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
