Sea to Sierra Nevada

Andalucia Spain Road Cycling Adventure

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MALAGA, COSTA TROPICAL, GRANADA, SIERRA NEVADA

7 Days/6 Nights – Self-Guided

4 Star City Hotels, Inn & Beach Hotel

From

€ 1525

Sea 2 Summit – Cycle Málaga to Sierra Nevada Loop.

The best road bike routes stick in your memory long after you have ridden a thousand more miles. This is that route.

A challenging self-guided Spanish bike tour that encapsulates everything that is amazing about road cycling in Andalucia. This triangle shaped itinerary will leave you begging for more of these dreamy roads. Start cycling from the Costa del Sol’s favourite coastal city, Málaga, all the way to the top of the highest road in Europe, Pico de Veleta in the Sierra Nevada. That is from 0 to 3394m and back. One for the bucket list. Wow.

The terrain takes no prisoners. Cycle alongside the blue of the Mediterranean Sea. Then the mountains appear, with your ascent of the Cabra (the Goat), the super hors category Pico Veleta in the Sierra Nevada and the snaking pass of the Puerto del Sol (Pass of the Sun). With three nights beside the sea, two nights in historic Granada, and one in rural Andalucia, you can’t get better road biking in Spain.

These roads are ridden by La Vuelta a España over and over, and for good reason. They are totally inspiring.

We guarantee, you will not be disappointed. #TopRoadCycling

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Dates

15 Jan 2025 to 15 Dec 2025

15 Jan 2026 to 15 Dec 2026

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Riding Level

Challenging with
Longer Hills

85KM Daily Average

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Cycle world class climbs and terrain. From 0m Sea to 3394m Summit!
Discover Granada and the Sierra Nevada. Europe’s Highest Road.
Enjoy the Costa del Sol city, Málaga and its tremendous cycling landscape
Ride along the Costa del Sol and Costa Tropical, take in seaside views
You won’t believe how many amazing ascents there are to tackle. Go wild on them!

CC Advantage

An Epic A to B Adventure from Málaga seaside to Europe’s Highest road at over 3000m

We’ve been Riding this route for 16 years and still Love it

Classy 4 star hotels, Boutique Inn and Beach Hotel

Stay in CC’s Home Town, say Hi, and tell us how the trip is going!

Choose a quality carbon with Disc brakes for those Descents

Easy navigation by GPS

A great experience. It was perfectly organized with good carbon road bikes, friendly set up and just great cycling through the heart of rural Andalucia. Loved the hotels, great sights and the all round service offered by you and your team. Thanks so much. You will be hearing from us again to book another bike tour! Gracias.

J. & M. Weatherstone

Chicago, USA

Route Map

itinerary

Day 1. ARRIVAL IN MÁLAGA

Arrive at Málaga airport and make your way to our nearby centrally located hotel. Enjoy the afternoon in this classy Costa del Sol city. Not just offering great opportunities for outside dining and drinking, but a thoroughly world class destination, with marina, historic cathedral, Picasso museum, beaches and of course lovely weather. (Airport transfers can be arranged).

Day 2. MALAGA TO ALMUÑECAR – COSTA TROPICAL

Ride: 72 km | Elevation Gain: 352 m
After a hearty breakfast, prepare with an intro meeting from our guide and bike set. Then start riding with a beautiful coastal ride from Málaga to the Mediterranean town on the Costa de Tropical, Almuñecar. A ride that is local cyclists’s favourite, it keeps the sparkling Med Sea in view. A nice warm up to get your legs moving before tomorrow’s Awesome (with a capital “A”) challenge.

Stop en route in the beach resort town of Nerja, famous for its seafood and viewpoints out to the blue seas. Relax in the evening at your beachfront hotel in Almuñecar.

See more

Day 3. ALMUÑECAR TO GRANADA

Ride: 74 km | Elevation Gain: 1604 m

An epic climb. We know the word epic is used a lot, but this time it counts. This category 1 ascent is called the Cabra (or goat in English!). An 17km monster climb is smooth to ride with hairpins leading you up what is regarded as one of the most beautiful climbs in Spain. Edging you away from the Costa, you wind your way up the coastal mountain. The Vuelta never passes up a chance to go up it.

Glide down into the tremendous city of Granada and enjoy a cold beer with tapas, a city speciality. You deserve it after today. Your 4 star hotel is wonderfully located for you to enjoy the sights of this famed place.

Day 4. GRANADA – SIERRA NEVADA & PICO VELETA

Ride: 94 km | Elevation Gain: 2600 m

Any cyclist worth their weight, has to give the Sierra Nevada and Pico de Veleta a go. The highest road in Europe awaits with a few tasty ramps to make you grit your teeth. If that doesn’t get you, the altitude might at 3394 m. Over 35 km of constant uphill, it is a test of determination for all riders. What a downhill though! (Note in the winter months due to snow, the road may be closed – it is always open to 2500m / 25km climb which is great achievement as well and the finish of La Vuelta.)

Love Hills? Have the opportunity to extend your stay here and try some of the other climbs and rides in the area. You will be spoilt for choice around here. Have a read of our Sierra Nevada cycling Blog to give yourself some ideas.

Day 5. GRANADA TO ALHAMA DE GRANADA

Ride: 75 km | Elevation Gain: 853 m

Time to cycle out of the city into the tranquil countryside with a couple of longer ascents, out of the valley bottom lakeside to Alhama de Granada, stop by thermal baths to soothe muscles. Take an early evening afternoon walk along the deep cut gorge. This is our home HQ so stop in to say “hola”. Relax in a gem of a place, a picturesque Andalucian boutique hotel.

Love More Miles or Vistas? For another exceptional day of road cycling, stay another day in the countryside for a 100 km+ loop ride. Some hard climbs mixed with rolling ups and downs are abundant as you pass through farming villages. Visit the small town, in which National Geographic has designated, “One of the World’s best views of a village”. Cycle back and one more climb awaits, of course. A brilliant cycling day.

Day 6. ALHAMA TO MÁLAGA

Ride: 85 km | Elevation Gain: 952 m

An unforgettable day awaits with great cycling miles and ever-changing scenery. A real mix of terrain and a lot of up and down, heading back to the Med. Start off by getting out of Alhama to go through the famous Boquette, a rocky portal to the Mediterranean. A firm Vuelta favourite. Cycling into the Axarquia, this micro-climate terrain is relentless. Make it more so with the ride up the cat 1 Puerto del Sol on the way and you will feel a real sense of achievement, before slipping into coastal Málaga via the Puerto de Léon, another Vuelta climb. Pat yourself on the back for a tremendous ride!

Love to keep going? Have another day at this coastal town to try some of the local climbs or even a coastal cycle with afternoon beach time.

(Ask us about 1-3 more Days extension).

Day 7. ONWARD TRAVELS

Enjoy this beautiful seaside city with its superb food options, harbour, beaches and bars. A wonderful climate which is blessed with outstanding cycling.

Trip details

Tour Style

Self Guided

Bikes: Road

Route: Málaga – Costa Tropical – Granada & Sierra Nevada – Alhama – Málaga

Group Size: 2+ (Single traveller option available with supplement fee)

High Season (Semana Santa 2024 & June – Mid October) supplement – €125 p.p.

Riding Level

Challenging: distances are a daily average of 75km. Please note this is very hilly countryside with longer and steeper climbs. It is classed as Challenging due to these many ascents.

Accommodation

Luxury 4 Star City Hotels / Beautiful country Inn / Beach Hotel (see Lodgings Below)

All bedrooms en-suite

Food

6 breakfasts – buffet

Extras Included

Luggage delivered to your next hotel
Welcome meeting and introduction to the route and area
Emergency support and contact details – we are local
Tour pack and complimentary guide book /
Navigation by Phone App / GPX tracks provided if wanted
Details for places to stop for coffee/ lunch and sights to see
5% off your next tour with us!

Staff

1 driver will meet and greet in Málaga and provide daily luggage transfers. As we are based in Alhama de Granada / Granada / Málaga, we are never far away from offering advice and assistance.

Not Included

Good Quality Bike Hire

TREK Road Bike carbon frame (105 transmission): from €210 (upgrades avail)

Entrance to Alhambra Palace or museums en-route Massage treatments in Granada or Alhama / Hot bath experiences

Getting Here

Please see Getting Here for more information.

Málaga has an excellent fast link train service from Madrid (www.Renfe.com) and of course an International Airport with direct flights from the UK, throughout Europe, USA and Montreal Canada.

It also has a good bus system to anywhere in the country.

Guided Option

This tour is available as a fully supported and guided option if booking with a group of 4 or more. With a van as support, the tour can be custom designed and the daily distances changed. Please contact us for prices and availability.

Lodgings

Lovely hotels in Andalucia for your epic bike ride of Southern Spain

This Andalucian road bike tour is challenging, so you want to be in a comfortable place at night to relax those muscles. Thus the hotels are of an excellent quality, most with pools and give you a glimpse of southern Spain at its finest. Reflecting a regional style, we have a selection of Highlight Hotels (4 star city hotels, a beach hotel) and a boutique spot (smaller, family run place which is charming and historical).

Traditional Style hotel in Granada - Cycling Country Tours

Cycling White Villages Andalucia Fine Hotels

Reviews

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 .