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Explore the Betic Mountains on two wheels – Altravesur

Cadiz-Turismo (CC BY 2.0)

Explore the Betic Mountains on two wheels – Altravesur

Bike Touring Collection by Ana Carmen

21

days

4-8 h

/ day

825 mi

81,125 ft

81,025 ft

The calm of the Mediterranean Sea, wild high mountain scenery, welcoming villages, amazing waterfalls, steep slopes, turquoise lakes, the highest peaks of the Iberian Peninsula, the sounds of nature, local cuisine, the people... There are countless reasons why the Collection that I present to you here will awaken your adventurous spirit.

Starting in the south of Spain, Altravesur is an ambitious, epic adventure that crosses three autonomous communities – Andalusia, Castilla La Mancha, and Valencia. You explore the sierras, natural parks, and the most rugged mountain massifs between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea in 21 stages.

At first glance, you may be familiar with the route, as it follows in the shadow of the famous GR 7, which has inspired other popular adventures like the TransAndalus, the Transnevada, or the Ruta del Quijote.

The charismatic city of Cádiz is the starting point, and you finish in Valencia, the land of flowers and Fallas, after 1,327 kilometres (4,354 ft). Both cities have public transport so you can easily travel to the route. Whether you arrive by train or bus, make sure you book in advance to avoid last-minute surprises, especially when transporting your bike.

On this journey, you accumulate 25,000 metres (82,000 ft) of positive altitude gain. You cycle on narrow paths that sometimes require technical riding skills and you have to carry enough supplies to spend several days immersed in the mountains and away from civilisation, which means carrying more weight than usual. In addition, I recommend packing your tent and sleeping bag so that you can stay under the stars when you get the chance. The vast majority of stages end in towns where accommodation is available, but make sure you book in advance.

To make the most of this route, you need to be relatively fit and have previous cycle touring experience. In any case, you can modify the itinerary and adjust it to your needs.

Due to the diversity of terrain, a mountain or gravel bike with wide tyres and decent tread is ideal. If you have any issues with your bike en route, you’ll find bike shops in several towns that can give you a hand.

The best time to embark on this trip is spring or autumn, when the temperatures are most pleasant and the colours are most vibrant. The region gets very hot in summer, and in winter you may encounter snow on some of the mountain massifs. However, you can still ride in winter with the right gear or avoid the hottest part of the day in summer.

All that's left is the most important thing: pack your panniers and have a good trip – the Altravesur is waiting for you!

On The Map

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Las cordilleras Béticas sobre ruedas — Altravesur

824 mi

81,550 ft

81,525 ft

Last updated: July 26, 2023

Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.

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Tours

  1. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

    Stage 1: Cádiz to Barbate – Altravesur

    05:45
    46.3 mi
    8.0 mph
    1,400 ft
    1,375 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.

    Start this adventure in Cádiz, a charming city located in the southwest of the peninsula on the shores of the Atlantic. I invite you to walk through its narrow streets that make anyone fall in love. If you feel like discovering some of the jewels of this city, you can visit the cathedral of Cádiz which

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  2. 05:51
    50.7 mi
    8.7 mph
    2,875 ft
    2,850 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This is the southernmost journey in the Collection. It passes very close to Tarifa, the kitesurfing paradise. If you feel like visiting it, you can take the CA – 9210 highway.

    The first kilometers of this stage you ride next to the sea, the perfect warm-up for what lies ahead. The route deviates from

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  4. 06:41
    45.9 mi
    6.9 mph
    4,750 ft
    3,775 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This stage accumulates a total of 1,470 meters of positive elevation gain, the largest to date. You have the privilege of continuing through the Los Alcornocales natural park heading north towards the Sierra de Grazalema natural park. At all times you are surrounded by the most beautiful nature that

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  5. 04:41
    30.3 mi
    6.5 mph
    4,100 ft
    2,750 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

    The day begins with a steep climb of about 12 kilometers. You face hills of up to 18% incline. Without a doubt, you are going to test your resilience on the bike. Of course, the views you get as you ascend to the mountains are incredible, so I invite you to stop at one of the viewpoints and enjoy the

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  6. 04:12
    28.5 mi
    6.8 mph
    3,100 ft
    4,150 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Before starting your day, make sure you take enough food and especially water, since you are going into the mountains and you will not pass through any town until kilometer 27. You will find sources, but they are not suitable for consumption. Take the opportunity to cool off a bit.

    In

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  7. 05:16
    29.9 mi
    5.7 mph
    4,550 ft
    4,225 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This stage continues navigating the mountains of Malaga and you pass through two towns: El Chorro at kilometer 16 and Valle de Abdalajís at kilometer 27. In both you can easily get supplies. As in the previous stage, you will find sources along the way that serve to refresh you, but the water is not

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  8. 06:25
    37.0 mi
    5.8 mph
    5,600 ft
    4,300 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

    The day begins by heading towards the foothills of the Torcal de Antequera natural area, one of the most famous attractions in the area. It is a karstic landscape of fantastic limestone formations sculpted by water throughout history. Without a doubt, it is a very special place to visit.

    At kilometer

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  9. 05:33
    33.3 mi
    6.0 mph
    3,650 ft
    3,675 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This stage runs between the mountains of La Loja and that of Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama. Despite not pedaling through the highest peaks, you accumulate 1,110 meters of positive elevation gain throughout the day and you come across several steep climbs that give you beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding

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  10. 08:04
    41.3 mi
    5.1 mph
    6,950 ft
    4,850 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

    With a total of 2,120 meters of accumulated positive elevation gain, this is the hardest stage of the Collection. Of course, you will be able to enjoy panoramic views of a movie and find numerous corners to rest and enjoy a nature that leaves you speechless.

    The first kilometers of the Route you pedal

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  11. 05:10
    29.3 mi
    5.7 mph
    4,550 ft
    4,525 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.

    Today you have the privilege of navigating the slopes of the mountains very close to the highest peak of the peninsula, the Mulhacén. Fill your saddlebags with food and water because you will surely find a special corner to rest with first-class views.

    The day begins with a nice ride that takes you to

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  12. 06:24
    32.8 mi
    5.1 mph
    4,975 ft
    4,050 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This stage does not go through any town, so check your saddlebags to make sure you have enough supplies for this day and part of stage 12. You will not go through any town until kilometer 32 of the following day. However, you can always make a detour to the towns that are to the south of the route. The

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  13. 05:50
    35.9 mi
    6.2 mph
    3,125 ft
    4,375 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.

    The route of this stage takes you to cross the Sierra Nevada from south to north between peaks over 2000 meters high. Enjoy the abundant vegetation and the spectacular mosaic created by the immense mountains that surround you because at the end of the day a completely different panorama awaits you.

    The

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  14. 05:14
    31.6 mi
    6.0 mph
    2,975 ft
    4,750 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This stage takes you into the heart of the Sierra de Baza and leaves you without a trace of civilization until the final destination of the day. I recommend that you fill your water bottles and prepare a snack to avoid unforeseen events. You will surely find fantastic views where you can stop to rest

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  15. 05:44
    42.5 mi
    7.4 mph
    3,825 ft
    3,400 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This stage runs through the northern part of the Sierra de Baza along compacted earth tracks and paved roads until it reaches the Negratín reservoir. In this section you will notice how the panorama becomes arid due to the influence of the Gorafe desert that is to the west of the route. I invite you

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  16. 05:31
    28.5 mi
    5.2 mph
    3,775 ft
    1,550 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

    You face a very special day. The tour takes you into the heart of the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, a wonderful natural environment made up of important river sources, waterfalls, ravines, gigantic mountains and surprising fauna.

    The route begins following the shore of the Bolera

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  17. 07:32
    45.8 mi
    6.1 mph
    4,650 ft
    7,450 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.

    This stage follows part of the route of the GR 247 and shares some paths of the Transandalus. So don't be surprised if you find more adventurers plowing through these lands so popular for nature sports.

    The day begins with a gentle pedaling through the altiplano that later descends to the source of the

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  18. 06:08
    39.7 mi
    6.5 mph
    5,100 ft
    4,675 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This day covers the last kilometers of the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas and takes you into the Calares del Mundo y de la Sima Natural Park, a mountainous massif full of karstic erosions that will leave you speechless.

    At kilometer 17.5 you can take the GR 66.2 detour of the Calar del Mundo

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  19. 05:13
    51.1 mi
    9.8 mph
    1,400 ft
    2,375 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

    From the first pedal strokes you feel that the scenario has completely changed. You are no longer surrounded by high mountains, but you are on the Vía Verde de Alcaraz surrounded by hills and cultivated fields, a different landscape with a special attraction.

    The first 12 kilometers lead you towards

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  20. 04:43
    40.0 mi
    8.5 mph
    1,600 ft
    2,125 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

    The stage begins with a pleasant pedaling through the La Mancha plateau where the bike path is your guide to Valdeganga. In this small town you can load your food bags, since the rest of the Route passes through very small towns where it can be more difficult to find food.

    Before going down to the banks

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  21. 06:35
    44.1 mi
    6.7 mph
    3,900 ft
    4,375 ft
    Expert
    Expert gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.

    The stage begins with a pleasant pedaling through the La Mancha plateau where the bike path is your guide to Valdeganga. In this small town you can load your food bags, since the rest of the Route passes through very small towns where it can be more difficult to find food.

    Before going down to the banks

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Collection Stats

  • Tours
    21
  • Distance
    825 mi
  • Duration
    123:17 h
  • Elevation
    81,125 ft81,025 ft

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