Frequently Asked Questions

Málaga (AGP). It has the most direct flights from the UK, Ireland and northern Europe, and it's where our group transfers run from. Granada (40 minutes) and Almería (about 70 minutes) work too, but transfers from there are arranged separately. Please don't book flights until we've confirmed your place.

1 hour by road with no traffic.

Yes, on all our camps. The group transfer leaves Málaga airport from 14:00 on Saturday, so aim to land by about 13:00. The return transfer gets you back to the airport by 8:00 or 11:00am the following Saturday, so book flights home from about midday. Transfers outside these times must be agreed beforehand and cost €50; if your flight means a long wait, a private transfer may suit you better. Bike-box transport is €25 per bike each way.

It’s not necessary to hire a car for your week’s holiday here, but if you’re coming with a partner and you want to have the freedom to explore the local area in the evenings then you should consider hiring a car.

Come out of arrivals but don't go outside. Turn left and go upstairs to departures, take the exit nearest Starbucks and turn right. Walk about 200 m with the short-stay car park on your left, and look for the small tobacco shop — our minivan will be nearby. Here's the spot on Google Maps and a short video of the walk.

Our camps run Saturday to Saturday. If you're planning your own trip, the minimum stay is three nights and you can arrive any day.

Every ride starts from our shop, and we adapt the routes to the weather and the group. On weekend camps, we pick the best of these for you. A typical week:

• Saturday (arrival): optional easy ride, about 75 minutes

• Sunday: 3–4 hours, 50–80 km, 1,400 m of climbing

• Monday: 4–5 hours, 65–85 km, 1,800 m

• Tuesday: 5 hours, 80–120 km, 2,400 m

• Wednesday: rest day, with an optional easy spin to the beach

• Thursday: 5 hours, 90–120 km, 2,400 m

• Friday: 3–4 hours, 60–80 km, 1,500 m

In terms of distance/elevation the rides range from 55km to 125km with 1200m to 2500m on the shortest/lonest day.

Usually 2.5–5.5 hours, leaving between 8 and 10am and back between 1 and 4pm

To participate in one of our camps a decent level of base fitness is required. The area where we are based is quite mountainous with lots of challenging climbs. Therefore, most days you will be constantly climbing or descending, you will require a reasonable level of fitness before you come to handle numerous days of riding on this terrain. Nonetheless, if you're used to tackling long rides on the weekends you shouldn't really have too much trouble here. It's our aim to cater to our guests needs. This may mean increasing or decreasing the length of the rides to suit the needs/capabilities of our guests. If you have any concerns regarding your suitability please feel free to contact us. The main aim of the week is to go away in better shape than you arrived in and hopefully have some fun whilst enjoying the warm sunshine of Southern Europe.

We also have light weight carbon e-bikes if you feel like you need a little assistance on the climbs.

No. Take a rest day, ride on your own, or go to the beach.

No. Book accommodation and a hire bike and ride our routes on your own — every route has a GPX file.

Your usual ride kit plus layers for cold mountain mornings (and lights for the tunnels), a helmet, which is a legal requirement in Spain, and your pedals and shoes if you're hiring. Our hire bikes don't come with a computer, so bring yours. Everything else is on our packing checklist.

The coast and the mountains can be very different, so check the AEMET forecasts for Motril (coast) and Trévelez (mountains) a day or two before you travel. If there's a weather warning for heavy rain, strong wind or storms, we'll change or cancel the ride. The roads here are notoriously slippery when wet, and we won't ride if it isn't safe.

Yes, a little. Most places take cards, but some village bars are still cash only.

Yes. We can arrange one with a local physiotherapist during your stay — just ask.

We refill at the fountains in the villages, which run with fresh mountain spring water, and stop at a café for coffee and toast. The shop stocks gels and bars.

Rent if you can. Our fleet is 150 BMC road, gravel and e-bikes with disc brakes and electronic shifting, and we set yours up with a free bike fit. Just bring your shoes and pedals (and your saddle, if you're attached to it).

None for a hire bike — our shop is fully stocked. If you bring your own bike, have it serviced before you travel.

Not as standard. You're liable for any damage, and for theft. You can add hire insurance from €40 a week — see bike hire insurance. We don't supply locks, but you can buy one in the shop.

In our secure storage at the shop, after every ride. Bikes don't go into the apartments, but bike boxes do.

Yes, two kinds: a guided gravel week from our base in Vélez, and the Cuatro Sierras, a point-to-point tour through the Alpujarras with a different village hotel each night.

Yes. We have about 40 BMC gravel bikes, set up with a free bike fit like our road bikes. All our Gravel bikes come with 48mm or 50mm tires and climbing ratio gears.

Remote and rough in places, with long climbs and loose descents. On the Cuatro Sierras, days are 55–76 km with 960–2,400 m of climbing. You'll enjoy it most if you're comfortable on loose surfaces and have the same base fitness as our road camps.

No. Your luggage moves between hotels by van each day, and a support vehicle backs up the rides. You only carry what you need for the day.

Yes. Our gravel week rides parts of the route through the Alpujarras and the Sierra Nevada. We're not the race organisers, but we're happy to help you recce it.

Yes. Hire a gravel bike and use our routes — Guájares Gravel and Ronda de Nigüelas both start from the shop and have GPX files.

Yes. On most weeks, more than half our guests are travelling solo.

Prices are per person sharing a twin room, mostly in two-bedroom apartments. A single room or a private apartment costs extra — see the camp page for prices.

Make breakfast in your apartment or head to one of the village bars. Guests usually meet up for dinner in Vélez, and our guides organise one or two optional group dinners at favourite spots on the coast during the week. We'll send our list of the best restaurants, tapas bars and bakeries before you arrive.

Most apartments have it, but it isn't guaranteed. The village bars and cafés have free WiFi.

A typical Andalucian village with a supermarket (Monday to Saturday, 9:00–14:00 and 17:00–20:30) and a small shop open on Sunday mornings, several bakeries — the longest-serving one still bakes its bread on site every day — cafés, restaurants and tapas bars. Everyting you need for a cycling week’s cycling camp.

Yes. The village is safe and friendly. There are walks straight from the village, like the Haza del Señor route up Sierra de Lújar and the old miners' route, the Jardín Nazarí gardens in the centre, and the coast, Granada and the Alpujarras are all close by.

10:00 on the day of departure.

Self-catering, with a fully equipped kitchen and a washing machine. The tap water is drinkable.

Complete the booking form and we will send a factura proforma. We take a booking deposit to confirm your place.
https://www.sierranevada.cc/book-confirm

Tell us in writing. More than 60 days before your trip, you lose only the deposit; within 60 days, 100% is due.

Yes. You need comprehensive travel insurance that covers organised cycling activities, in place before you arrive. EU riders should also bring an EHIC, and UK riders a GHIC.

Yes, for groups of five or more, we offer 5% discount.

Gratuities for our guides and staff are greatly appreciated. Our guides put a huge amount of time and effort into making your week enjoyable, and tips are divided amongst all staff. None of the gratuities go to management. If you feel the team has looked after you well, a gratuity at the end of the week is always very much appreciated.