camino de cuatro sierras
We’re creating a bike-packing route that connects and revitalizes a remote region steeped in history – and you’re invited!
Come and join us for a bikepacking journey that takes us off the beaten path of four mountains (Cautro Sierras) in Andalucía. This six-night gravel ride will take us to stunning views and traditional white villages, all while connecting the dots of some of our favourite climbs, descents, cafes, and local accommodations.
The Route
This 5-day bikepacking adventure connects the best gravel roads and picturesque traditional villages in Andalucía. We will cover 50-70 km per day – but don’t be fooled by the distance. These will be days full of climbing up and descending down some of the most impressive and remote mountain passes in the Sierra Nevada range.
Off the bike, we will enjoy tapas, coffee, cosy accommodation, and warm hospitality from our hosts who have endless stories to share. We will end each day with tired legs, but beautiful views and plenty of opportunities to unwind and connect with the vibrant culture of the traditional towns that can only be found in this unique area.
13 APRIL - 19 APRIL 2024
05 OCTOBER - 11 OCTOBER 2024
The Region
The Spanish Sierra Nevada (meaning mountain range covered in snow) is located in the region of Andalucía, a province of Granada. It boasts the highest point in continental Spain: Mulhacén 12,300 feet (3,749 metres) – and it’s home to a unique history with an allure that makes it the perfect bikepacking adventure.
This place is more than stunning views, a temperate climate, and world-class gravel – it’s home to a vibrant culture that echoes a long and varied history.
The route we create together will be a journey through a piece of Spain that has seemingly been untouched by time. With traffic-free roads, very little tourism and no chain-stores, we will be experiencing the real, un-filtered rural Andalucia – where old farmers still work the fields with an ox and plough, and livelihoods are tied to the land. The warm climate is perfectly suited to the growth of olives, almonds, and high altitude vineyards. And of course, the area's most well-known produce, Jámon (ham) cured in the village of Trevélez, where we spend a night of our tour.
One of the most iconic features of the region are the “white villages,” – traditional ‘berber’ architecture that is testament to the region’s area as the last stronghold of the Moors of Spain, providing an escape for those fleeing Granada during the Catholic Reconquista.
The main roads in the Alpujarras remained tracks until the 1950’s, and due to this historical lack of access, tourism has always been quiet. World-class gravel is easy to come by in this remote, traffic-free area – and between the challenging climbs and stunning descents, we’ll be steeped in the history and culture of this incredible region.
More recently, the region has seen an influx of foreigners – many free spirits from different backgrounds seeking an alternative kind of life. They echo the past of their Moorish predecessors, and contribute to the unique fabric that makes up this special place.
Why this route?
Cycling tourism has the potential to bring business to rural villages where the population is declining, and traditional ways of life are in danger of fading away. The places we will eat and sleep are family-run – built by people with incredible stories who can’t wait to welcome us and connect over a meal or a coffee.
The Sierra Nevada isn't just a backdrop; it's a living canvas. These towns may appear lost to time – but they are on the precipice of reinvention, and we get to be a part of it.
Our Home
We are based in Velez de Benaudalla, a town of about 3,000 people, nestled in a lush valley full of caves and hidden waterfalls. We’re an easy 40-minute drive from Granada, which makes us the perfect hub to start and end your bikepacking adventures in the Sierra Nevada. We’ll set up our bikes together at the local shop while chatting over a coffee, and take some time to explore our hometown.
Later, you might wander the narrow cobbled streets where Moorish origins are evident in our architecture, or explore Nasrid Castle and Gardens, another testament to our storied past. Starting and ending our ride here is all part of what makes this route so special: this home base is part of the fabric of traditional, rural and, authentic Andalusia – and our bikepacking tourism has the potential to make a continuous positive impact on local business, and the people that call this place home.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
Day 1 - Velez to Alqueria Morayma: 76km, 2386m
After you’ve settled into Velez de Benaudalla, our journey begins. We’ll climb out of the valley until we reach Lagos – a small village that's mostly deserted apart from a single bar, and a few remaining old folk. From there we venture off-road, a mixture of dirt road and single track until we come to the small village of Lujar, which is nestled on the side of the mountain of the same name. Here we stop at a small cafe bar run by a lovely Spanish woman, who will prepare some food and snacks for us.
After Lujar we continue descending on the asphalt road until we turn left onto the gravel climb up to Olías, another small deserted village higher in the mountains that will be a step back through time. After Olias we come to an asphalt road and climb to the highest point at 1300m, Haza del Lino. From here, we cycle along the ridge of the mountain until we come to Venta del Tarugo where we turn off for more gravel and a stunning descent into Cortijo el Medico Lobras or Alquería de Morayma where we'll spend the night at a hotel surrounded by organically cultivated vineyards and woodland that maintains the traditions of the local Alpujarreño lifestyle.
Day 2: Alqueria Morayma to Laroles : 55km, 1500m
On day two, we leave Alquería de Morayma and bypass Cadiar – a picturesque market town known for its charming streets, white-washed houses, and surroundings of terraced fields, almond and olive groves.
We’ll continue riding the gravel road to Jorairátar and descend along the valley to the river basin towards Alcolea, where we begin our ascent of the Sierra Nevada towards Paterna del Rio and then to Laroles – a lovely town with great camping options, as well as cosy hotels, cafes and bars.
Day 3 Laroles to Trevelez: 67km, 1900m
In Laroles, we’ll take a slow start after a bigger breakfast and stocking up on snacks, since this day is remote with nothing in the way of resupply options until the end of the day. We’ll be staying high up in the mountains, keeping an elevation of 1500m to 2000m. If it's overcast, expect temps to be somewhat cold in the fall.
We’ll spend the night in Trevélez – another charming village which holds the distinction of being one of the highest villages in Spain, sitting at around 1,476 meters. Our trip wouldn’t be complete without sampling the world-famous Jamón Ibérico (Iberian ham) – the finest cured ham in the country.
Day 4 Trevelez to Niguelas: 64km, 2072m
After our night in Trevelez, we head straight back up into the high mountains. This route is very similar to the previous day's, staying above 1500m on mostly gravel roads. It’s a tough day in the saddle, but the reward is worth it when we descend into Valle de Lecrín (Lecrín Valley). Here, we will stay at the Alqueria De Los Lentos – a rural hotel and restaurant with stunning vistas, incredible food, and a pool to cool off in.
Day 5 Niguelas to Velez: 66km, 962m
For our final day, we leave the Sierra Nevada side and pass over through the Lecrin Valley. We’ll pass by vineyards, olive and almond farms until we reach Albunuelas, where we'll stop at a local bar for some snacks before we head back into the mountains.
Next, we start out on our last climb of the week – one of our favourite climbs on a gravel road up to Cerro de la Ferosa. At the top of the pass, we’ll be able to see out to the Mediterranean Sea and back towards the Sierra Nevada mountains where we just spent our week. From here, we start descending all the way home to Velez, but we'll stop in Guajar Alto for some coffee and conversation before finishing up the incredible week in Velez.
Here, we will grab some beers, celebrate the week and say our goodbyes before everyone departs to their accommodations for the night, or transfers to Granada/Malaga.
THE ITINERARY
Saturday - Arrival in Velez de Benaudalla, Granada, Spain.
Sunday - Velez to Alqueria Morayma: 76km, 2386m
Monday - Alqueria Morayma to Laroles : 55km, 1500m
Tuesday - Laroles to Trevelez : 67km, 1900m
Wednesday - Trevelez to Niguelas: 64km, 2072m
Thursday - Niguelas to Velez: 66km, 962m
Friday - Departure from Velez de Benaudalla
6-night accommodation package 1500€ pps
6 nights accommodation
Luggage transfers between sites each day
5 fully guided rides with a backup vehicle
Breakfast, lunch and evening meals
Welcome pack with a premium CSN apparel, 2 x water bottles and musette
Daily bike upkeep by our mechanics
-Per Person Sharing is based on a party of two sharing a twin room
-Single Supplement for the accommodation package is an additional €250 per person
-Optional 6-day gravel bike hire - €185
-Optional Airport Transfers - from €100pp
-Meals (lunches, first and last night are excluded)
Logistic Details
For those of you who are flying, you can choose to fly into either Malaga, Almeria or Granada airports. Malaga is the largest and most preferred airport for collections.
Transfers from Malaga to Velez and return transfers to Malaga are arranged for the early morning on the following Friday. Transfers outside of these times must be arranged, confirmed beforehand and may be subject to an additional charge.
Please check www.alsa.es for the public bus times to Velez de Benaudalla.
There is also a train stations in both Malaga and Granada with connections to Madrid and Barcelona.
About the Project
This route-scouting tour will be led by the Cycle Sierra Nevada team along with Lynnee Jacks — a cyclist and community builder who is currently based in the Westfjords of Iceland.
Lynnee is passionate about utilizing cycling tourism as a tool for change in rural communities facing changing economies and population decline. Living in Iceland, she co-created the Arna Westfjords Way Challenge — an innovative endurance race centred around cultural connection and community. Building on the success of the event (now in its third year) she’s heading to Spain to help us explore the potential for a new route that brings together the Sierra Nevada region in a similar way.
This tour is the beginning of a brand new bikepacking route — one that will bring new life to traditional towns that have been “left behind” by urban life. By solidifying this route, we can keep their stories alive and grow a tourism economy rooted in the traditions of the people who call this place home.
