Mountain Bike Holidays in Andalucia, Spain
Enjoy great mountain biking excursions on holiday in Spain.
We
offer you the choice of either straight forward mountain bike hire for exploring on
your
own, using our fully researched & mapped mountain bike routes or our
exciting mountain bike day excursions. Please NB there is a
minimum
height required for the bikes - see Activity Requirements / Notes below ffi.
Mountain Bike Ridge Route
The ridge route starts from our drop off at around 280m alt, and is then a straight ride over the ridge on well defined trails, passing through avocado & mango groves with spectacular views over the white villages. At the end of the ridge (approx 5km) you have various choices such as exploring Aerial Hill with its views from around 600m over the sea and coastal watchtowers, dropping down to neighbouring villages to sight see, returning via road (downhill all the way !) or returning via the neighbouring coastal town of Salobreña, with its Moorish castle and narrow streets. Suitable for experienced riders only - Min no 2px. Picnic lunch included. See Jacob's video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnguY9Ta7ZY
Local Area and Beaches Exploration
For less experienced riders we spend a relaxing half day exploring the neighbouring tropical fruit fields and surrounding country side, before heading back to the coast. We then cruise the length of bay to see all the various beaches and coves. The route will be well paved and tailored to both the group's abilities and the temperature on the day. We provide rucksacks for your swimming gear and towels, as well as snorkels and masks for everyone's use if we stop for a swim. Snack pack included and we also usually stop for tapas, ice creams, etc en route as well. Suitable for all cyclists. Snack pack included.
Sierra Almijarra Natural Park Mountain Bike Ride
This
is a great ride, where we take you and the bikes up your drop off at
the edges of the park at an
altitude of 1200m above sea level. The scenery is absolutely
breathtaking and we often see Cabra Montes (Mountain Goats) and
eagles circling the peaks. You then descend on (initially
graded) forest tracks through the park passing through a typical white village where
we can stop for refreshments & tapas. From here we can take a road
down through the pines, or go off road again through the Nispora &
Avocado orchards, before returning back either via road
or by diving down into Rio Verde to follow
the river course back.
Approx 23km - and pretty well all of it is downhill! Suitable for all regular cyclists. Picnic lunch included.
Peña Escrita Nature Park Mountain Bike Ride
This is a great run as it
is just over 16km on surfaced road, in which we transport you and
your bike up to the natural park at an altitude of 1165m above sea level.
Dropping off near one of the parks restaurants, you then have ample time to
explore the marked trails around the reserve, before making your way down
through the various exhibits. There is fabulous swimming pool up there
as well (open in August).
The ride back home is predominantly down hill all the way, with simply stunning views over the coastal plain to the Mediterranean opening up around each corner. On this trip you will descend from the high points of scrub and pine, then pass through zones of almond, olive & grape, before arriving back in the Tropical Valley with it's fields of mango & avocado. Definitely one to take a camera on as the scenery is truly spectacular. And, best of all, it's pretty well down hill all the way - unless, of course, you choose to cycle up first (as the local cycle club do for training!). Paved surface which is steep at the very top, but suitable for most abilities who are regular cyclists so appropriate for “family riders”. 16 – 23km.
Self guided mountain bike routes
We also have a good choice of local self guided mountain bike routes
suitable
for most abilities, using our extensively researched
route packs
which contain all the information on both the route, as well as the points
of interest you will pass, to guarantee you a first class days cycling.
Due to the nature of the local terrain in this part of Spain we can offer a choice of easy flat local rides along the dry river beds and coastal plain, or more challenging bike excursions into the local hills along established cross country routes. Our popular Ridge Route for has various loops between 9 and 15km, or a return all downhill via tarmac, with stunning views over the white villages and the bright blue sea, from a high point of some 600m altitude.
You will see the Pueblos Blancos (white villages) that cling like sugar cubes to the hill sides, with stunning views over the coastal plain from Motril in the east to Punta de la Mona in the west. You will be able to cycle through fields of chirimoya, mango and avocado on the lower valley floor and surrounding country side, or follow ancient dry river beds past Roman aqueducts to explore the outlying white villages.
Many
routes will take you
through the very heart of the local farming community, allowing you a unique
opportunity to see first hand techniques which have not changed in Spain for
centuries, where farmers still use the mule as a form of transport and
water is still distributed by the extensive network of acequias built by the
Moors when they controlled Andalucia.
Or you could simply choose to hug the coastline and explore typical Andalucia coastal towns like Salobreña or La Herradura. Whichever route you choose to follow you are guaranteed to see the very best of Spain.
The mountain bikes
Unlike some budget mountain bike holidays we don't provide cheapo steel bikes. We use primarily Specialized as our supplier of mountain bikes here in Spain, as they have proven performance and reliability as a world renowned manufacturer. This season we are running a fleet of Hardrock Sport mountain bikes. These are an excellent hard tail mountain bike for this kind of territory, with a proven pedigree. We have a range of frame sizes and all bikes are fully serviced before your arrival.
We also have a couple of hybrid tourers available (Dawes & Gary Fisher) fitted with panniers for those who wish to explore by road - just ask for a packed lunch and off you go!
What's included?
The following are included in this activity:
- Transport to start location
- Safety helmet
- MTB / cycling gloves
- All route notes / maps as necessary
- Illustrated Points of Interest notes
- Transport back from finish location
NB Pedals: We leave the stock flatties on our bikes as we have found problems with worn cleats v. worn pedals etc etc. Bring your own SPDs, Egg Beaters or whatever as well as your shoes and we will fit them - then you are sure everything is going to work just like at home.
Mountain Bike Activity Requirements / Notes
Age limit: None for general cycling, but we would advise parental discretion on the longer off road routes for younger children especially in summer
Frame sizes: We have frame sizes to suit most
adults from 5' 6" 29" inside leg (1.68m 74cm inside leg) upwards, and
limited frames 5' 0" 27" inside leg (1.55m 69cm inside leg)
Helmet hire included
We recommend the wearing of suitable eye protection against flying insects
This activity appears in the following:
Summer season activity holiday weeks - Mixed Summer Activity Holiday Weeks
Winter season activity holiday weeks - Winter Season Activity Holiday Weeks
Extra & Optional Activities - All available for free days & evenings - or build your own itinerary
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