Challenging, Very Challenging
Difficulty level
Cycling
Activity (Bike)

Spain: Granada to Malaga: Andalucia Bike Tour

Six nights; six days of cycling on hilly paved roads with very little traffic.


“The biking was every bit as spectacular as you had suggested, the weather was kind, the guides were terrific, and we are committed customers for life. Thanks again.” - August C.



WHY THIS TRIP?

  • Fantastically quiet and stupendously beautiful rides through landscapes like no other.
  • Sierra de las Nieves, UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Antequera - one of Andalucia's architectural showpieces.

 

ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:

Click here to learn about our difficulty rating system.

Challenging terrain on quiet country roads. The route has been designed to avoid the steepest mountain climbs, but you must be prepared for challenging ascents and fun descents on a constantly hilly ride through the Sierra Nevada foothills for the Andalucia Bike Tour.


Daily Distance:

  • 1: Meet in Malaga at noon, or Granada for dinner.
  • 2: Granada to Periana ~76km.
  • 3: Periana to Antequera ~78km.
  • 4: Antequera to Ronda ~83km.
  • 5: Hiking near Ronda up to ~17km.
  • 6: Ronda to Arcos de la Frontera ~98km.
  • 7: ~91km – Farewells.

(Click image to enlarge)

 
Not sure about difficulties, and support level? Check out our What to Expect page!
 

Start: Granada, 18:00, day one. Complimentary transfers from Malaga leave Malaga airport 11:30 or Parador Malaga Gibralfaro at noon.

Finish: Malaga airport or Hotel Parador Malaga Gibralfaro, Malaga, 18:00, day seven. Transfers to Granada can be arranged.

Meal inclusions: Listed for guided trips only, please see dates & pricing section for accurate inclusions per support level.


Please contact us to arrange alternate meeting and departure plans, if necessary.


1

DAY 1:

Meet in Malaga at noon, or Granada for dinner.

Meet in Malaga for a transfer to Granada at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in time for an independent afternoon at the Alhambra, and dinner. The Alhambra is sometimes called the most sensual architecture on earth, inspired by battle victory and incorporating water as a central theme. If you have time or arrive early, you can also take a walk through the silk markets or the Moorish neighbourhood of Albayzin.

Meal Inclusions: Dinner.

Alhambra Palace Hotel, or Hotel El Ladron de Agua (self-guided trips), Granada.
2

DAY 2:

Granada to Periana ~76km.

Ride from just outside Granada on a quiet, level road with bike lanes. After warming up, the hilliness begins, taking you into towns like Alhama de Granada, where you can visit or bathe in a cistern used to collect healing water for centuries. Alhama was built in the Caliphate style on a Roman foundation. Your lodging provides an exceptional perspective.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Hotel La Viñuela, Viñuela.
3

DAY 3:

Periana to Antequera ~78km.

A rolling ride through quintessential Andalucian landscapes, today gives you ample opportunity to enjoy the route at your own pace, perhaps taking a side trip the market town of Archidona, famous for its octagonal town plaza. Tonight is spent near medieval Antequera - one of Andalucia's architectural showpieces. An optional guided walking tour of the town will give you the chance to visit the myriad gothic, baroque and renaissance monasteries and churches.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Parador de Antequera, or Hotel El Fuente del Sol, Antequera.
4

DAY 4:

Antequera to Ronda ~83km.

Leaving Antequera, the scenery changes dramatically. Follow a remote road below towering, vulture and eagle-guarded peaks of the Sierra de Torcal, on the way to Ardales Natural Park. Enormous lakeland vistas, pine forests and exotic birdlife provide a charming background for your lakeshore picnic lunch and swim. Continue through remote countryside. Stop for a picnic lunch at a viewpoint overlooking the Sierra de las Nieves, whose peaks are often dusted with snow through much of the winter. This is a UNESCO protected biosphere reserve. Afternoon ride through Serranía de Ronda, known as a barrier resisting both the Moors and the Christians in their time. From Puerto del Viento, ride downhill all the way to the panoramic town of Ronda, famous for its September bullfights, bandits and smugglers, and a highlight of this trip. Its views are spectacular, and it is well worth spending the evening exploring the backstreets and gazing at the bridge spanning the famous gorge. BLD

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Parador Ronda, or Hotel Alavera de los Baños, Ronda.
5

DAY 5:

Hiking near Ronda up to ~17km.

Short transfer to start hiking into the Biosphere Reserve of the Sierra de las Nieves on a long-distance footpath. Shorter alternatives are available for independent exploration from Ronda.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.

Same lodging.
6

DAY 6:

Ronda to Arcos de la Frontera ~98km.

Today’s ride takes you into what is considered one of Spain's finest wilderness areas, the Sierra de Grazalerna Nature reserve. Classified with a high conservation rating, the wealth of plantlife and woodland is surprising! Overhead are golden eagles, vultures and buzzards, and deer bound across the roads. There are vast tracts of cork oak forests, through which the slow, steady descents are sheer joy. The approach to Arcos de la Frontera - the gateway between the sierras and the plains is a fantastic sight, perched overlooking your approach. You can ride up into narrow twisting streets along the Moorish-inspired architecture, to finish with a refreshment on your terrace with splendid views over the Guadalquivir Plains.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Parador Arcos de la Frontera, Arcos de la Frontera.
7

DAY 7:

~91km – Farewells.

Today's ride takes you across the watershed of the Grazalema Sierras and through the northern edge of the Alcornocales Nature Reserve, one of Europe‘s largest forests. Follow a twisting road by lakes, through valleys of eucalyptus and palms, and over cork oak forested hills. Finish the ride in Las Algamitas, where we will meet you for transfer to Hertz rental in Las Algamitas.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.

All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.


SELECT A DATE BELOW TO RESERVE, OR START A NEW DATE

2024 / 2025 DATES:

Please contact us for your preferred date

Interested in custom or private departures?


PRICING

Guided: C 4995 (per person, double occupancy)

Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches, 5 dinners, luggage handling, guide and van support, maps and route notes, hybrid bicycle rental, taxes.

Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.


Self-Guided: C 4495 (per person, double occupancy)

Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, luggage transfers, maps and route notes, hybrid bicycle rental, taxes.

Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.


Single Occupancy: 1165


Bike Rentals:

Hybrid-Fitness: Included

Upgrade to Road: 250

Upgrade to E-bike: 250


All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.



Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.

1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.

2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly, and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided date, this usually comes at a surcharge depending on the details, please get in touch for more information. If you prefer self-guided, we usually only require two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and can sometimes reduce prices for you if you have four or more.

PLEASE NOTE: Trip Cancellation Insurance is highly recommended. If this is not provided by your credit card or elsewhere, please let us know and we can provide recommendations.

BEST TIMES

The best time to enjoy this tour is before mid-June and after mid-September.

The Granada weather involves hot, dry summers and cold, fairly dry winters. In summer it can be very hot during the day but it does tend to cool down in the evenings and you may even need a light jacket at night. There is very little rain from June to September. In winter the temperatures can fall as low as 0ºC and if there is a wind coming off the Sierra Nevada mountains it can feel colder. There can be snow occasionally but it does not last too long. If you are keen to see snow, take a trip into the Sierra Nevada Mountains where you can even ski if you want to. Many of the winter days are sunny and clear with rain seldom lasting more than a couple of days.


GET TO THE START

One of Spain’s busiest airports is a mere 8km from the heart of Malaga and airlines are the most convenient way to reach this area. The Malaga Airport has regular flights connecting to all the major European cities. From the airport there is a train-link to downtown Malaga, which runs every half-hour. The train station is accessed by an elevated walkway just outside the Terminal 2 departures area. There is also a handy bus service from the airport to Malaga leaving T1 and T2 every half-hour and taxis are always available outside the arrivals hall.

If you prefer to travel by rail in Spain there are regular services feeding Granada from Madrid but the route is not on a high speed line. The Granada train station information number is +34 958 271
272 and the station is fairly central in Avenida de Andaluces. Trains are run by RENFE www.renfe.es and the Talgo takes ~5½ hrs from Madrid. Local bus information can also be found
online at www.alsa.es. The following websites provide information on train schedules, fares and bookings:

US Residents booking train travel within Europe before departure: www.raileurope.com or
by phone 1-888-382-RAIL(7245)

Canadian Residents booking train travel within Europe before departure:
www.raileurope.ca or by phone 1-800-361-RAIL(7245)


AFTER THE FINISH

Your adventure finishes in Malaga at the Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro. If you have not already taken advantage of this spectacular city now is your chance. Malaga offers excellent public transportation for getting around town. Some of the must visit places in Malaga are Gibralfaro, Roman Theatre, The Cathedral, La Alcazaba, Santiago Church, Picasso Museum, Palace de Aduana and Palace Episcopal.


BEFORE AND AFTER

Hotel Recommendations in Malaga


MORE READING

Andalucia, Spain’s enchanting southern province, holds a lot to attract the serious cyclist. As long as one avoids the coast, there are fantastically quiet and stupendously beautiful rides through landscapes like no other. The roads frequently follow the landscape without alteration, providing an endlessly varied undulation of hills, descents and curves, all through mind-blowing scenery and between uniquely pretty “pueblos blancos” – Andalucia‘s white towns that contrast so beautifully with their natural surroundings. You can glide through vast nature reserves with golden eagles and buzzards overhead, shady cork oak forests, and across wide open plateaux, stopping to visit labyrinthine caves decorated with 25,000-year-old art, or to sip espressos and eat tapas on village terraces. Don Quixote tilted his windmills here, and travelling on horseback in 1750, Etienne de Silhouette described it as “the best part of all Spain, the most fertile, the richest; in short, the one in which all of Nature’s gifts have been distributed”. Landscapes apart, Andalucia is also one of the great melting-pots of the Mediterranean. It is the westernmost meeting-place of the pre-historic migrants from the Greek islands and later the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans. Later came great waves of invading Moors, Berbers, and Syrians. Their kingdom,“Al-Andalus”, lasted over 700 years, leaving distinctive traditions and architecture still evident in many villages, jasmine-scented courtyards and castellated fortresses. The charm of this rural region is enhanced by abundant greetings from the impossibly polite and often outstandingly beautiful descendants of such a cosmopolitan past. We hope you can come and meet some of them with us.

We recommend arriving a day early, to acclimatize and enjoy Malaga or Granada. There are some good climbs and descents on this ride, and it’s best to feel fresh and ready at the start!