THE MED COAST & SUMMITS

Bike Spain's Costa del Sol & Tropical

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Home | Bike Tours | Spain | Med Coast & Summits

Málaga, Torre del Mar, Almuñécar, Costa Tropical

5 or 7 Days, Self-Guided

4* Hotels

From

€995

Enjoy the Best Winter Cycling Destination in Europe.

It is true that Road Cycling in the Costa del Sol & Tropical is like living the dream! Cycle from the seaside town of Málaga and its pleasant beaches, biking alongside the warm ocean shoreline of the famed Mediterranean of Southern Spain. Climbers will love this tour with its many metas and hills to ascend. Ride some of the climbs La Vuelta often uses as you test yourself and your fitness level. This route is perfect all year round for winter training and riding.

Road Cyclists will stay in 3 bases (the tour can be customised to suit with more or less days), and enjoy quality 4 star hotels. Of course the ocean is always there for you to swim and great boardwalks for those of you who enjoy running (fantastic for triathlon training).

It is a mixture of rolling coastal hills of agricultural bounty, pine forests, mountain passes of the Sierra and Natural Parks and vistas of the sparkling Mediterranean. A perfect training ground for cyclist who love good climbs and the coastal life!

Please note that this tour can be adjusted to make the riding easier with Ebikes. We can provide shorter loops with less climbing if required – please ask.

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Dates

1 Feb 2024 to 30 Nov 2024

1 Feb 2025 to 30 Nov 2025

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Riding Level

Challenging

85km+ Daily Average

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Perfect all year around warm weather training and riding, designed by cyclists, for cyclists
Easy access from Malaga international airport (transfers can be arranged)
Beautiful mountain climbs on quiet roads
Flatter riding an option along the coastline of the great Mediterranean
Ride the roads of La Vuelta and test yourself on incredible climbs
Sample authentic Spanish seaside resorts where the locals go
Great choice of bars, restaurants and beachside cafés to suit all budgets

THE CC ADVANTAGE

Perfect sportive training, designed by cyclists, for cyclists

Committed to providing an excellent Local service using local businesses

Know your routes are well designed by the people who live and cycle here

This area is our local cycling area and we are only a ride away!

All arrangements worked well: bike, accommodation, directions-all perfect thanks to Maggi and Geoff and their enthusiastic road crews.
All I had to do was drink in the wonderful scenery and exert myself in a strenuous and very relaxing 8 day holiday. Highlights included the white villages all over hinterland of Torre del mar and Velez Malaga and the broad cultivated areas of the plains around Alhama. Great road climbs up the Puerto de Zaffaraya and Sierra Nevada (saw a few professional road cyclists up there!).

J. McQualter

Newcastle, Australia

Route Map

itinerary

DAY 1. MÁLAGA, COSTA DEL SOL ARRIVAL

Arrive in the very Southern Spanish city of Málaga on the Costa del Sol to start your bike tour (pick up from Málaga airport can be arranged). Your 4 star hotel is wonderfully located beside the cathedral and a short walk across to the world class marina with its restaurants and seaside ambience.

Málaga has an elegant historical centre with the Centre Pompidou, the Picasso Museum, an impressive Cathedral, Moorish Alcazar and a Roman amphitheatre! Take your dinner in this cultural centre and then afterwards, walk the beautiful tree lined port for a refreshing evening stroll. The attractive Andalusian style this city has is not to be missed.

DAY 2. MÁLAGA TO TORRE DEL MAR

Ride: up to 100 km | Elevation Gain : 1400 m : There are different ride options available today.

After a hearty breakfast, meet for a set up and introduction to the tour. Start you riding by heading inland from the city and soon you venture high into the Protected reserve of the Mountains of Málaga Park. Ascent the spectacular and beautiful category 1 climb, the Puerto de León, often used La Vuelta a España. Soon you have amazing views back over Malaga and the Mediterranean Coast as you pedal through forests of pine trees. A classic start to your cycling adventure, descend through white villages before arriving back at the coast. Spin your legs as you head to the seaside resort of Torre del Mar. (Easier option available too!)

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DAY 3. & 4. LONG & MEDIUM LOOPS IN TORRE DEL MAR

There are different ride options available for these days. Just ask and we will provide them. *5 DAY TOUR has only 1 loop ride here.

Ride : Long Loop option : 106 km | Elevation Gain : 1600 m

After cycling out of town, ascend the hillsides into the coastal mountains behind Torre. The ups are worth the effort and the views to the Mediterranean below are fantastic. Pass the many avocado trees and lemon trees that the foothills are famous for. A very popular area for local cyclists, you will spot fellow riders out for a spin. Head inland and up to the white villages of the Axarquia region. From here the roads are incredibly quiet, vistas immense and the pueblos pretty.

Pass through a hairpin descent almost back down to the coast line (from here you can take a short cut back) or continue on with the great scenery of this mountain area. After a final few climbs, head back the flatter lie of the seafront and coast along back to base at Torre.

Medium Loop option : 80 km | Elevation Gain: 1080 m or Long Route: 140 km |Elevation Gain: 1800 m

Another glorious loop ride to enjoy today is ahead of you as you head up and go inland again to the very pretty area surrounding Benarmagosa. Cycle past more white villages of a very traditional and typically Andalucian area. From here head down to the coastline on weaving roads that finally finish at the seaside. Ride back along the seashore on a slightly busier, but flat and smooth road.

Today’s loop is shorter, but if you want to add on some more, head out and attempt the Puerto de Zafarraya, a category 1 mountain pass featured in many La Vuelta a Españas – an epic climb of over 15 km with a gain of 900 m – there are always enough miles to conquer around here if you like hills.

DAY 5. TORRE DEL MAR TO ALMUÑECAR – COSTA TROPICAL

Ride : 85 km | Elevation Gain : 1500 m (other more moderate option given)

Moving on today, you head east along the coastline. Climb towards the Natural Park area of the Sierras de Tejada, the roads are beautiful yet challenging. Climbing to the heights of Frigiliana, one of the prettiest villages in southern Spain, a quick descent leads into Nerja, a large beach resort popular with tourists. From here ride the road of the coast, climbing and descending into your new destination of Almuñecar. This seaside town has a larger feel than Torre with its interesting historic centre of winding streets.

DAY 6. CIRCULAR LOOP ALMUÑECAR

Ride : 130+ km | Elevation Gain : 1800 m (Moderate option Out & Back)

The last ride day could be the biggest. Today, head from the back of the hotel and attempt one of the most beautiful climbs in Southern Spain, the “Cabra”. It is a tough challenge of 25km of climbing, but taken at a slow and comfortable speed, very doable. Just look at the incredible mountain formations. At the top, you could turn around and head back down to Almuñécar, or continue on for a loop on the old road to Granada. Enter the wonders of the Lecrin Valley, with its orange growing micro-climate, before descending back down towards Motril and the coastline to Almuñécar. A truly fantastic day taking on some parts of La Vuelta Mountain Ride!

DAY 7. ONWARD TRAVELS BACK TO MÁLAGA/GRANADA

After breakfast it’s time to say goodbye to the Mediterranean and head off for your onward journey. There are easy coach connections back to Málaga / Granada or we can arrange a transfer. We hope to see you again! Or extend your road cycling trip into Granada and take on the climbs in the Sierra Nevada!

Trip details

Road Cycling Tour : Self-Guided

Bikes : Road

Route : Based on the Mediterranean Coast of South Spain. Fixed Base of Torre del Mar. Loops provided out of this base and a route to cycle to/ from Málaga.

Group Size : 2+ | Discounts for Groups of 4+ Booking Together

Riding Level

Challenging : or Moderate : distances are a daily average of 60 km+. Each day there is an option to extend / shorten the distances and the itinerary can be customised to your requirements. Good surfaced roads on quiet country roads (busier near the seaside). Suitable for road bikes. The countryside is rolling and the terrain is hilly to mountainous. Be prepared for hills and climbs and of course some great descents.

Daily Average Ascent: 1100 metres on Challenging Tour.

Accommodation

Specially chosen quality hotel for 4 or 6 nights

All bedrooms are en-suite.

Food

All breakfasts which are buffet style

1 Dinner (4 day) or 2 Dinners (6 night) included (drinks extra)

Included

Luggage delivered to your next hotel when moving on
Meet in Málaga Centre on 2nd morning (10:30am)
Welcome meeting and introduction to the route and area
Emergency support and contact details
Pre tour pack & Tour Guide navigation App with maps / route notes / ride profiles / GPS tracks
Complimentary Cycling Country water bottles (2), Teeshirt, helmet bag, luggage tags

Extras Not Included

Hire of Trek Carbon Emonda Road Bike with Ultegra/105 Groupset, compact 50×34, 12-30 cassette at an extra cost of 185 Euros for 7 days ( 155€ : 5 Days)
Custom Santini Cycling Country Race Cut Jersey – 67 Euros

Getting Here & Transfers

Private transfers can be arranged from Malaga airport or other destinations if you are needing to transport bike boxes / bikes.

There are regular coaches / AVE train routes that run along the coastline from Málaga to other parts of Spain / Andalucia

Staff

You will be met and set up with the route/hire bike by 1 staff member. It is a self led tour with no van support. Transfer of luggage provided and an emergency / on-road assistance number to contact 24 hours.

Lodgings

The lulling waves of the nearby Med, is a welcome relief after a day in the saddle.

The great stretch of beach outside your hotels and the boardwalk to wander the warm evening hours is a relaxing way to end the day on this trip. Hotels on this Andalucian Mediterranean bike tour are something you will look forward to daily and are 3-4star beach hotels close to the centre and a pleasure to hand out in.

You will sleep well after a day in the saddle in these places!

Cycle Touring Axarquia and the Med Coast

Luxury Hotel for Cycling in Spain's Southern Coast

Reviews

“Maggie and Geoff (and to all of Andalusia )

Thank you for helping to make this is great week for us. As it was our last day we “leaned in” and went for the full loop from Almunecar ( 134km and 2400m of climbing). It was a challenging ride for each of us. So much so that supper consisted (in our hotel room) of fish and chips from the shop on the beach promenade and the best bottle of wine that we could find at the liege grocery store by the hotel. We had to go next door to buy a corkscrew!

We really enjoyed the week and Andalusia. The routes were very good, and the bikes worked out very well for us.
…
Thanks again.”
J. & J. Gordon – March 2019

As you probably gathered from Julie’s daily updates (haha) we had a great time on the Med Tour! Everything was very well organised, hotels were good, Geoff was great with setting us up and the bikes were great (we are all tempted to buy trek bikes now!). The routes were all great and pretty tough. We loved the more gradual climbs in particular!!”
M. Van der Pol and 2 friends, – April 2018

All arrangements worked well: bike, accommodation, directions-all perfect thanks to Maggi and Geoff and their enthusiastic road crews.
All I had to do was drink in the wonderful scenery and exert myself in a strenuous and very relaxing 8 day holiday. Highlights included the white villages all over hinterland of Torre del mar and velez malaga and the broad cultivated areas of the plains around Alhama. Great road climbs up the Puerta de Zaffaraya and the Sierra Nevada(saw a few professional road cyclists up there!). To top it off there was the enigmatic historical traces of the Moors from Velez malaga, the Alhama hot springs, Loja and the Alhambra in Granada.”
J. McQualter- NewCastle, Australia – June 2015

Testimonials from previous cyclists are always available and we enjoy receiving the feedback after tours. It helps us improve our services and offer you an even better experience. Please feel free to contact us if you would like a reference to talk to. Others have also posted reviews on the independent travel website .