Quiet Paths

Cycle Tranquil Rural Andalucían Countryside
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Granada, Alhama de Granada, Montefrio, Granada

5 days − Self Guided

4* Hotels & Boutique Inns

From

€ 755

Enjoy in this Andalucian bike tour, cycling the peaceful, rural countryside of Alhama and MontefrÍo, home of quiet mountains, grazing sheep and find solace in the great gardens of the Alhambra Palace in Granada. A nature lover’s paradise mixed with some lovely accommodation and great mixed ride options, including cycling Pico de Veleta, Europe’s highest road!

This is Quintessential Andalucía!

Cycling Country is proud to present this tour to you in all its finest as it is where our home base is and where we love to live and cycle!  Bike past Roman thermal waters, Arabic baths, wide open skies, curving roads past tranquil olive groves, shepherds guiding flocks and into quiet town centres where residents stroll in late afternoon sun, gathering on benches to discuss the day’s events. And what better way to enjoy this break than cycle to the classic city of Granada to visit her alluring palaces, cathedrals and walkways.  For the cyclist it offers enough challenge with its hilly landscape but quiet roads.  The vistas from the bike here are some of the most attractive in the region of Andalucia and quite undiscovered by mass tourism.

A lovely thoroughly Spanish area to explore on bicycle.

Dates

15 Feb 2024 to 30 Nov 2024

15 Feb 2025 to 30 Nov 2025

%

Riding Level

Moderate with
Longer Hills

60KM Daily Average

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Explore Royal Moorish Granada, her Alhambra Palace & Snowy Sierra Nevada
  • Discover true inland Andalucia – Alhama de Granada and its Gorge and Roman bridge
  • See the Church of Encarnación masterpiece in Montefrío
  • Stay in charming rural retreats & historical lodgings
  • Stunning Rural scenes through Lakes, Valleys and Mountains
  • Try Local food – Río Frío trout, Arabic pastries, Goat’s and sheep’s cheese, Asparagus, Olives (fine olive oil) and Cured hams.

CC Advantage

Alhama is our Home Town and We are Proud to Show it to You!

A delightful route for the A to B orientated Cycle Tourist!

This is our area and we love these roads and hope you do too and have spent 18 years perfecting this route.

This tour supports local businesses! Love Local!

Fiesta Time in Andalucia 

We had a wonderful stay at La Fe, and yesterday’s ride was good as well. La Fe was a nice surprise at the end! Today’s ride was smooth. Overall, was a great ride and a great experience, definitely I will be looking at more opportunities for cycle vacations in the future. Thanks for everything!!

A. Mireault

Calgary, Canada

Route Map

itinerary
Day 1. ALHAMA DE GRANADA

Road Cycling Tour in Alhama de GranadaRide : 37 km | Elevation Gain :  450 m or longer option : 87 km (1540 m)

Meet in stunning Alhama de Granada, and enjoy a warm up ride cycling through the rural countryside to look down to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Spend the evening walking the gorge and explore the Arabic quarter of this historic town. There is an excellent museum in the Barrio Arabé and the white washed ambience of the original Roman – Arabic town is enchanting. Your accommodation is a family run inn, full of local country charm.

 

 


Day 2. AROUND ALHAMA

Cycling in Andalucia, Quiet Paths bike tourRide : 50 km | Elevation Gain : 945 m  or longer option : 75 km (1450 m)

Cycle a circular route following river valleys and scenic country roads to a beautiful blue lake. Enter a National Park full of almond and olive trees and finish with a soak in the Roman thermal baths of Alhama before sampling the local wine and tapas bars. (Optional extra to enjoy a private massage at your hotel).

 

 

See more

Day 3. ALHAMA TO MONTEFRIO

Road Bike Tour in Southern Spain which visits Granada

Ride : 63 km | Elevation Gain :  770 m or 86 km (Challenging)

A dramatic landscape awaits. Arrive in the impressive mountain village of Montefrio, famous for National Geographic giving it a big thumbs up and listing it as one of the “10 Villages with best views in the World!”. Wander these narrow streets and get a real feel of inland Andalucia before cycling up to your lovely olive grove accommodation for tonight (2 nights stay here, dinner included on 7 day tours).

Love more Miles? Take a rest day here and chill or do a ride to visit a magnificent Moorish castle.

Dinner Included tonight

 


OPTIONAL XTRA –  MONTEFRIO REST DAY

Optional Ride : 50 km | Elevation Gain : 1100 m

Your bike trip in Andalucia would not be complete without a hacienda stay and so you are blessed here, with views of olive groves and the rolling hills around.  If wanting a more active day, hop on your bike and cycle up to Alcala La Real.  Its mighty Moorish fortress Alcázar is impressive indeed with panoramas over the countryside.  A nice town to visit for the day and a great ride through the Spanish countryside.

Dinner included tonight.

 


Day 4. GRANADA

Road Bike Spain's Best area, Andalucia

Ride : 53 km | Elevation Gain : 440 m)

Bike with impressive views of the highest mountains in mainland Spain, the Sierra Nevada. Spot wild asparagus, vine tomatoes and chickpeas growing. End the day by entering beloved Granada. A most historic city with the Visigoths, Romans, Moorish and Medieval peoples all making their mark through the years.  The Cathedral’s Royal Palace with Queen Isabel’s tomb is fascinating.

Relax in your 4 star boutique city hotel, really a joy to stay in, a short walk away from the famous Albaycin district and leafy parks where locals take their evening paseo walks down the Rio Darro. Splendid views of Granada’s Alhambra Palace.

 

 


Day 5. ONWARD TRAVEL

Onward Travels

A final relaxing breakfast to start the day, before a short morning walk through the Arabic quarter. If you have time, visit the Alhambra, a must see for sure! Sample a last local tapas before saying `adiós´ to this fascinating area and making your onward connections for lunchtime.

 

Trip details

Leisure Tour : Self-Guided

Bikes : Hybrid | Ebike | Road

Route : Granada – Alhama de Granada – Montefrío – Granada

Group Size : Minimum 2+ | Discounts for Groups of 4+ if booking Together Andalusia has beautiful flowers

Riding Level

Moderate : A daily average of 55 km (Mileage can be extended). Expect hills. Good paved surface on quiet country roads (busier nearing Granada and there is a 3 km stretch of unpaved road – ok for road bikes). The countryside is rolling and terrain is hilly in parts. Be prepared for some climbs.

Accommodation

4 Nights

4* City Boutique Hotel & Seductive Hacienda stay

Beautiful country Inn
All bedrooms have en-suite facilities

 

Food

Eat Local produce on your Cycle Trip in Spain

One home cooked meal of 3 courses, prepared with local ingredients 
All breakfasts included

Included
  • Luggage delivered to your next hotel
    Welcome meeting and introduction to route and area
    Water Bottle, Helmet Bag, Luggage Tags & Tee
    Emergency support and contact details (we live in the area!)
    Tour pack & Tour guide book & Where to Eat suggestions
    Navigation by Phone App / GPX tracks provided if wanted
    5% off your next Tour with Us

Road Cycling in Andalucia

Not Included

Good quality Bike Hire

  • Hybrid Bike  : €95 / 5 days 
    Road Bike full carbon frame: €150 / 5 days | EBike: €230 / 5 days 
    Entrance to Alhambra Palace *Book in advance!

Massage treatments. Enjoy a great sports massage while in Alhama – please advise when booking beforehand.
Custom Cycling Country Spain Jersey: €65

Staff

1 guide will meet and greet, assist in set up and provide any support needed. As we are based in Alhama, we are never far away from offering advice and assistance.
Feel free to drop in!

Getting Here

Cycle Trip to Granada

Private one way transfers (up to 4 people) can be arranged. Please enquire for destinations or single trips.

There is a local bus to/from Granada to Alhama 3 times daily as well as from Alhama to Torre del Mar (on the Málaga coast) once a day and various times from Málaga / Airport to Granada. (see www.alsa.es). Nearest train stations are Loja (for Alhama with a taxi), Granada, Antequera and Málaga.

Guided Option

Self Guided Bike Tour (Guided and Supported upon request for groups of 5+)

Lodgings

Our Quiet Paths tour is all about giving yourself a break.

Ok, there is still some cycling to do and it isn´t flat terrain, but your hotels for the evening will make it all worthwhile and are certainly going to please – their quality speaks for themselves and gives you a taste of this traditional Andalucian area. There is a nice mix of a stunning 4 star monument hotel in Granada, and two boutique inns in the countryside and rural town of Alhama de Granada.

All different, all absolute delights and the visitor won’t want to leave

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Reviews

Cycling In Granada area“We wanted a self guided tour at very short notice. Cycling Country sorted an excellent four day tour, moving our luggage to very nice hotels in great locations. We were met at the airport, showed personally to our accommodation and personally fitted up to two excellent hybrid bikes. The staff were personable and helpful throughout, changing a bike with no complaint, even though it was a consequence of an error on our part.
The rides were great, notes good. We look forward to returning.”

M. Seymour, London, UK – Oct 2019

 

“Just back from a bespoke self-guided tour in Andalucia, organised by Geoff and Maggi. A group of five, we all loved the trip – the routes, guidance notes, support and bikes were all excellent and pitched perfectly for our mixed ability group. All of the staff at Cycling Country were very easy to deal with, from the booking process to the setting up of the bikes. Highlights were the gorgeous setting of Le Cortijo, the towns of Montefrio and Santa Fe and the “beach” at the lake. Highly recommended….”

C. Seeney, Dublin, Ireland – July 2019

“A wonderful trip in Granada, great routes, lovely villages. Highlights being Le Cortijo outside Montefrio and the charming hotel of Le Le Seguiriya in Alhana de Granada. Geoff and Maggi run a great business and would highly recommend them and their cycling trips.”

Y. O’Sullivan, Dublin, Ireland – July 2019

Road Bike Tour in Andalucia with beautiful landscape

“The last day of riding was excellent, mostly down hill and beautiful countryside. We are enjoying Granada and will go for a walking tour today and the Alhambra tomorrow. Thank you very much for organizing this wonderful bike tour. We thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Don D., Santa Rosa, CA, USA – May 2019

“Enjoying the biking views, food , lovely friendly Spanish people and being here. Just having a great time even though bit of an uphill today but so happy to have chosen this itinerary. Hotels wonderful.”

Deborah S., Santa Rosa, CA, USA – May 2019

Cycling Spain in Springtime“We booked a 4 day ride starting at Alhama de Granada and ending in Granada. Maggi was really helpful answering all of our questions prior to the trip and we felt very prepared for the ride. We rented the Alucarbon bikes and this was a good choice for a multi-day trip – the bikes were in great shape and we didn’t have any problems with them during our ride.

The accommodations were all really nice. We absolutely fell in love with Cortila La Fe outside of Montefrio – if we had know how amazing this stop was going to be, we would have booked an extra day there! Dominque and Ricardo were just adorable and made us feel so welcome, and I cannot even tell you how amazing dinner was!!

The route was beautiful on every leg and the “quiet path” part – was totally true! Very little traffic, and the cars on the road were all very cautious and respectful of bikes! The ride was as described with lots of ups and downs (especially day 2), plan for a stop for tapas and beer along the way to break it up and give your tush a break!

The turn by turn directions were right on the money and we never got lost for a minute! Maggi was helpful and responsive with questions about dropping off the bikes in Granada.

Overall – great experience and we would highly recommend Cycling Country!”

K. Evens, CO, USA – Sept 2018

“Everything was wonderful! Thanks for a great experience! …Thanks again for a great trip and for all the communication before and during to make it all go so smoothly. Warm Regards”

B.& J. Rusk, Colorado, USA – June 2018

“Thanks Maggie. We had a great time cycling and loved the accommodations at each location.

G. Peterson & Friends – AB, Canada – April 2018

“Oh my goodness! We have been having such a wonderful time that I haven’t even been checking my emails. I don’t even know where to start with my gratitude! We have had the trip of a lifetime and we have you and the team to thank.
Dean is the kindest, sweetest guy and he was SO helpful in making sure we were totally good to go with our bikes/equipment and routes. We absolutely fell in love with Alhama and now my husband wants to move there. 😉 The hotel there was so beautiful, delicious and amazing that we didn’t want to leave. When we got through those hills in Montefrio, we were shocked by how equally amazing the Hotel there was too! The food was amazing and Dominique and her husband were so fantastic. Honestly, I wish you could see the huge smile on my husband’s face as we sailed through towns and enjoyed every bit!
We did make it to Alhambra today and it was such an awesome experience! I’m so thankful you told us we needed those tickets! We saw a group with “Cycling Country” shirts and we got so excited but didn’t say anything. I wish I would have known you were in the group so I could thank you in person.

What a wonderful company and a wonderful time! Thank you again for all your hard work and question-answering with me. I truly hope my husband and I can do more Cycling Country trips in the future.

Thank you again!”

K. Culler – CA, USA – October 2017

“Hi Maggi, Thank you for all your care to make our trip a good one. The hills were sometimes a challenge for me but in a good way. Peter, of course had no problem. He slowed down in order to stay with me. Our bikes were great and the course was varied and interesting. The accommodations were great. We particularly liked the country inn outside of Montefrio.
We appreciate all your efforts to make everything work for us. Thanks again to you and Jeff.”
B. & P. Jukneys – Ont, Canada – June 2017

“We had a wonderful stay at La Fe, and yesterday’s ride was good as well. La Fe was a nice surprise at the end! Today’s ride was smooth..
Overall, was a great ride and a great experience, definitely I will be looking at more opportunities for cycle vacations in the future. Thanks for everything!!”

A. Mireault – AB, Canada – June 2017

“We did want to let you know that our cycling trip was a highlight from our trip to Spain. We really felt we saw more ‘real Spain’ during those 5 days rather than ‘tourist Spain’ of the remainder of our time.”

P. & S. Irving – AB, Canada – Oct 2016

Testimonials from previous cyclists are always available and we enjoy receiving the feedback after tours. It helps us improve our services and offer you an even better experience. Please feel free to contact us if you would like a reference to talk to. Others have also posted reviews on the independent travel website .

 

DATES & RATES

QUIET PATHS

Available Through the Year

5 DAYS

ALHAMA START

€755

Single supp. €185

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