Welcome to Hooked on Cycling and our cycling holiday in Andalucia. This biking vacation in Andalusia is a beautiful circular loop in rural Spain but also allows you the chance to spend time in Granada and visit the historic city and old town and if you wish the Alhambra Palace. This tour is available as a self guided cycle tour. Your start location is Alhama de Granada an ancient Moorish settlement situated half way between Granada and Malaga in the Poniente Granadino region of Granada. Surrounded by picturesque mountains and lakes, and built on the edge of a huge gorge, Alhama has many traditional bars and restaurants and is the perfect base to start your cycling holiday.

Available on any day March to November
Level 2-3 self guided tour

Day 1 Alhama de Granada
Arrive at either Granada or Malaga airport, where you can be picked up and transported to the historic town of Alhama de Granada. If you decide to make your own way coaches are available from Malaga  and Granada. Your accommodation here is ‘Casasola’, a traditional Spanish hostal with original wine cellars (bodegas). It is beautifully maintained and professionally run, whilst still having that feel of a friendly family run hostal.

Day 2 Lakeland loop 28 miles 45km
Our first ride takes us on a circuit of ‘Pantano de Los Bermejales’, a man made reservoir surrounded by five old villages. The route is 45km long, undulating with steady climbs and descents. The road surface is extremely good tar macadam and has stunning scenery.

Day 3  Monte Frio & Washington Irving 30 miles 50km
Leaving Alhama town centre travelling towards Santa Cruz del Comercio. A steady climb takes us above Alhama on a well-surfaced road with great views of the Sierra Tejeda Mountains. Then a long steady descent to the village of Santa Cruz. Through the village heading towards the neighbouring villages of Valenzuela and Buena Vista on the way to Moraleda de Zafayona. This is part of the original Washington Irving trail. Bars and cafes here for refreshments.  Continuing towards Monte Frio via Tocon and Bracan, culminating with a climb which peaks 2km before Monte Frio.  A 50km ride in total with two climbs and long rolling descents. Accommodation here in the hotel La Enrea.  Monte Frio is the stunning last frontier of the Moorish Empire.

IDEA: Take a extra night in Montefrio and explore the ancient city an your leisure as a rest day. Montefrio was the last 'Frontier' of the Moorish kingdom to fall before Granada itself. It's high rock positions shows why. There are ancient burial tombs at the entrance to the castle . In the town is a lovely church with a single unsupported domed roof, one of only two in the world as big. Montefrio exports it's vrgin olive oil all over the world and it is famous for it's sheep's cheese.

Day 4 Monte Frio to Granada 30 miles 50km
Climbing out of the town following the signs for Illora. A short, steep climb (2km) followed by amazing rolling descent through Puerto Lope and Pinos Puente to Granada. A 48km ride mostly downhill on good road surfaces.  Staying in the heart of this ancient city close to all the monuments and shops

Day 5 Granada & La Alhambra.
A day to relax and see the sights of Granada and the not to be missed ‘La Alhambra’ the city and palaces of the great Moorish kings. Enjoy the city and take the opportunity to eat in one of it’s many traditional restaurants.

Day 6 Granada to Alhama 30 miles 49km
Leaving the Granada area, we travel back to Alhama via Huerta del Sello, Cullar Vega, Las Gabias, La Malaha, Ventas de Huelma, Agron and finally Pantano de Los Bermejales on the way back to Alhama de Granada. Lots of towns on the way for stops, stunning views of three mountain ranges and Lake Bermejales from the highest point of the week at 1130m. A 49km ride on good surfaces.

Day 7 La Alcaiceria & Parque Natural or Not! 23 miles 36km
A circular route from Alhama, passing through Ventas de Zafarraya via the Parque Natural back to Alhama. The route has many features such as; mountain views, a private bull ring and a final ride through the Parque Natural de Alhama finishing at the end of the gorge. A good tarmac surface to start, finishing on good country tracks. Bars in Ventas, and a hotel at the entrance to the Natural Park for refreshments and stops.  A 36km ride on good road surfaces. Or have your last day relaxing in thermal waters of Alhama at the Balneario

Day 8 Travel home via chosen airport.

Standard accommodation: Subject to change
Casa de la Sonrisa : ALHAMA DE GRANADA
Montefrio - La Enrea
Granada - Hotel Reina Ana Maria

2012 Prices

How to get there:
By plane to Granada, Malaga and then transfer by coach to Alhama or request a private transfer.

Private transfers Granada airport to tour     £75 ( 1-4 persons )
Private transfers Malaga airport to tour      £160 ( 1-4 persons )

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