Tours

Summary

Our guided Murcia to Malaga Tour explores the best of South East Spain with an array of natural parks.  Murcia and Andalusia are incredibly varied regions with each day’s cycling following a different theme. 

We start our journey with a pilgrimage to the holy city of Caravaca from the stunning Sierra Espuna Natural Park. We continue our ride through rural Spain into the Andalusia region.  The challenge of the longest day’s ride is rewarded by staying in the most picturesque Sierra Magina Natural park.

We then step back in time and head to Guadix where we stay in cave-dwellings for which the town is famous.  Visiting the city of Granada offers history, culture and spectacle.  Continuing our journey we embrace nature and relaxation in the spa town of Alhama de Granada. 

The final descent through the Montes de Malaga Natural Park makes for an exhilarating end to the tour as the coast comes fully into view.

Tour Profile - What's Included?

Suitability

Level 2 - Moderate 

Duration

8-night/9-day

Airport Transfers

Scheduled airport transfers from Murcia/to Malaga

Accommodation

3/4* Half Board 

Rides

Guided rides - Typically 80-120km/per day with up to 1000m of climbing

Baggage Support

Our support vehicle will take the strain by moving your bags between locations

Pro-style Support

The Etiquette Cycling team with support vehicle are on hand to ensure you can just ride, rest and relax

Additional

Off the bike support

Tour Itinerary - Summary

Route

Activities

Meet at Murcia Airport 

30 minute support vehicle transfer to Sierra Espuna Natural Park.  Bike set up and welcome briefing.  Evening free to relax, and get to know your fellow riders.

Pilgrimage to Caravaca

Sierra Espuna to Caravaca de La Cruz: 

89km (+1682m/-1468m

The day’s ride takes in 2 of the most interesting highlights of the Murcia Region.  Starting out in the stunning Sierra Espuna park we’ll start our pilgrimage with a steady climb up to the Mirador de Collado de Bermejo. 

From the viewpoint you’ll be able to look West and marvel at the terrain we’ll be covering in the coming days.  We’ll then descend to and take our next rest stop in the town of Aledo.

The second part of the day’s ride heads North West over easy terrain towards the holy city of Caravaca de La Cruz.

Rural Spain

Caravaca de La Cruz to Fatima:

108kms (+1324m/-828m)

Today’s ride heads west into truly rural Spain crossing from Murcia into Andalusia.  We’ll pass through quaint villages on smooth and quiet roads. 

The Sierra de Cabra and Sierra de Castril Natural Parks provide an excellent backdrop to the day’s riding.

 Challenge and Reward 

Fatima to Torres-Jaen:

105 km (+2000m/-2018m)

Today provides the longest day on the bike with one or two challenges along the way.  The route travels into the Jaen province which contains four Natural Parks.  We start the day with a descent into the town of Castril then continue South West following the Southern edge of the Parque Natural Sierra de Castril.

The ride concludes with a rewarding climb in the most picturesque Sierra Magina Natural Park followed by a chance to enjoy the hotel pool (looking out over the valley).  The Jaen province enjoys the accolade of being the largest producer of olive oil in the world and as such the days ride passes plenty of olive groves.

Step back in Time

Torres-Jaen to Guadix: 

104km (+1545m/-1727m)

The morning ride starts with a gentle loop around the Park Sierra de Magina, towards Guadahortuna our planned lunchtime stop.  The town is full of history and located on the banks of river Guadahortuna. 

After the lunch stop we head south towards Guadix our destination for today.  As we approach Guadix, we step back in time to encounter the unique cave-dwellings which provide our accommodation for this evening.

History, Culture and Spectacle 

Guadix to Granada:

56km (+794m /-1025m

We undertake a relatively short morning ride heading east towards Granada our destination for today.  We follow undulating roads, passing the village of La Peza, an old Roman campsite which was an important Muslim fortress, of which there are only remains.  The impressive Sierra Nevada National Park comes into view as we approach Granada.The scheduled arrival on the outskirts of Granada, arriving in time for lunch, provides a few afternoon options:

A rest afternoon to explore Granada (the old town and/or the Alhambra Palace)

To climb the famed Sierra Nevada mountain (Out and back:  65km (+2000m / -2000m)

Enjoy the facilities of this larger hotel

Nature and Relaxation

Granada to Alhama de Granada:

63km (+960m/-757m

Another easier day on the bike takes us out of Granada towards the Embalse de la Vinuela (reservoir), a natural environment which attracts a variety of bird species.  A lunchtime village stop at Arenas del Rey, located near the reservoir is followed by an afternoon’s riding towards our destination for the day, Alhama de Granada.

The Final Descent

Alhama de Granada to Malaga:

90km (+1424m/-2302m)

The last cycling day heads towards n.the Natural park, Montes de Malaga.  This park occupies the eastern slopes of the Guadalmedia River basin which has in the past contributed to the flooding of Malaga.  The park thrills with a sweeping descent into the outskirts of Malaga, our final destination.

Scheduled Transfer to Malaga airport

Fond farewell, hopefully see you next year...