is £40 per person. Please sign up quickly to ensure your spaces.

Registration Please register using the Online Registration Form at Entry Central. Click “Sign-up for Ayrshire Alps Sportif” to start the Registration process.

Payment Payments can be made either by Credit/Debit Card or by Cheque. Kindly follow the on-screen instructions to complete your payment. On successful Registration and Payment, you will receive a Registration Confirmation email.

Our events have helped raise in excess of £80,000 to support the vital work of Malawi Fruits - a sustainable community enterprise based in the north of Malawi.

Cycle Today, Change Tomorrow

Get in touch

If you want to find out more about any of the events or the work of Malawi Fruits, please get in touch with the team.

Saturday 13th June
2026

Sunday 9th August
2026

Saturday 5th September
2026

Saturday 6th June
2026

"The hill roads of South Carrick make up the ultimate road cyclist’s playground. Popularly referred to as ‘the Ayrshire Alps’, the landscape offers fantastic scenery, cycle friendly roads, and a tough cycling challenge"