Glorious Gravel – Off Road Adventures in Cycling

Off:Roader Andalucia

Three stages | 295km

Nights

4

Stages

3.5

Difficulty

4/5

PRICE FROM

£1399

Nights

4

Stages

3.5

Difficulty

5/5

PRICE FROM

£1399

OVERVIEW

HIGHLIGHTS

ACCOMMODATION

GETTING THERE

PACKING LIST

FAQs

OVERVIEW

The best gravel riding in Europe?

 

Join us in October for a trip to the sunny  Andalucia, home to some of the best & most varied gravel roads around.  Our trip starts just outside Granada and over three & half days of riding, we head into the Badlands of the Gorafe Desert & the forests of the Sierra Nevadas.

 

Expect sweeping gravel roads through beautiful countryside with a few tough climbs thrown in to balance the carb loading in one of Spain’s best food regions. The trip starts & ends just outside Granada (flight transfers from Malaga) with the middle two nights in the picturesque town of Guadix.

 

The riding is fairly punchy each day (avg 1,700m elevation) but on flowy gravel so should be suitable for riders of most abilities. We will ride in two, no drop groups led by our expert guides and evenings are super social & spent all together.

Included in Ride Package

Accommodation

4 nights in a range of local and small hotels. Choose private single, shared twin (2 beds) or shared double (1 bed) rooms.

Airport Transfers

Fly into Malaga (AGP) where our team will be on hand to collect you & drop you back off on departure day.

3 Epic Stages

Fully supported rides with guides leading small groups, van support & regular feed stops with a warm up ride on arrival day.

Meals

Bring some money for drinks but our package includes 4 dinners, 3 lunches & 4 breakfasts.

Regular Stops

Regular feed stops approx every 30km with lunch stops in beautiful locations.

Luggage

We move your overnight bags from hotel to hotel each day and provide a day bag to collect at lunch.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED: Flights, Insurance (mandatory), Drinks with lunch & evening meals

REAL RIDER REVIEWS

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Arrival in Malaga, transfer Granada (transfer takes approx. 1h40 min). Warm up evening ride of 30km to make sure legs & bike are in good condition for bigger rides to come.

DAY 2

Stage One: Granada to Guadix - 76km, 1900m elevation, 54% off road

DAY 3

Stage Two: Guadix to Guadix - 107km, 1330m elevation, 62% off road

DAY 4

Stage Three: Guadix to Granada - 82km, 1920m elevation, 60% off road

DAY 5

Stage Four: Taroudant to Taghazout - 70km, 2119m elevation, 55% off road

DAY 5

Departure day. Transfer back to Malaga airport (transfer takes approx. 1h40 min)

RIDE HIGHLIGHTS

Europe's best gravel?

Enjoy some of the best gravel roads through stunning scenery in this quiet & beautiful back corner of Andalucia

Varied Landscapes

Across three rides & a warm up, you will ride through pine forests, mountain foothills and deserts.

perfect mix of escapism & culture

Most of this trip is out in the back-country where we see real life in rural Andalucia but we finish back in Granada with drinks by the Alhambra.

Late Season sunshine

Andalucia is home to one of the best climates in Europe in late October. Just as it is getting dark & cold back home, Granada averages sunny days in the mid 20s.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Accommodation

We’ll stay in a mixture of local hotels. You can choose between a private single room (limited availablity), shared twin (2 beds) or shared double (1 bed) room. All of our accommodation is hand picked and we have selected some really special places.

Bike & Tyre Choice

The route is suitable for gravel bikes equipped with 38-45mm tyres suggested. We highly recommend you run tubeless to allow you to run lower tyre pressures and help reduce punctures.

Food

Andalucia is home to Gazpacho (and Salmorejo), tapas and lots of great local fish & meat. We enjoy dinners at a mix of our hotels & local restaurants. On the ride there are regular feed stops & lunch at local restaurants.

weather

We choose time of year for our trips to coincide with the best riding weather. Temperatures should be in the low to mid 20s during the day with cooler evenings.

Terrain

Most of the route is on smooth gravel but over nearly 300km, you can expect a bit of everything and conditions can turn smooth gravel into mud quickly!

The Route

The days range from 1300 to 1900m of elevation so they are all fairly challenging rides but if you can do a typical UK Glorious Gravel ride, you should be comfortable riding here.

7 UNMISSABLE HIGHLIGHTS IN MOROCCO

NUMBER One

Tizi n’Test - an Alpine climb in the Atlas Mountains

At the end of stage two - the Queen Stage, is the 27km climb of Tizi n’Test, arguably the best climb in Morocco.

Starting in the valley, this epic climb was built while the French were here in the 1920s and has the feel of an alpine climb with hairpins twisting up the mountain to the summit at over 2,000m. There are no steep sections (avg gradient is just 3%) but expect to spend 1.5 to 2.5hrs getting up to the summit, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the stunning views.

NUMBER TWO

The Ancient City of Taroudant

Stage three finishes in Taroudant after two days in the remote Atlas Mountains.

We stay in a delightful hotel in town and after some time to freshen up, we head into the old town and explore the market with a local guide before a delicious dinner.

number three

Remote riding in rural Morocco

Straight from arrival, the ride takes us into remote gravel roads to discover real, rural Moroccan life.

The riding is a mix of mostly gentle climbing and flat sections with lots of opportunity to sit in & ride with mates new and old.

Number Four

Delightful local food

This is a great country for food with excellent couscous, bbq and lots & lots of tagines!

Breakfasts are at the hotel with lots of tasty bread & eggs. Lunch is on the road mostly with picnics by the trails and dinner is generally at our accommodation.

Number five

Sun, sand & surf in Taghazout

The ride finishes on the beautiful sandy beaches of Taghazout, famous around the world for its surf breaks.

After the final ride, we head straight into the ocean for a swim before watching the sunset. On the final morning, before getting transfers back to Agadir, we have a surf lesson in the smaller waves.

Number six

Quiet villages & Berber culture

Along the route we pass many small, traditional Berber villages that rarely see tourists.

Particularly on stage three, we ride through villages that were devastated by the earthquake in 2023 and through the ride we see how people live in the mountains, on the plains and by the coast.

Number seven

Tea!

A huge part of the riding ritual in Morocco is to drink tea before, during and after each stage.

The tea here is minty and incredibly sweet, you don't even want to know how much sugar goes into each small cup. But, nothing quite hits like a local cuppa and this is an essential part of breakfast & warming up when the sun sets and we are high in the mountains.

STAGE DETAILS

Route Summary:

Embark on an unforgettable gravel bike adventure from Granada to Guadix, weaving through the picturesque landscapes of southern Spain. Pedal your way along stunning gravel tracks, passing the serene Canales Reservoir and soaking in breathtaking views of rugged terrain and rolling hills.

This ride offers the perfect blend of challenging terrain, natural beauty, and a true sense of exploration. Whether you’re an experienced rider or just love the thrill of the open road, this journey promises an experience like no other.

Ride Distance: 76km   Ride Elevation: 1900m   % Off Road: 52%   Difficulty: 4/5

Route Summary:

Discover the raw beauty of the Gorafe Desert on a thrilling gravel ride through southern Spain. Pedal across dramatic desert landscapes, with towering cliffs and vast open skies as your backdrop. Along the way, take a well-deserved break at a charming local café, where you can savor a rich, aromatic coffee while soaking in the tranquil surroundings.

Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a gravel enthusiast, this adventure offers the perfect mix of challenge, stunning scenery, and a relaxing pause to recharge. Experience the Gorafe Desert like never before!

Ride Distance: 107km   Ride Elevation: 1330m   % Off Road: 55%   Difficulty: 3.5/5

Route Summary:

The southern route from Guadix to Granada offers not just physical enjoyment but also cultural experiences. You might pass through charming small towns and rural landscapes, where the simplicity of the region’s way of life adds another layer to the adventure.

Once you approach Granada, the iconic Alhambra and the historic cityscape await, providing a perfect contrast to the natural beauty encountered along the way.

Ride Distance: 82km   Ride Elevation: 1920m   % Off Road: 55%   Difficulty: 4/5

ACCOMMODATION

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PACKING LIST

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GETTING THERE

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Flights

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Transfers

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Outbound

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Your Guides

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Rental Bikes

getting to ANDALUCIA

Fly Into: Malaga airport (AGP) 

Fly Out: Malaga airport (AGP)  

Flights From: There are regular direct flights operated by British Airways, Ryanair and Easyjet to Malaga airport. 

Transfer Times: 

On arrival day, transfers will be at 11 am.

On departure day, the transfer leaves the hotel at 7am for flights departing after 10.30am.

Note: transfer times are subject to change should flight times change. Final times will be confirmed and sent to you a month before your trip.

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation: We’ll stay in a mixture of hotels. You can choose between a private single room (limited availablity), shared twin (2 beds) or shared double (1 bed) room. All of our accommodation is hand picked and we have selected some really special places. 

We stay at:

Granada – Boutique Hotel Cerro del Sol

Guadix – YIT Abentofail (2 nights)

Granada – Boutique Hotel Cerro del Sol

Meals – 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches on the road, 4 dinners are included in the package. Drinks with lunch & dinner are excluded.

packing list

Cycling Kit

Bibs/shorts | Jerseys/tops (consider LS t-shirts for cooler temperatures)

Gilet | Waterproof jacket | Arm and leg warmers

Cycling shoes | Socks | Mitts

Helmet | Sunglasses

2 bottles | Chamois cream | Sun cream

GPS device with handle bar mount

Bike Spares

2 x inner tubes suitable for the size of your tyre

Spare tyre | Tyre levers

1 x puncture repair kit (if running a tubeless set up, have a tubeless repair kit including plugs and spare sealant)

Multitool | Chain link specific for your bike chain | Lube | Brake pads 

Spare rear mech hanger for your bike

Small pump | Rear light | 2 Bottle cages

Spare batteries/charging cables for lights

 

Personal Medical Kit

1 x crepe roll bandage | Gauze or similar absorbent dressing

Small set of scissors | Tweezers | Pain Killers (paracetamol) | Imodium

Steri-Strips | Antiseptic (spray, cream or wipes)

Assorted plasters | Rubber gloves | Prescribed medication

 

Must Pack Items

Power bank | Head torch | Flip flops | Swimming kit | Shower gel | Hydration & Personal energy bars

Hotels & Meals

Accommodation: We’ll stay in a mixture of hotels. You can choose between a private single room (limited availablity), shared twin (2 beds) or shared double (1 bed) room. All of our accommodation is hand picked and we have selected some really special places. 

We stay at:

Granada – Boutique Hotel Cerro del Sol

Guadix – YIT Abentofail (2 nights)

Granada – Boutique Hotel Cerro del Sol

Meals – 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches on the road, 4 dinners are included in the package. Drinks with lunch & dinner are excluded.

 

DATES & PRICES

START

FINISH

SINGLE ROOM

TWIN/

DOUBLE ROOM

DEPOSIT

£1599

£1399pp

£399pp

£1599

£1399pp

£399pp

DATES & PRICES

Single

£1599

Twin

£1399pp

Deposit

£399pp

Single

£1599

Twin

£1399pp

Deposit

£399pp

FAQs

If you can handle the distances & elevation (avg day 85-90km, 1700m elevation) then you should be fine on this ride. Most of the off road is smooth and flowy. We expect to be riding for 6-8hrs each day with three stops.

There are regular direct flights operated by British Airways, Ryanair and Easyjet to Malaga airport. 

On arrival day, transfers will depart from the airport at 11 am. On departure day, the transfer leaves the hotel at 7am for flights departing Malaga airport after 10.30am. Transfer time is approx. 1h40 min.

Note: transfer times are subject to change should flight times change. Final times will be confirmed and sent to you a month before your trip.

We collaborate with a local partner to provide bike rental. Booking can be made directly on the partners website : www.sierranevada.cc 

The dates to select are: from the 15/10 to 18/10, specifying Glorious Gravel in the delivery note section. The bike will be delivered to the hotel.  

We expect temperatures in the mid 20s, with cooler temperatures in the evenings.

British citizens do not require a visa to enter Spain.

 

Travel insurance is compulsory for our trips, and you are required to provide us with your policy information before departing.

 

Your insurance should include adequate cover for cycling abroad, any emergency medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and your bike. We also recommend it includes cancellation insurance, should you be unable to join the trip for specific reasons such as illness.

 

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