Al-Andalus mountain bike tour in Spain

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Al-Ándalus: Mountain Bike Tour Through Andalusia

The Al-Ándalus mountain bike tour takes place in Andalusia, located in the sun-drenched south of Spain. As one of the largest and most vibrant autonomous communities in the country, Andalusia borders Portugal, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, Murcia, and the Mediterranean Sea, historically serving as the great “bridge” between Europe and Africa.

Over the centuries, this region was shaped by Romans and Germanic tribes like the Vandals and Visigoths. However, the most indelible and spectacular marks were left by the Arabs and Berbers, who remained in the Iberian Peninsula for over seven centuries, naming the territory Al-Ándalus.

Riding the Historic Mozarabic Way of St. James

Andalusia returned to Christian hands with the fall of Córdoba and Granada, entering a golden age from 1492 onward, fueled by overseas naval expeditions and maritime trade. Our cycling journey traces “The Mozarabic Way of St. James,” an ancient pilgrimage route used by Christians living under Moorish rule. Originating from Almería, Jaén, Granada, Málaga, and Córdoba, this historic path connects with the famous “Vía de la Plata” in Mérida before heading north toward Santiago de Compostela.

A Perfect Blend of Rugged Landscapes, Architecture, and Flavors

Along this demanding yet highly rewarding route, you will encounter countless architectural wonders, majestic mosques, old fortifications, and alcázars left behind by the Moorish occupation—highlighted by the breathtaking ruins of Medina Azahara in Córdoba and the iconic Alhambra palaces in Granada.

But cycling in Andalusia is far more than an architectural journey. The breathtaking geography leads us through endless olive groves and fruit plantations sculpted by generations of local farmers. As we pass through historic white villages, the air fills with art and the classic aroma of jasmine and orange trees. And the food… Andalusian gastronomy is an unforgettable experience all on its own!

DEPARTURE / ARRIVAL	Almería / Córdoba (Spain)
DEPARTING TIME	12:00 PM in Almería
SERVICES INCLUDED	GPS tracks for the entire route (GPS device must be mounted on your handlebar; device is not provided by the organization). Expert cycling guide (English, Spanish, and French-speaking) throughout the tour + local Spanish guide. Daily luggage transportation from hotel to hotel. Seven nights in selected 2 and 3-star hotels (double or triple occupancy) with breakfast included. One night in comfortable cabins (double or triple occupancy) with breakfast included. Mechanical assistance on the road and spare bike availability in case of breakdowns. Travel medical and accident insurance. Private van transfer from Almería to Rioja. Support vehicle available at key intervals throughout the day to provide hydration, snacks, and fresh fruits. Official event cycling jersey.
NOT INCLUDED	Lunches, dinners, and meals not specified in the itinerary, plus all beverages. Airfare, airport taxes, and unscheduled transfers. Bike replacement parts, laundry, phone calls, and personal expenses. MTB or E-Bike rental (available upon request).

Additional information

Location	Spain
Duration	9 days
Dates	May

Beautiful bike tour in Andalusia, south of Spain, starting in mediterranean Almeria, visiting Guadix, Granada, Alcala la Real, Zuheros and Cordoba.

Day 1: Meeting in Almeria, Andalusia

Reception and setting of the bikes, check in at the hotel and briefing about the tour before enjoying a delicious Andalusian dinner.

Day 2: Rioja to Abrucena

The day begins in Almeria, where we will take a transfer to move to “Rioja”, where our tour begins. Today highlights are traveling part of the “desert of Spain”, by transiting the green valley of the Andarax River and accompanying the “Sierra Alhamilla”. The route takes us in constant ascent, going through different towns such as “Santa Fe de Mondújar” and “Alhabia”, where we will regroup and have some snacks. Then we continue through “Santa Cruz de Marchena” and after 26 kilometers we will arrive at “Alboloduy” where we will take a “Bocadillo” or a “Salmorejo” for lunch. Here begins an intense ascent until reaching “Nacimiento”, the next town that you will find at kilometer 38. The landscape is combined from time to time with plantations of fruit trees and olive groves, while we always have in sight the national park of “Sierra Nevada “, where the” Mulhacén “is located, which at 3,478 meters above sea level is the highest peak of the Iberian Peninsula. We will pass through “Abla” and on a steep climb we will reach “Abrucena” where our first stage ends. Accommodation in cabins. 60Km/1460mts elevation gain – Off road & asphalt

Day 3: Abrucena to Guadix

Today will be a demanding stage, and we begin riding downwards towards “Abla”. The landscape is mountainous and rural and the route has no technical difficulty. We will cross little towns like “Fiñana” or “Huéneja” have narrow little streets and they look like labyrinths for those who have not been born in this land. The castle of “La Calahorra” can be seen from far away: A splendid fortress and castle, built on a rise plateau by the “Marquesado del Cenete” at the beginning of the 16th century, emerges in the distance distinguishing itself in the mountains. After 38km of pedaling mostly in ascent, it is the ideal place for a good stop and lunch. We continue alternating dirt roads and gravel and we will see for the first time the famous “House-caves” of the region of “Guadix”. “Jerez del Marquesado” will be the last hydration point to continue descending to “Guadix”. The Alcazaba, the Cathedral and the “cave-houses” deserve to be visited!
69 km/1040mts elevation gain – Off road & asphalt

Day 4: Guadix to Quentar

Today’s stage is fantastic! We leave “Guadix” and a few kilometers away we begin to pedal on an alley of earth encased in the middle of forests and farms. We will pass through “Purullena”, “Marchal” and “Graena” alternating uphills and downhills until arriving after 24 kilometers to “La Peza” where we will surely have lunch. There begins an intense ascent of five kilometers and three hundred meters of elevation gain to overcome, through forests, mountains and spectacular landscapes. The incredible sinuous downhill is done on an asphalt road that is usually traveled by many cyclists from Granada. A few kilometers before arriving at our hotel, we surround the “Presa de Quentar” (Quentar’s dam), an incredible turquoise water reservoir. 50.5 km / 1080 meters elevation gain – Offroad & asphalt

Day 5: Quentar to Granada

Today we are riding a very short stage, which will enable us having a break and also with the opportunity to arrive early to Granada and thus be able to meet one of the most important historical monuments of the Muslim world in Spain: the Alhambra, the ” Generalife “and the Nasrid Palaces. The route is not a walk since there are 4km that are made in strong ascent. This will allow us to downhill to Granada through “Sacromonte” and “Albaicin”, the Arab quarter and most beautiful viewpoint to see the “Alhambra”. The afternoon will be free to visit Granada and the Alhambra. Dinner will be at the “Albaicin”.
17 km/370mts elevation gain – Off road & asphalt

Day 6: Granada to Alcalá la Real

From Granada we leave towards the northwest to enter in an endless “sea” of olive plantations. As if it was a tapestry, there’s an endless landscape full of olive trees that loses on the horizon and justify the fact that Spain is the main producer of olive oil with 50% of the annual world production. In the first kilometers we pedal through rural areas where several oil producers are established. After pedaling 25km we will arrive at “Olivares” where we can have lunch. There begins a hard climb of 3km and 300mts of elevation gain to reach Moclin. For being in a very steep terrain, “Moclin” worked as a successful passage control between Alcalá la Real and Las Vegas de Granada in the old times. From “Moclin” we ride twenty kilometers more between farms and olive groves until we reach Alcalá la Real. In this city stands out the “Fortaleza de la Mota”, a 13th century monumental castle built by the Nasrids. The name “Alcalá la Real” comes from the Arabic “Al-Qal’a” (The fortress).
55 km/1090mts elevation gain – Off road & asphalt

Day 7: Alcalá la Real to Zuheros

We start our ride from “Alcalá la Real” surrounding the “Fortaleza de la mota”. The route to “Priego del Córdoba” takes us on the A-339 asphalt route, with more downhills than uphills. The route this morning will have a bit of traffic, which will extreme the precautions we will have to take. After 16km we pass through “Almedinilla” and the landscape continues rural and full of olive groves. “Priego del Cordoba” will be the place where we will use to rehydrate and have lunch. From “Priego del Cordoba” we start the second stage, the route will be much quieter, always wavy and we will approach the “Sierra Subbética”. From a distance you can see the cliffs of the sierras and the “Castillo de Zuheros” that is built on a monumental cliff. Reaching “Zuheros” by bike is absolutely astonishing: the combination of the rocks of the mountains, the olive groves on the horizon, the Muslim castle and the little houses all painted in white gives a charm that is difficult to describe. Its narrow and winding streets and its corners with a local traditional flavor have earned it the title of belonging to the network of “Most beautiful villages in Spain”. The rest of the afternoon will be free to walk around the town. 60.5 km/1220mts elevation gain – Asphalt road

Day 8: Zuheros to Cordoba

We say goodbye to “Zuheros” through a gentle downhill and northbound trend. A few kilometers away we pass through “Baena”, which also has its Arab castle built in the 9th century during the “Caliphate of Cordoba”. We continue through olive groves fields and very entertaining trails and downhill until we reach the river “Guadajoz”. “Castro del Río” will be the meeting point to rehydrate and have a sandwich. From the “Guadajoz” the road is undulated and drive us through farms of olive groves and fields of sunflowers. The last kilometers are made on a kind downhill, which allows us to see the spectacular city of “Córdoba” in advance. Crossing the Guadalquivir River through the 331 meter Roman bridge, built in the 1st century and that joined both banks for more than twenty centuries, is the crowning of a memorable journey. Cordoba, with its libraries, mosques, baths and souks would have been the most cultured, opulent and cultured city at the end of the first millennium. One cannot leave Córdoba without visiting the “Mezquita de Córdoba”, the narrow “Calle del Pañuelo”, the “Alcázar del Córdoba” or the royal stables, where you can see a show of Andalusian horses. 70km/970mts elevation gain – Off road, singletracks and asphalt

Day 9: Adiós Andalusia!

The tour officially ends at 10am in Córdoba. We highly recommend staying in the city for at least one more day in order to explore it and visit its heritage. The train station is near to downtown (1.500mts from the mosque) and is the best option to travel to other destinations in Spain.