Following your arrival into Malaga airport we’ll transfer as a group to our first hotel in Granada city centre.

Granada is almost unrivalled for its beauty, architecture, and dramatic setting at the foot of the imposing Sierra Nevada. With the Alhambra towering above it, it’s a truly unforgettable city and the perfect location to start our gravel adventure. If time allows, we recommend taking in the mosaic-tiled and landscaped gardens of the Alhambra, to discover the culture and history of Spain’s Moorish rulers and admire their exotic architectural legacy.

As evening arrives, we suggest taking in a Zambra flamenco show in Granada’s Roma quarter, Sacramonte, paired with some traditional tapas; one of the best ways to see the city and really take in its atmosphere.

Worth noting! We don’t include a visit to the Alhambra in the holiday cost, so to fully appreciate this magnificent building and the city itself, we recommend arriving a day or two early to take in the city.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1450 Metres Approx.

We’ll set out on our first ride past the Alhambra and Generalife, high above the Darro river. The views are magnificent across the Albycin and south to the towering Sierra Nevada.

We’ve got some great quality gravel tracks to enjoy this morning as we climb and contour into the wonderfully craggy, pine-clad Sierra de Huetor, before a long descent into the Aguas Bravas valley for our picnic lunch. Our local team will put together a delicious selection, full of local produce, as we relax next to the deep blue Embalse de Quentar.

Re-fuelled, some fast kms on asphalt will lead us to the climb of the day, on smooth trails taking us back into the Sierra.

Heading north the scenery changes, becoming more arid, as we begin to descend into the Hoyo de Guadix, characterised by huge clay cliffs and dramatic formations formed through millennia of erosion. The area, known as the ´Badlands´ was gifted to the moors after their ultimate defeat at the hands of the catholic kings, Isabel and Fernando in 1492, and was thought to be uninhabitable. They however, built cave houses, terraced and irrigated the land and still today many people of the area still live in the cave houses.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Ascent: 1140 Metres Approx.

The second day of our gravel adventure takes us climbing above a spectacular desert landscape, with snow-capped peaks rising in the distance. We’ll ride along ancient drovers’ roads on the northern slopes, winding through forest tracks, and crossing ravines filled with icy water. As we head north, the terrain opens up into wide, silent plateaus, where only the sound of tires on gravel breaks the stillness. In the afternoon, we’ll explore remote paths between hills, sculpted by wind and time, following age-old routes that once connected farmsteads and cultivated lands.

The day ends in a peaceful valley, where secluded accommodation, nestled in the heart of nature, awaits us. Traditional to this desert region, our comfy rooms tonight are located in renovated cave accommodation, the perfect setting for enjoying the stunning desert scenery and magical starry night skies.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1490 Metres Approx.

A good breakfast to start the day, as today’s stage is a long one. The route begins gently, with several easy kilometers and downhill stretches that ease the legs into the day while offering wide views toward the southern lowlands of Andalucía.

The terrain soon shifts into a dramatic, semi-arid landscape shaped by erosion and time. Around Gorafe, known for its megalithic park and striking geology, the surroundings become especially impressive, with sculpted formations and deep ravines.

The route continues across a remote plateau, following undulating trails. A steady climb begins as the path rises toward the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. As altitude increases, the landscape becomes more open and exposed, with dry riverbeds and rolling climbs defining much of the middle section.

In the final kilometers, the route ascends steadily toward the Sierra Nevada, where the air feels fresher and the scenery turns greener. A varied and rewarding stage, marked by contrasts and ever-changing views.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 690 Metres Approx.

Today, we head into the rugged terrain, following isolated trails. The route remains at a moderate altitude, with views of the Mediterranean to the south and mountain ranges stretching to the north. As we progress, we’ll pass through changing landscapes, offering a variety of scenic views. In the more technical sections, we’ll face some challenging areas that will test our handling skills, with smooth gravel terrain and a few more difficult stretches.

A long descent awaits, crossing eroded landscapes that display a wide range of colours, surrounded by rocks in deep orange tones.

Back in the lowlands, we’ll pass by film sets and meander through high-walled ramblas, before reaching a rest point for lunch. In the afternoon, a short but beautiful ride takes us deeper into the desert, where the arid landscape envelops us completely.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1500 Metres Approx.

The morning begins with easy pedal strokes, warming us up for the day ahead. We ride along quiet paths and sections of via verde, skirting the sierras and moving through increasingly arid landscapes. The terrain features short climbs and descents, with Mediterranean scrub, cactus, and agave lining the way, alongside agricultural areas with greenhouses growing tomatoes and peppers.

As we gain elevation, we enter the Sierra de Alhamilla Natural Park, where the landscape becomes more rugged. The trail winds through ravines and rocky formations, offering stunning views of the surrounding valleys. The remote paths create a sense of solitude and natural beauty.

The route alternates between sand-based tracks and asphalt, passing former mining areas with colorful, vibrant rock formations that showcase the region’s geological richness.

Finally, we reach Níjar, within the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. The terrain softens as we approach the coast, with the sea visible on the horizon. The last stretch flows along fast trails and gentle descents, offering a final glimpse of the volcanic landscape, the perfect place to pause and reflect on the day’s journey.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 870 Metres Approx.

The last day of our adventure is a true celebration of gravel riding, as we follow the coast and the contours of the sierras of Cabo de Gata.

Passing inviting coves along silky smooth sandy tracks, we’ll ride through cactus and huge agave plantations, passing landscapes used in film production.

The trails are simply magnificent, passing interesting rock formations, white sands, with the deep blue Mediterranean always in view on our left. After the Cabo de Gata lighthouse, the trail drops down to sea level, and, hugging the lagoon of the same name, we are likely to see flamingos, with their heads buried deep in the sand.

The final kilometers, along sandy trails by the coast, lead us to San José, a charming coastal village surrounded by volcanic hills – the perfect place to celebrate the end of our Badlands gravel adventure.

• Meals: Breakfast

After a relaxing breakfast it’s time to pack those bags one last time and head to Malaga airport for flights home.