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:
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:
- DAY 1: Introductions
- DAY 2: ~76 km
- DAY 3: ~78 km
- DAY 4: ~83 km
- DAY 5: ~17 km hike
- DAY 6: Up to ~98 km
- DAY 7: Up to ~100 km & Farewells
Spain: Granada to Malaga: Andalucia Bike – Elevation Profile
(Click image to enlarge)
Elevation Profile
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
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.
Please contact us to arrange alternate plans, if necessary.
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. D (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfasts)
Alhambra Palace Hotel, or Hotel El Ladron de Agua (self-guided trips), Granada
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. BLD
Hotel La Viñuela, Viñuela
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. BLD
Parador de Antequera, or Hotel El Fuente del Sol, Antequera
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
Parador Ronda, or Hotel Alavera de los Baños, Ronda
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. B
Same lodging
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. BLD
Parador Arcos de la Frontera, Arcos de la Frontera
Up to ~100km – 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. Your lakeside picnic, on a typically warm Andalucia day, should follow or finish with a beautiful swim. Afterward, see how far you can ride toward the coast near Gibraltar before we pick you up to transfer you to Malaga for farewells. BL
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SCHEDULED DATES
2023 Guided dates:
- Nov 18 – 24, 2023
2024 Guided dates:
- Contact us to add your preferred date.
Self-Guided available any dates, except for those listed above. New dates are also welcomed for guided or private departures.
PRICING
Guided: C 4785 (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, 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 4235 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, luggage transfers, maps and route notes, 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: 875
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid-Fitness: 265
Carbon Racing: 395
Electric-Assist: 475
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.
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!
