Iberia C2C Stage 1

Arrive at the hotel in Alicante, which is served by both air and rail. The city is definitely worth exploring if you arrive early in the day. Alternatively, if you'd like to arrive a day or two early and spend some more time exploring the city (and its beaches), just let us know and we can arrange extra nights at the hotel.

This evening we'll meet for a briefing before having dinner together at the hotel.

Please note, the below elevation graphs are shared courtesy of Maplibre | © komoot | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Alicante sightseeing / highlights

• Santa Bárbara Castle – Climb or take the lift up to this huge hilltop fortress for fantastic views across Alicante, the harbour and coastline.

• The old town – Wander the narrow streets of the Casco Antiguo, with colourful houses, little squares, tapas bars and plenty of opportunities to stop for a drink.

• Explanada de España – Take a stroll along Alicante's famous palm-lined promenade, paved with its distinctive red, cream and black marble mosaic.

• Alicante's waterfront and marina – Explore the harbour, watch the boats coming and going and stop for a drink or something to eat overlooking the Mediterranean.

• Mercado Central – A great place to get a feel for the city and browse the stalls piled with fruit, vegetables, seafood, cured meats and other local produce.

56 miles / 90km & 3,175 feet / 968m ascent

We start the tour with a quick ride down to Alicante’s port and the slightly surreal sight of the famous Icarus statue striding into the Mediterranean with a surfboard. Then it’s back inland, where we won’t need wings to make our way across the landscape towards Jumilla. The route leaves Alicante on the EV8 cycle path before joining quieter roads, heading between the rugged Sierras of Alicante and Murcia.

There are no big climbs today, but the road rises almost imperceptibly for much of the ride, so the accumulated ascent will make itself known by the time we reach Jumilla. We pass through the lesser-known towns and villages of inland Alicante, where traditional pottery, vineyards and small-scale local industries offer a glimpse of a side of the region that most visitors never see. The craggy Sierras del Maigmó and del Carche provide a backdrop as we gradually leave the Mediterranean behind and enter Spain’s wine country.

We finish in Jumilla, one of Spain’s best-known wine regions and home to the Monastrell grape. After a steady first day in the saddle, there’s plenty of incentive to explore the town and sample some of the local wine. (B, L)

Highlights:

• Agost pottery – a town with a long pottery tradition, including distinctive local ceramics and a museum housed in a former pottery factory.
• Monóvar – a small hill town surrounded by vineyards, known for its wine and the distinctive blue-domed Hermitage of Santa Bárbara overlooking the town.
• Novelda – home to the striking Santuario de Santa María Magdalena, an unusual Modernist church built from stone and marble.
• Jumilla wine country – vineyards stretch across the surrounding landscape, with Monastrell at the heart of the region’s distinctive red wines.

69 miles / 111km & 4,450 feet / 1,356m ascent

The riding gets better and better as we head deeper into the Spanish interior. We leave Jumilla behind on fast, open roads, crossing the high country towards Elche de la Sierra, where the landscape begins to change dramatically. This is a day for enjoying the road itself: long, quiet stretches, big skies and increasingly impressive mountain scenery as we make our way towards the Sierra del Segura and some really fast miles.

Elche de la Sierra marks the gateway to the mountains, and from here the route becomes more sinuous as we gradually gain height. The final section follows the Río Mundo through a beautiful wooded valley towards Riópar, surrounded by the mountains. Riópar itself is a lovely place to arrive after a long day in the saddle. The town sits in a mountain valley on the edge of the Calares del Mundo y de la Sima natural park, one of the most spectacular areas of the region. The famous Nacimiento del Río Mundo, where the river bursts from the mountainside in a dramatic waterfall, is just a few kilometres beyond the town - we will visit that and the old town first thing tomorrow. (B, L)

Highlights

• The road to Elche de la Sierra – Fast, open riding through the high country, with very little traffic and huge views as we make our way towards the mountains.

• Elche de la Sierra – A small mountain town and a natural gateway into the Sierra del Segura, marking the point where the character of the ride really starts to change.

• Sierra del Segura – The final part of the day brings increasingly dramatic scenery, with pine-covered slopes, rocky mountains and the Río Mundo valley.

• Río Mundo – Follow the river towards its source, riding through the wooded valley as the mountains close in around you.

40 miles / 64km & 4,500 feet / 1,372m ascent
Optional extra loop: 25 miles / 40km & 2,575 feet / 785m ascent (not included in route stats - see second graph)

Today is a shorter day, but the climbing definitely ramps up a bit - especially if you do the extra loop! Our riding today takes us deeper into the mountains. We begin with an optional short ride up to Riópar Viejo, the atmospheric old village perched above the valley, before heading on through quiet, wooded roads towards the mountains of the Sierra de Segura.

There’s also a detour to the spectacular Nacimiento del Río Mundo, where the river emerges from the limestone cliffs in a dramatic waterfall. It’s a short walk of around 800m to reach the viewpoint, and the van will be on hand with walking shoes for anyone who needs them.

We then continue through the beautiful mountain scenery towards Segura de la Sierra, a wonderfully preserved hilltop village with narrow lanes, whitewashed houses and far-reaching views across the surrounding sierras. There’s plenty of time to explore on foot, find somewhere for a coffee or simply enjoy the mountain air.

And for anyone who still has plenty of enthusiasm – or has somehow forgotten that we’ve already been cycling uphill – the cycle guide will lead an optional extra loop through the mountain villages of Orcera, Benatae and Puerta de la Sierra. (B, L)

Highlights

• Riópar Viejo – Wander around the old village, with its medieval castle, church and superb views over the surrounding mountains.

• Nacimiento del Río Mundo – Walk through the woods to see the Río Mundo bursting dramatically from the limestone cliffs. A genuine natural highlight of the trip.

• The Sierra de Segura – Quiet mountain roads wind through pine forests and rugged scenery as we cross into one of the most beautiful parts of inland Andalucía.

• Segura de la Sierra – A spectacular whitewashed village perched high on the mountainside, with a castle at its summit and extraordinary views across the surrounding countryside.

• Optional mountain loop – For those who want more, add 25 miles and 2,575 feet of climbing through Orcera, Benatae and Puerta de la Sierra – a chance to explore some of the smaller mountain villages that most visitors would never reach.

55 miles / 89km & 4,700 feet / 1,433m ascent

We leave Segura de la Sierra with a long, well-earned descent into the valleys before joining quiet mountain roads through the Parque Natural de las Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas, one of the lesser-known of Andalucía's protected natural areas – far quieter as a result, but no less beautiful. It is the largest protected natural area in Spain, covering an enormous area of mountains, forests, rivers and deep valleys, and is particularly rich in wildlife.

The route then follows the shores of the Tranco de Beas reservoir for much of the day. At this time of year the water should be at its fullest, and the road climbs and descends repeatedly along the shoreline. Just when the mileage suggests we must be nearing Cazorla, we have one final treat – or sting in the tail, depending on your perspective – as we climb up and over the 4,000-foot Puerto de las Palomas. Fear not: we start the climb from a good height, and from the summit it’s downhill into town. (B, L)

Highlights

• Tranco de Beas – The reservoir was created in the 1940s by damming the Guadalquivir and is now an important habitat for wildlife, including golden eagles, griffon vultures and otters.

• Mountain wildlife – Keep an eye out as we ride through the park: wild boar, ibex and deer are all found here, while the skies are home to some impressive birds of prey.

• Cazorla’s old town – Take time to explore the maze of steep lanes, small squares and old stone buildings. The town's castle and church are built dramatically into the hillside above it.

• Olive oil – This is prime olive-growing country, and Cazorla is at the heart of the Sierra de Cazorla PDO, so it’s a good place to try some of the region’s excellent extra-virgin olive oil.

60 miles / 97km & 3,600 feet / 1,097m ascent

Today is a ride of changing landscapes, as we gradually leave the mountains of Cazorla behind and enter the vast olive-growing country of Jaén province. The most direct route from Cazorla to Guadix is mountainous in the extreme (definitely one to come back for another time, but beyond the grade of this tour) and involves some sections where it’s tricky to avoid very busy roads, so instead we have chosen to take a dog-leg, which honestly just increases the variety anyway.

The early miles are predominantly downhill before settling into rolling roads through an almost endless sea of olive trees, with big skies and the mountains gradually receding behind us. It’s a very different landscape from the rugged country of the previous days, but there’s something impressive about the sheer scale of the olive groves that cover the hills in every direction, peppered with the odd grove of fruit trees. And just when you’ve settled into the rhythm of the day, there’s one final sting in the tail. We climb over the shoulder of the Sierra Mágina before a long final descent towards Jaén, the self-styled World Capital of Olive Oil. Jaén is often overlooked in favour of Andalucía’s better-known cities, but that’s part of its appeal. It has a fascinating history shaped by Iberian, Roman, Moorish and Christian cultures, and a compact historic centre packed with impressive architecture. With the bikes parked, there’s plenty to explore – and, naturally, plenty of food to consume cooked with the best and freshest olive oil around!

Highlights:

• Castillo de Santa Catalina – the 13th-century fortress dominates Jaén from its hilltop and has superb views across the Guadalquivir valley and the surrounding olive groves.
• Jaén Cathedral – a magnificent Renaissance building by architect Andrés de Vandelvira and one of the great architectural sights of the city.
• Arab Baths – hidden beneath the Villardompardo Palace, these are among the largest and best-preserved historic Arab baths in Spain.
• Olive groves – Jaén province is at the heart of Spain’s olive-oil production, so this is the place to try the local extra-virgin oil properly – ideally liberally applied to something edible. And did you know that a black olive is just a ripe green one? You do now.

67 miles / 108km & 5,625 feet / 1,715m ascent

If the first leg of the dog-leg was varied, then today’s ride is even more so. We leave behind the rolling hills of Jaén’s olive groves, skirt the greener mountain ranges south of Cazorla and gradually enter the extraordinary badlands of the Granada Geopark. The road south of Jaén runs parallel to the motorway for some miles, therefore with little traffic, making for easy riding before we climb into the hills towards Montejícar. The lower slopes here are still covered in olive trees, but the landscape becomes increasingly open and dry as we continue through Guadahortuna and Pedro Martínez towards Fonelas.

Here we enter the Granada Geopark, where water and wind have carved the soft earth into steep-sided gullies, eroded valleys and colourful badlands. We finish the day descending through this unusual landscape into the Guadix basin, with the Sierra Nevada providing a backdrop. Guadix itself is one of the most distinctive towns on the route, famous for its cave houses, many of them still inhabited, with white chimneys poking out from the hillsides. It’s a suitably unusual place to finish the day.

Highlights:

• Montejícar – a small hill town with the remains of a medieval castle and a Roman bridge over the River Guadahortuna.
• Granada Geopark – a vast geological landscape of badlands and eroded valleys, surrounded by mountain ranges including the Sierra Nevada and Sierra de Baza.
• Fonelas – home to an important palaeontological site containing evidence of animals that lived here during the Quaternary period.
• Guadix’s cave quarter – explore the Barrio de las Cuevas, where homes have been dug directly into the soft clay hillsides and are still lived in today.

39 miles / 63 km & 3,100 feet / 945 m ascent

With the detour up and down the climb to Veleta this increases to 85 miles and 11,475 feet ascent, or 70 miles and 8,775 feet ascent to Pradallano and the Hoya Del Mora snow barrier. See second graph. Neither of these are included in overall route distance or ascent.

With Granada ahead, today gives us a choice: a relatively short ride followed by an afternoon exploring one of Andalucía’s great cities, or a seriously epic detour up the Sierra Nevada. The standard ride is 39 miles, while those tackling Veleta can add considerably to the day: 70 miles / 8,775 feet to Pradollano and the Hoya del Mora snow barrier, or 85 miles / 11,475 feet if conditions allow us to continue towards the Veleta ski station.

We’ll leave early so both options are possible. The Aguas Blancas road from Guadix into the Genil valley is champagne riding: quiet, flowing and wonderfully scenic, with a great surface and gentle ups and downs. We’ll detour to the Canales reservoir for an early sandwich before continuing towards Granada.

After lunch, the sightseeing group will follow the van into Granada for an afternoon of independent exploration. We can’t guarantee rooms will be ready before mid-afternoon, but your belongings will be delivered so you can change. Those taking on Veleta will head upwards on the quieter road and return via the busier one. As this is an early-season ride, the Hoya del Mora snow barrier may be as far as we can safely go. We’ll go as high as conditions allow, with the cycle guide accompanying the climb and the van returning to support the group.

There should still be time to explore Granada afterwards and, for those who have booked ahead, perhaps visit the Alhambra. (B, L)

Highlights:

• The shorter ride – 39 miles and 3,100 feet makes this a relatively gentle day by Coast to Coast standards, with beautiful riding and plenty of time to enjoy Granada.
• Alhambra & Albaicín – Granada’s great double act: the extraordinary palace and fortress and the atmospheric old Moorish quarter opposite. Timed tickets are essential for the Alhambra.
• Granada tapas – in many traditional bars, ordering a drink still comes with a small plate of food, making an evening of tapas a very good way to explore the city.
• Veleta – at 3,396m, one of Europe’s highest paved road climbs and a serious cycling challenge, even if the snow barrier stops us short of the summit.

48 miles / 77km & 4,625 feet / 1,410m ascent

Leaving Granada behind, we head west with the rugged Sierra Tejeda providing a dramatic backdrop as the route gradually moves from open plateau into more mountainous terrain. For the first part of the day the riding is through dry countryside, with olive groves stretching across the landscape as far as the eyes can see and surprisingly little sign of habitation.

After around 20 miles the character of the ride begins to change. The road becomes increasingly sinuous as we gain height, eventually bringing us to Alhama de Granada, spectacularly perched above a deep gorge. From here we continue into the Axarquía, one of Málaga province’s most mountainous and distinctive regions, before finishing in the pretty village of Alcaucín on the edge of the natural park. (B, L)

Highlights

• Alhama de Granada – A wonderfully atmospheric old town dramatically positioned above the Río Alhama gorge, with narrow streets, historic buildings and remnants of its Moorish past. Alhama takes its name from the Arabic word for baths, and its hot springs have been used since Roman times. The town’s historic spa remains a reminder of this long tradition.

• Sierra Tejeda – The mountains become an increasingly impressive presence as we head west, with the distinctive peaks of the Sierra Tejeda forming part of the largest protected natural area in Málaga province.

• Axarquía – This mountainous corner of Málaga is very different from the Costa del Sol stereotype, with white villages scattered among steep valleys, olive groves, vineyards and subtropical crops.

• Alcaucín – A small whitewashed mountain village at the foot of the Sierra Tejeda, with the Parque Natural Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama on its doorstep – a peaceful place to finish another substantial day in the saddle

52 miles / 84km & 3,275 feet / 998m ascent

Today we arrive in Málaga on a bit of a high. We climb through the Axarquía towards Cómpeta and beyond, with some of the best riding of the tour so far. Our Cycling Development Manager has ridden extensively in Spain, and Andalucía in particular, and this is probably her favourite stretch she has ever ridden: quiet, well-surfaced roads, spectacular views and a succession of beautifully maintained villages.

There’s a remarkable 5,250 feet of descending today, so eventually the Mediterranean comes back into view. After a coffee stop in Cómpeta’s square, we wind down to Torre del Mar and then follow the coast towards Málaga. The final section uses the state road, but with the motorway taking most of the fast traffic, it makes for enjoyable seaside riding all the way into the city. (B, L)

Highlights

• Cómpeta – Famous locally for its sweet Moscatel wine and annual Noche del Vino festival. Its hillside setting also makes the main square an excellent coffee stop.

• Spring in the Axarquía – March is a particularly good time to ride here, with almond blossom adding colour to the dry mountain landscape.

• 5,250 feet of descent – One of those days where the elevation profile tells much of the story. Once the climbing is done, there’s a very satisfying amount of downhill to come.

• Málaga – If you have time after arriving, explore the historic centre, visit the Roman theatre and Alcazaba, or simply settle into one of the city's many tapas bars.

• Stage 1 of the Iberia C2C complete – After mountains, reservoirs, white villages, olive groves and the Sierra Nevada, we finish our journey at the Mediterranean once more.

You’re free to check out of the hotel in your own time and make your way home or on to your next destination. Or, if you have the time, we’d definitely recommend staying on in Málaga for a day or two. It’s a lively, relaxed city with a great mix of history, culture, beaches and food, and is easy to explore on foot. The old centre is full of narrow streets, sunny squares, tapas bars and cafés, while the waterfront and long sandy beaches are perfect for a slower day after all that cycling. And if you’re not quite ready to hang up your cycling shoes, there’s some fabulous riding in the hills just outside the city. (B)

Highlights:

• Alcazaba and Roman Theatre – a Moorish fortress overlooking the old city, with the remains of Málaga’s Roman theatre at its foot.
• Picasso Museum – Málaga was Picasso’s birthplace, and the museum has a substantial collection of his work.
• Málaga Cathedral – an impressive Renaissance cathedral in the heart of the old town.
• Atarazanas Market – a lively food market housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century building, ideal for a wander and a bite to eat.
• Beaches and waterfront – head to La Malagueta or stroll along Muelle Uno for sea views, restaurants and a final taste of the Mediterranean.