Iberia C2C Stage 1

Iberia C2C Stage 1

£1,995 per person

Tour Dates

25 March 2027 – 5 April 2027 – Price £1995 per person. Spaces available.

This departure will be led by Lucy Burnett

Single person supplement – £595

This is stage one of our Iberia C2C holiday: an epic ride from one side of the Iberian peninsula to the other (Alicante to Lisbon) via Malaga. This stage starts in Alicante and ends in Malaga, taking in the  cities of Granada and Seville, stunning mountain scenery, characterful towns and villages, and some less known areas like the Sierra de Cazorla.

Cycling – 461 miles, 33,775 feet ascent

Our Iberia Coast to Coast tour, from the east coast of Spain to the west coast of Portugal, takes a southern trajectory. This is stage 1 of the 2 stage tour which ends in Malaga. We initially head south along the coast from Alicante, before heading inland to the Cazorla Natural park. It’s south from there into Andalucia and the cave dwellings in Guadix before an afternoon / night in Granada. The route curves to the north of the Sierra de Tejeda mountains, before climbing up to Competa and other stunning white mountain villages and down to the coast to Malaga where those doing this stage of the tour will depart.

This is an excellent route for those who would like to challenge themselves to a hillier ride, while keeping the distances reasonable. The stage of the route to Malaga is hilly but distances are comparatively short. 

Highlights of Iberia Coast to Coast Stage 1

  • Spectacular mountain ranges: views of the Costa Blanca mountains, the Sierra de Grazalema and the Sierra Nevada, but without ridiculous amounts of ascent.
  • Granada & Sevilla: two of Spain’s most stunning cities
  • Mountain villages: pass through the famous white villages of Andalucia in Competa
  • Lesser known areas: such as the Sierra de Cazorla
  • Early sunshine: as the first of our 2027 tours, this holiday makes the most of Andalucia’s wonderful spring weather
  • Wonderful cuisine: from Alicante seafood to Andalucian tapas

Accommodation

Accommodation is on a twin-sharing bed and breakfast basis, in a comfortable hotel or B&B with ensuite facilities.

You pay on a sharing basis, although single rooms are available upon payment of a single person supplement of £795.

Meals

Breakfast will be included in the hotel and  picnic lunches will be provided during the cycling days.

You will need to purchase your own evening meals, which are usually eaten communally although you are free to opt out if you wish.

We will carry emergency energy gels and bars in the support van but you are advised to bring along your own preferred sports nutrition to fuel your ride.

In the Tour Plan, (B, L, D) refers to meals included in the trip cost i.e. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Arrival / Departure

The tour starts in Alicante and ends in Malaga, both of which ar served by multiple airlines from many airports in the UK and beyond.

Bike Transfers

We will happily transport your bike to the start and back for free. If you drop your bike off at our Sheffield office up to three days before departure we will carefully pack it in the support van, drive it to the start and then return it to Sheffield ready for you to collect. If that isn’t convenient, then depending on where you live, we may be able to collect your bike on our journey from Sheffield to Portsmouth. Please get in touch with us to discuss arrangements.

Since we are no longer part of the EU customs unions, any bike we transport to Europe requires an ATA Carnet which incurs a fee of £60 per bike. This cost will be added to your invoice.

nb because this is Stage 1 of a longer tour, your bike won’t be available to collect in Sheffield until 15th April.

Tour Plan

This tour is a point to point cycle tour, where we follow a pre set route. Local conditions, weather or fitness could lead to changes in our daily plans. All times and distances are approximate.

9 days of cycling
Approx 461 miles+ Age
  • Starts in
    Alicante, Spain
  • Ends in
    Malaga, Spain
  • Road surfaces
    Tarmac (conditions can vary).
  • Bike Type
    Hybrid / Tourer / Road bike
  • Included
    Iberia C2C Stage 1
    Accommodation
    Lunch
    Cycling guide
    GPX files
    Vehicle support
    Baggage transfer
  • Not Included
    Domestic flights
    Evening meals (unless specified)
    Bike hire
    Travel to start & from finish
    International flights
    Airport transfers
    Travel insurance
    Cookie Policy (US)
    Cookie Policy (US)
    Visas
1
Arrival Day
Arrive in Alicante and make your way to our hotel where there will be a briefing before we all go out for dinner.
2
Alicante to Elche
39 miles
After a relaxed breakfast, we set off on a short first day to warm up our legs. We head south along the coast from Alicante as far as the salt marshes of Santa Pola, before heading back inland to the stunning town of Elche, whose palm grove is a world heritage site. (B, L)
3
Elche to Jumilla
48 miles
From Elche we cut between two Sierras (del Maigmo and del Carche) into the Murcia province via the colourful houses in the village of Les Covetes. From there it's across the altiplano to Jumilla. Jumilla is famous for its wines, and vines spread in all directions. (B, L)
4
Jumilola to Riopar
68 miles
One of our favourite things about cycle touring is getting to visit areas and towns that you wouldn't usually see! We start the day with some comparatively flatter riding through the vineyards before hills begin to appear again on the horizon and we cycle gradually uphill along the Rio Mundo to Riopar. (B, L)
5
Riopar to Sierra de Segura
37 miles
Another easier day to give your legs a bit of a break. We start with a short loop up and back to Riopar old town (or else you are welcome to miss this out and spend longer drinking coffee!) We then ride along delightful minor roads into the heart of the wooded Cazorla Natural Park - a true highlight of the trip. Sierra de Segura is known as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Time in the afternoon to go for a wander in the local hills or explore the town. (B, L)
6
Orcena to Cazorla
60 miles
More delightful riding on small roads through the heart of the Cazorla Natural Park to Cazorla itself - the main base for outdoor recreation in this area. Cazorla itself is historic and incredibly picturesque - with its steep alleys and buildings framed by vineyards and mountains beyond. (B, L)
7
Cazorla to Guadix
74 miles
Today is a day of transitioning landscapes - the kind of shift in terrain which typifies a Pedal Nation 'journey'. We leave the wooded limestone Cazorla hills behind and cross up and over into Guadix, framed by the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada (highest mountains on mainland Spain). Guadix is one of the oldest human settlements in Spain, famous for its ancient cave houses. (B, L)
8
Guadix to Granada
38 miles
Another shorter day, to allow you to spend the afternoon exploring Granada (if you want to visit the Alhambra we recommend booking tickets in advance). We head west from Granada, with the Sierra Nevada mountains a constant presence to the south and views of reservoirs to our north. We are truly in Andalucia now, and Granada is the highlight of any trip to Spain. If you would prefer to do more riding than sightseeing, why not take on the challenging climb up to Hoya de la Mora, high up in the Sierra Nevada. The cycle guide will accompany any plucky riders who want to take on this extra 30 mile there and back climb! (this distance and mileage is not included in the totals)
9
Granada to Alcaucin
48 miles
From Granada we continue west, with the Sierra Tejeda hills to our south. Until Alhama de Granada the landscape is fairly dry and scrubby, with lots of olive trees. Beyond, we enter the Axarquia mountain region, and the pretty village of Alcaucin at the edge of the National Park. (B, L)
10
Alcaucin to Malaga
49 miles
Today we arrive in Malaga on a bit of a high. The riding up through the Axarquia to Competa and other stunning white towns is spectacular - particularly at this time of year with all the blossom - before we wind down to the Med and along the coast to Malaga.
11
Departure day
You are free to check out of the hotel in your own time, and make your way for your onward travel. Alternatively, Malaga is a fun lively city, that is very easy to explore on foot (or bike)! A palace, miles of beach, lots of seafood restaurants, the Picasso museum...and also some fabulous riding nearby if you choose to head out on your bike again!

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