The Vuelta de Andalucía

Bespoke VIP Active Holidays

WALKING & CYCLING HOLIDAYS

You will start your trip from the coast near Malaga, winding your way among the orange groves, and up through the rolling hills covered in sun soaked olive trees.

While passing through the many ancient sleepy towns and villages, all with there own unique stunning view. You will realise what a pleasure it is to find such places, some of which you may not have heard of. Andalucía is often referred to as the fruit basket of Europe by many Spaniards, due to its wide variety grown in the region.

The Route

Pizarra – Antequera

Pizarra is a town and municipality in the centre of the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain.

Leaving our first hotel, we will pass through Pizarra and start our journey to Antequera following parts of the Rio Guadalhorce and many of the old roads that link up the market towns along the route, including Álora and Valle de Abdalajis, before we arriving in Antequera.

Antequera is known for its ancient burial mounds and the Alcazaba of Antequera, which is a centuries-old Moorish fortress. The vast nature preserve of Torcal de Antequera has dramatic limestone tower rock formations and, overlooking the town, Peña de los Enamorados is a distinctive face-shaped mountain, which we will be able to see as we approach from the west of the city on our bikes.

Distance: 56 kms

Terrain: Road undulating

Estimated time: 3-4 hrs (with 2-3 stops during the day)

Antequera – Granada

Today’s route will take us through many small market villages, among them Loja and Huetor Tajar.

Loja, situated at the western limit of the province of Granada, is surrounded by the so-called Sierra de Loja, of which the highest peak, Sierra Gorda, stands 1,671 metres above sea-level. Loja was fought over for many years by the Moors and the Christians. Isabella I of Castile once called it the "flower among thorns”.

There are some lovely Tapas bars and rolling roads which offer some stunning vistas as we cycle in this part of Andalusia.

A few kilometres further on our journey is Huétor Tájar, situated 43 km west of the city of Granada. Huétor-Tájar lies within the fertile Genil river valley and its main source of income is from asparagus. It’s a very quiet village and often where we stop for the evening.

Distance: 80 kms

Terrain: Road undulating

Estimated time: 5 hrs (2-3 stops along the route and lunch)

Granada - Alhambra Visit

Granada is the capital city of the province of Granada, in Andalusia. It is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains and at the confluence of four rivers; the Darro, the Genil, the Monachil and the Beiro. The city sits at an average elevation of 738 m (2,421 ft) above sea level, yet is only one hour by car from the Mediterranean coast.

It is very close to the Sierra Nevada Ski Station, an incredibly beautiful place to cycle. We often cycle up and through the Monachil or Pinos Genil areas but this is weather dependant and we are dictated to by the high mountains and micro climate above.

Granada has a rich and turbulent history and is the location of one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and also one of the most popular tourist sites in Spain, namely The Alhambra, a medieval Nasrid citadel and palace. Islamic-period influences and Moorish architecture are visible in the Albaicín neighborhood.

It is our pleasure to offer the Alhambra Palace guided tour as part of your experience in Granada.

Distance: 28.9 kms

Terrain: Road climbing (Altitude 2,600m)

Estimated time: 2.5 -4 hrs

Guadix

We shall spend almost two days here and in the surrounding area. Guadix has evidence of being a ham settlement going back to at least the Bronze Age. Guadix was famous for its cutlery and trade of wool, cotton, flax, corn and liqueurs and is now a centre of production for fruit, cereals and vegetables.It also has a famous literary connection with the novelist Pedro Antonio de Alarcón.

The warm mineral springs of Cortes y Graena, commonly frequented during the summer, are located approximately 10 kilometres west of Guadix.The Hoya Basin has been subject to erosion due to the presence of small rivers in the surrounding elevations, which have given the area its characteristic landscape of gullies and badlands. As a result, this area is one of the least known but most stunning vistas at any time of the day. While meandering along on your bike you can take in these seldom seen views, from the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada (3500 M), to the desert like plains in front of you or lush vegetation and agriculture.

Distance: 62.7 kms

Terrain: Road undulating

Estimated time: 4:30 hrs

Caminito de Rey & Alora

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. The walkway was constructed in the early 20th century to provide workers at the hydroelectric power plants at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls with a means to cross, to provide transport for materials and to help facilitate inspection and maintenance. King Alfonso XIII crossed the walkway in 1921 for its inauguration and it became known by its present name. We believe this is a must see before you leave us, so we will guide you along the stunning walkway with views and scenes every few minutes that will take your breath away.

The nearest town to El Caminito is Álora which is located some 40 km from Málaga, on the bank of the river Guadalhorce and on the Córdoba-Málaga railway line. It is a typical ‘pueblo blanco’, a whitewashed village nestled between rocky spurs topped by the ruins of a castle, we can cycle around and up to El Caminito de Rey on the last day, time permitting of course.

Distance: 4.5 kms walking

Terrain: Path/Gravel/Stairs/Tarmac

Estimated time: 2:30 hrs