Today you arrive in Almería, its incredibly mild climate will welcome you as you can walk around the city and stop in some of the many nice terraces and tapas bars before you start your bicycle adventure.
Challenge: Arrive to Almería
Villages along the way: Almería
Today, after getting your rental bikes in the morning, you will start a long coastal cycling path for 10 km / 6,2 mi to get familiar with your bikes on the flat while breathing the salty air. The fun starts close to Almeria airport, when you paddle alongside dark gravel beaches past Cabo de Gata village and Salt bassins in different colours. A first steep uphill section along a quiet tarmac road to reach Cabo de Gata light house and enter the Nature Park, then a second ascent, twice as long but necessary to get on top of the cliffs. The views across the deep blue see and riffs that make this coastline so special are fabulous. With the last downhill section you will reach the beach town of San José where you will stay 2 nights.
Challenge: 46 km / 28,5 mi, 400 m ascent
Villages along the way: Almería, Cabo de Gata, San José
A relatively short loop ride take takes you to the beach and viewpoint Morrón de los Genoveses along dusty gravel tracks across the cliff, then down to the beautiful beach of Monsul and return through the private estate Monsul. Take your picnic and swimming gear with you to spend part of the day at the beach.
Challenge: 17.5 km / 11 mi, 350 m ascent
Villages along the way: San José
Today you make a route along regional roads passing through Pozo de los Frailes.
After the beach of San Felipe you can visit the beautiful fishing village of Isleta de Moro. Back on route a quiet tarmac road will take you through two arid hills, until, suddenly, the “oasis” of Rodalquilar appears.
You can check in directly at your beautiful rural hotel or extend the route to the white beach of the turquoise cove of Rodalquilar or the coastal town of Las Negras, for lunch.
Challenge: 19 - 34 km / 11 - 21 mi, 500 / 725 m ascent
Villages along the way: San José, Rodalquilar, Las Negras
If you only do the loop ride west of Rodalquilar, a totally different and in origin volcanic landscape awaits, with old mining areas, isolated cortijos and the modern plastic landscape of greenhouses. The barren hinterland of Almería has served as film sets for numerous westerns, mostly so called ‘Spaghetti westerns' (made by Italian directors like Sergio Leone). In the village of Albaricoques you can walk in Clint Eastwoods’ footsteps as you cross the main street made up of low ‘mexican’ type adobe houses. Back in Rodalquilar after 22 km, you can decide to visit the beach and/or ride up to the Punta de la Polacra lighthouse (at 245m altitude) or just spend the afternoon around the pool.
Challenge: 22 - 37 km / 14 - 23 mi, 400 / 725 m ascent
Villages along the way: Rodalquilar, Albaricoques
Today, again, a very steep section at the start. But fortunately we can use a gravel track during part of the ascent and then enjoy the luxury of a long glide downhill, along the main road. In the old mining town Fernán Pérez, you can recharge at the local bar before you take a secondary road to Agua Amarga, mainly downhill.
Option of extending the route and cycle towards the Cala de Enmedio, a magnificent small beach. The path towards the beach can be sandy and you might have to push your bike through some parts.
At the end of the day your bikes will be picked up
Challenge: 34 - 25.5 km / 21 - 16 mi, 500 / 300 m ascent
Villages along the way: Rodalquilar, Agua Amarga
After breakfast your arrangement ends. You can travel back with the bikes to Almeria city or airport.
Small family hotels, set in beautiful white villages. All of them have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. Some of the hotels we work with appear here. If a certain hotel is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will request a similar one and inform you about the alternative booked.
Extra nights:
Extra nights can be booked at any of the accommodations along the way.
It is a modern and high quality hotel that offers a close and professional service to its guests right in the heart of the city of Almería. It has an ideal location to explore the main attractions of the city: the cathedral, the Alcazaba, the commercial and administrative centre, bars and restaurants, etc.
Hotel Doña Pakyta situated facing to the sea, watches every sunrise in the bay. Plenty of natural light and with the best views of San José, this building from 1,960 styled like a traditional Basque House has become, with its refurbishes, and has known how to adapt in the time without leaving its origin to get the XXI century.
Designed with innovative concepts in mind, Hotel Spa Rodalquilar offers a modern architectural style while maintaining Arabic and Andalusí influences. Luxurious details and unique services contribute to guests’ enjoyment and a chance to rest, relax and ….. DREAM
Situated in Agua Amarga, Hotel Las Calas is a small establishment in a quiet setting right by the beach, with traditional Mediterranean architecture, white-washed façades and wooden balconies. Breakfast is served on a fantastic terrace, surrounded by lush vegetation and a variety of native plants and trees.
Departure any day fo the week from: 1st February to 12th June (except Easter) and from 12rh September to 26th December
Nearest airports are Málaga (AGP), Almería (LEI), Granada (GRX) and Murcia (MJV)
Arriving in Almería
From Almería Airport (LEI) there are several urban buses to the city center
From Málaga Airport (AGP) there is a daily direct service and travel time is 3.5 hours. Please check timetables at www.alsa.es
From Granada city center there are several buses a day and travel time is 2 hours. Please check timetables at www.alsa.es
From Murcia Airport (MJV). From Murcia city there are several buses a day and travel time is 3.5 to 4.5 hours. Please check timetables at www.alsa.es
(*) Optional airport transfers can be reserved in advance.
Return from Almería
From Agua Amarga there is a transfer included to Almería.
From Almería city there are direct buses to the Almería Airport and Málaga Airport and buses to Murcia city.
(*) Optional airport transfers can be reserved in advance. Please enquire at the time of booking.
Rental bicycles include: helmet, bottle holder, repair kit, pump and lock.
MOUNTAIN BIKES (MBT) RENTAL
MOUNTAIN E-BIKES RENTAL
GPS tracks are available on request.
Included
Not Included
Extras
The circular route from Rodalquilar to Los Abaricoques was spectacular. The hire bikes were fantastic and ideal for the rough terrain.
Keith
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am – 6:00pm (CET)
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am – 6:00pm (CET)