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Backroads of Andalucia
8 days Hotels Mountain Vistas, Canyons & Caves
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Malaga, drive Benalua. 2 Cycle along the northern Sierra Nevada. 3 Cycle into the plains and canyons of the Guadix Hoya. 4 Rest day or cycle through the Guadix cave quarter and visit old town. 5 Cycle downhill from Puerto de la Ragua Pass into the Alpujarras. 6 Cycle across the Sierra Nevada into Granada. 7 In Granada. 8 Drive to Malaga; fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 5nts cave hotel, 2nts hotel; 7 breakfasts included. See p45. Bicycles: 21-gear hybrid bikes with front suspension, bag-rack and pannier bag for day things. Daily distances day 01 day 02 day 03 day 04 day 05 day 06 day 07 day 08 Rest days or optional rides Grade & Terrain: Grade B 173km/4 days (average 43km/cycling day). One afternoon is left free with an optional ride available. The area around Guadix is not densely populated at all thus few cars will disturb us. Cycling is mostly on the flat or downhill though there are several short uphill sections, generally when ascending out of river valleys. Andalusia is a very mountainous province but this trip offers easy to moderate cycling. 90% on good quality tarmac road. 10% off road on good condition dirt roads. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader cycles with the group on days 3 & 4 no vehicle back-up is provided on these days. On other days the tour leader will be following the group in a back-up vehicle should assistance be necessary. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
40km 63km 18/38km 33km 37km
Cycling through Moorish villages/Martin Muller CYCLE GRADE B
DATES & PRICES in £s per adult 8 days from London (Sun-Sun) 2008 deps 27 Apr-04 May 18 May-25 May 12 Oct-19 Oct 19 Oct-26 Oct 2009 deps 26 Apr-03 May 17 May-24 May 11 Oct-18 Oct 18 Oct-25 Oct Flight Incl 639 639 639 659 Flight Incl 665 665 665 699 Land Only 545 545 545 545 Land Only 559 559 559 559
The northern side of the Sierra Nevada is still little visited in spite of its very special beauty. The region around Guadix is unique in Europe having more than 2000 inhabited caves dug into the hills and canyons. Cycling is rewarding and quite undemanding on roads with little to no traffic, and takes us through a rugged and varied landscape. Sheer canyons chop their way into a semiarid desert reminiscent of Arizona, whilst the Moorish villages of the Alpujarras and the splendour of Granada add to the diversity of this trip, all in the shadows of the peaks of the Sierra Nevada often snow capped until late May.
Cave Houses & Canyon Lands We drive straight to Benalua, a short distance from Guadix where we stay for five nights in a unique (and comfortable) cave hotel. For centuries, the locals have lived underground and still some 3000 people live
in this traditional way with the cave/room temperature at a steady 18 degrees all year round. From our base we take several rides into the dramatic countryside, ranging from almond tree-lined high plains to canyonscarred desert of stunning beauty. Guadix itself was not only a Moorish stronghold until late 15th century but also the first Spanish centre of Christianity in the 3rd century. Alpujarras Descent We drive up to the highest mountain pass in Southern Spain, the Puerto del Ragua (2,000m). From here we descend on our bikes into the Alpujarras, once secluded, which sheltered the last remnants of the Moors before they were finally expelled from Spain in 1609. The tiny villages still preserve the character of those days and its here where the countryside mirrors that of Moroccos Atlas mountains on the opposite shores of the Mediterranean. The
On the trail/Martin Muller
Backroads of Andalucia Ref CSN
Alicun Hot spring Cycling through canyons
views are stunning high mountains and contrasting ecosystems offer great variety and are blessed by a very mild climate, giving the area an almost semi-tropical feel. Granada & the Alhambra We head over to Granada on our bikes along the ancient road that connected the town with Guadix in Roman and Moorish times. After packing up the bikes there is no better way for relaxing our muscles than by enjoying the soothing atmosphere of the hot and cold waters of the Arabic Bath in the historical centre. The next day is free for personal exploration, whether visiting the magnificent Alhambra palace for many the gemstone of all Muslim architecture in the world or head-off to the Cathedral. A highlight is the old Moorish neighbourhood of the Albaicin quarter, with its cobble stone streets, built on top of a hill with ranging views across the mountains and the Alhambra.
Fonelas Fossil site
BENALUA DE GUADIX
From/To Malaga airport Purullena La Peza Hoya de Guadix Canyons Mulhacén 3481m Guadix La Calahorra Castle Puerto de la Ragua 2000m pass 18km freewheel!
Land Only tour: 8 days - start Malaga day 1 (Sun), end Malaga day 8 (Sun) Plus Local Payment: ¬80 (approx £55) payable Benalua These are guide prices, see p46 for full details
GRANADA
Alhambra Cathedral Albacin Hill
S IE R RA
km 0 25
D A N EV A
Ugijar
S PA I N
The Alhambra Palace
20
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