5 Day Andalusian Adventure Cycling / E-Biking and Excursion Holiday in Spain
Spain Cycling Tour
Spain has been a favorite for many holidaymakers for years, thanks to its fantastic beaches, lovely climate, and stunning scenery. This cycling tour in Spain helps you to explore the incredible beauty of hilltop towns, dramatic mountains, and huge descents.
Key information
- Trip type: Guided
- Lodging: Point to Point
- Terrain: Road undulating
- Starts in: Pizarra
- Ends in: Alora
- Total Distance: 142 Miles / 228 Kilometers or bespoke
- Type of bike: Road bike and hybrid bikes (included)
- E-bike: Available to rent
- 8 - 16 participants
Meet the instructors
Highlights
- 3 cycling days
- Ride through stunning landscapes in Andalusia
- Visit to Alhambra Palace
- Coaching where appropriate included (3 people per guide)
- 4 nights accommodation
- Daily meals
- E-bikes available for all party
- Airport transfers and support vehicles along the route
Skill level
- Beginner
Accommodation
You will be staying in four-star hotels, fincas, or similar and have been hand-picked due to their location and connections with the local guides that will be helping you along the route. You will be staying in Granada, Loja, Antequera, and Alora.
Program
Daily itinerary
Day 1
Pick up from Malaga Aiport or nearby named hotels before 12:00 p.m. Afternoon in Granada and visit the Alhambra Palace.
Day 2: Granada - Loja
- Distance: 40 - 50 kilometers / 25 - 31 miles (you can do as much as you wish on this route)
- Riding time: 5 hours
- Terrain: Road undulating
Along the route on today's travels, you will pass many small market villages among them Loja and Huetor Tajar. Loja is situated at the western limit of the province of Granada. It is surrounded by the so-called Sierra de Loja, of which the highest peak, Sierra Gorda, stands 1,671 meters above sea level. Loja has sometimes been identified with the ancient Ilipula, or with the Lacibi (Lacibis) of Pliny and Ptolemy. It is unknown when the Moors first captured Loja; most likely this happened in the eighth century. it was captured by the Christians in 1486, during the Reconquista.
Isabella I of Castile called it the "flower among thorns". There are some lovely Tapas bars and rolling roads that lead to some stunning vistas in this part of Andalusia. A few kilometers out of Loja, you roll into Huétor Tájar, situated 43 kilometers west of the city of Granada. Huétor-Tájar lies within the fertile Genil River valley. The main source of income is the asparagus culture and its commercialization. It is a very quiet village and sometimes where you shall stop for the evening.
Day 3: Loja - Antequera
As you leave the first hotel, you will go through Loja and start your journey to Antequera following some parts of the Rio Frio or Genil and then onto many of the old roads that link up the market towns along the route including Salinas and Archidonas. Eventually, you arrive in Antequera, which is known for its ancient burial mounds, including the Dolmen de Menga, Dolmen de Viera, and Tholos de El Romeral.
The Alcazaba of Antequera is a centuries-old Moorish fortress. The vast nature preserve of Torcal de Antequera has dramatic limestone tower rock formations. Overlooking the town, Peña de los Enamorados is a distinctive, face-shaped mountain, which you see on the approach from the west of the city on your bikes.
Day 4: Antequera - El Chorro
- Distance: 56 kilometers / 35 miles
- Riding time: 3 hours (you can do as much or as little as you wish)
- Terrain: Road undulating
Pizarra is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The municipality is situated approximately 30 kilometers from Málaga. It is located in the center of the province and belongs to the comarca of Valle del Guadalhorce. As you leave the first hotel, you will go through Pizarra and start your journey to Antequera following some parts of the Rio Guadalhorce and then onto many of the old roads that link up the market towns along the route including, Álora and Valle de Abdalajis.
Eventually, you arrive in Antequera, which is known for its ancient burial mounds, including the Dolmen de Menga, Dolmen de Viera, and Tholos de El Romeral. The Alcazaba of Antequera is a centuries-old Moorish fortress. The vast nature preserve of Torcal de Antequera has dramatic limestone tower rock formations. Overlooking the town, Peña de los Enamorados is a distinctive, face-shaped mountain, which you see on the approach from the west of the city on your bikes.
Day 5: Caminito de Rey and Alora
- Distance: 4.5 kilometers / 2.8 miles walking
- Riding time: 2.5 hours
- Terrain: Path, gravel, stairs, or tarmac
- Estimated time: 2:30 hours
El Caminito del Rey (The King's Little Path) is a walkway pinned along the steep walls of a narrow gorge in El Chorro, near Ardales in the province of Málaga, Spain. Its name derives from the original name of Camino del Rey (King's Pathway), abbreviated locally to el caminito. The walkway was constructed in the early 20th century. The walkway was built to provide workers at the hydroelectric power plants at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls with a means to cross between them, to provide for the transport of materials, and to help facilitate inspection and maintenance of the channel.
The construction began in 1901 and was finished in 1905. King Alfonso XIII crossed the walkway in 1921 for the inauguration of the dam Conde del Guadalhorce, and it became known by its present name. Toro Blanco’s Guided Cycling team feels this is a must-see before you leave, so you will be guided through the stunning walkway with your eyes filled with different scenes and viewpoints every few minutes. This will take your breath away.
The nearest town to El Caminito is Álora which is located some 40 kilometers from Málaga, on the right bank of the river Guadalhorce and the Córdoba-Málaga railway, within the comarca of Valle del Guadalhorce. It is a typical pueblo blanco, a whitewashed village nestled between three rocky spurs topped by the ruins of the castle, you may cycle around and up to El Caminito de Rey on the last day, time permitting of course. This is one of the best fully supported and guided cycling or e-biking and excursion holidays you will come across in Europe. World-class guides and a landscape so beautiful with weather to match.
About the tour
You can now explore some of Spain’s hidden gems on bikes. You will be guided on your bikes through some interesting scenery. Andalucía is home to a rich variety of historical monuments, some of which you will be visiting along the cycle route and include the UNESCO World Heritage site the “Alhambra Palace” in Granada, and the incredible “Caminito del Rey” near Malaga. Toro Blanco Active Holidays strives to provide you with the highest level of guided cycling and walking with this holiday.
To create an unforgettable experience where everything is taken care of for you, they will provide support vehicles for their customers (which is not common among tour operators). They also have different bike sizes and male and female bikes available, which is not offered by other tour operators. This means that you will get the perfect bike for your height, comfort, and preference, without compromising on quality or performance. They can pick you up from Málaga Airport (AGP) or a hotel close to the airport.
Difficulty levels
- Easy: Cyclists do not need to have a certain level of fitness, mostly flat terrain though occasionally they will ride in unpaved or hills, 10 to 30 miles per day)
- Moderate: Cyclists need to have a good level of fitness, terrain is mostly hilly or unpaved but they will ride on flat terrain sometime, 40 to 60 kilometers per day
Instructors
Christopher Roy
Established health and fitness coach Chris Roy who spent 10 years living in Andalusia as a professional triathlete, is offering bespoke active cycling holidays, in a warm climate and positive environment. His aim is to showcase what a beautiful region this is and what can be done by taking the worry out of active holidays. Chris also holds an (1st class hons) degree in Applied Sports Science (BSc, Hons) and has the highest recognised level of coaching qualification in the UK (Level 4).
Marta Garrido Martinez
Native to the region of Andalucía and an ex-Spanish athletics sprinter. Marta will be taking charge of transportation and liaise between hotels and the logistics surrounding this. She will join you each day for the coffee stop at the half way point and accompany you in the latter part of the day.
Carlos Roman
Carlos, who is native to Granada, has many years experience with high level fitness instruction, in particular strength and conditioning. Few know the area around Granada better than he does. A constant problem solver and very positive, good natured coach, you will all find that he is a joy to be around. Chris and Carlos have worked together for many years.
Paul Glendell
Paul will be the number one "Go to Guy" during the day to day activities when/if problems arise. He has many years of experience with expedition planning and delivery. He has travelled widely, and has a keen interest in cycling and running. Paul will be the main driver in the support vehicle behind all riders during your rides. He will be facilitating Chris on any operational issues that arise during the tour. In the evenings he will be at dinner, regaling you all of his great adventures. Paul has also worked as a freelance travel journalist and photographer.
Location
The tour will take place in Spain. Toro Blanco Active Holidays will pick you up from the coast near Malaga, your journey will start in Granada with a visit to the Alhambra and then wind your way among the orange groves, and down through the rolling hills of the Sierra Nevada and out towards the coast, covered in sun-soaked olive trees on your back to Malaga.
While passing through the many ancient sleepy towns and villages, all with their own unique stunning view. You will realize what a pleasure it is to find such places, many of which you may not have heard of. Andalusia is often referred to as the fruit basket of Europe by many Europeans.
Food
You will be served daily meals, drinks, and snacks included in the price. All restaurants, cafes, and hotels you visit have a great selection of meats, fish, pasta, vegetables, and fresh fruit daily. For alcohol, Toro Blanco Active Holidays limits everyone to two glasses of pints or spirits per evening meal. This is due to health and safety measures when cycling and walking each day at 35c dehydration can become an issue for guests if they drink in excess each day.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Soda
- Alcoholic beverages
- Detox juices
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Gluten Free
- Organic
- Pescatarian
- Lactose Free
- Other dietary requirements on request
What's included
- Cycling tour
- 2 excursions
- 4 nights accommodations
- All meals
- All drinks
- Snacks
- Bikes or e-bikes
- 3 support vehicles
- 3 - 4 guides
- All transfers
What's not included
- Airfare
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Málaga Airport
97 km
Transfer included
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 100% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.