GRAVEL DESERT
Gravel Desert — A gravel journey through the wild south of Spain
Southern Spain hides one of Europe’s most unexpected gravel playgrounds. Desert landscapes, endless tracks and forgotten villages shape a unique gravel route through the Andalusian interior. In Gravel Desert, silence, light and terrain set the rhythm of each day as we ride through remote and rarely visited areas.
This is not a race, nor an extreme self-supported challenge. It is a carefully designed gravel cycling experience where adventure and exploration meet comfort and thoughtful logistics. Long days on gravel tracks are balanced with local culture, selected accommodations and the pleasure of riding without rush.
Along the route, crossing places such as Gorafe, the Granada Altiplano, the Tabernas Desert and the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, you’ll discover a side of Spain that few cyclists ever experience. With a guide riding alongside you and full support throughout the journey, Gravel Desert invites you to slow down, feel the landscape and live an authentic gravel adventure in southern Spain.
Gravel Desert is designed for experienced cyclists seeking a real, deep, and honest adventure, where the environment commands respect and the journey is lived with intensity.
This journey is for you if…
• You have experience in multi-day routes and know how to manage your effort
• You feel comfortable riding in the heat and during long hours of exposure
• You are looking for an expedition where the environment sets the pace
• You value traveling accompanied by a guide and a support vehicle
• You are not looking for comfort, but for an intense and well-planned experience
• You are drawn to open landscapes, silence, and the feeling of isolation
PRICE FROM €1995
Small group · Guide throughout the entire trip · Support vehicle · Personalized training · Transfers included
DURATION
8 nights | 7 stages
DISTANCE
530 km (75 km per stage)
ELEVATION GAIN
+9200m
START / END
Granada | Almería
DISCIPLINE
Gravel
LEVEL
Advanced
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE TOUR
Accommodation with breakfast in selected hotels and rural houses.
Luggage transfer between stages.
Assistance phone line available during the entire route.
Guidance and support included throughout the entire expedition
Gravel Desert takes place in remote areas exposed to high temperatures.
The journey includes a cycling guide and a support vehicle throughout all stages, ensuring safety, mechanical assistance, logistics, and constant support on the route.
Transfers included and a support vehicle throughout the entire adventure.
Guide riding with the group throughout the entire trip (Christian rides with the group). Only for groups larger than 8 people.
Pre-trip preparation included
Because the experience begins long before the first day in Granada
Before the trip, we carry out an initial assessment and provide specific preparation guidelines for Gravel Desert, focused on:
• Managing effort in the heat
• Adapting to long, exposed stages
• Maintaining a sustainable pace day after day
The goal is not to perform better, but to arrive prepared to face the environment with safety and good sensations.
And it also includes:
- Full route design and daily planning
- Pre-trip briefing (equipment, bike setup, pace, and logistics)
- GPS tracks and daily briefings
- On-site management and support throughout the entire expedition
Everything is designed so you can ride with comfort, safety and freedom.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR
- International flights
- Visas, airline taxes or baggage fees
- Meals not specified in the “Included” section
- Drinks
- Personal expenses and tips
- Excursions or activities not included in the itinerary
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
See our General Travel Conditions
OPTIONAL SERVICES
- Bicycle rental (road or gravel, subject to availability)
- Single room supplement
- Extra night in Hanoi before or after the trip
- Additional private transfers
- Personalized flight assistance
LOGISTICS AND PREPARATION
Before the trip, you will receive all the necessary information to prepare for the expedition:
- Starting point and finish: Granada and Almería
- Nearest airport: Granada and Almería
- Equipment and gear recommendations
- Information on climate, pace, and route types
- Recommended tools and spare parts for the bike
TRAVEL INSURANCE AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
For this trip, it is mandatory to have travel insurance that covers:
- Cycling activity
- Medical assistance
- Repatriation
The insurance is not included in the price so that each participant can choose the policy that best suits their country of residence and personal needs.
If needed, we can advise you on what type of insurance to take out.
ITINERARY — GRAVEL DESERT DAY BY DAY
Over eight days, Gravel Desert takes you across southern Spain from Granada to the Mediterranean, riding through the Granada Altiplano, desert landscapes and increasingly open terrain until reaching the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. The itinerary is designed to balance challenging stages with more fluid days, always combining adventure, enjoyment and discovery of the territory.
Day 0 — Arrival in Granada
The journey begins in Granada, the gateway to the southern interior. After arrival at the airport or train station, we transfer to the hotel and have a first get-together with the group. Time to prepare the bikes, check the equipment and share the initial briefing before dinner. The city is the perfect starting point to leave the routine behind and begin settling into the rhythm of the trip.
Day 1 — Granada → Purullena (82 km | +1,900 m)
The first stage introduces the character of the journey from the very beginning. Leaving Granada, we climb towards the Altiplano, gradually moving into more open and remote landscapes. The contrast between greener areas and arid terrain defines a demanding and spectacular day, with the first views of the badlands before reaching Purullena.
Día 2 — Purullena→ Villanueva de las Torres(84 km|+1400 m)
From this second stage, the route enters the Gorafe Desert, where the landscape opens up dramatically. Wide gravel tracks, eroded terrain and vast horizons define the day, introducing the desert character that will shape the following stages
Day 3 — Villanueva de las Torres → Pozo Alcón (78 km | +1,800 m)
A full day riding deep inside the Gorafe Desert. This stage is defined by long, remote sections, silence and the feeling of crossing an untouched landscape, where the scale of the desert becomes the main protagonist of the journey.
Day 4 — Pozo Alcón → Baza (80 km | +1,100 m)
A flowing stage that skirts mountain ranges and reservoirs, combining fast gravel tracks with quiet secondary roads. The terrain invites you to keep rolling and enjoy the surroundings, with wide open views and a more forgiving profile. Arriving in Baza marks our return to the vast landscapes of the Granada Altiplano.
Day 5 — Baza → Escúllar (100 km | +1900 m)
Queen stage. The route climbs towards Calar Alto, the highest point of the entire journey. This demanding stage combines altitude, exposure and wide open views, adding a mountain dimension to the desert experience before descending towards Escúllar.
Day 6 — Escúllar → Almería (76 km | +800 m)
From Escúllar, the landscape transitions into the Tabernas Desert, one of the most iconic arid regions in Europe. Dry terrain, cinematic scenery and long, quiet tracks define this stage as the route gradually approaches the Mediterranean.
Day 7 — Almería → San José (47 km | +500 m)
The final riding day takes us into the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. A relaxed and scenic stage through volcanic terrain, coastal tracks and paths close to the sea. The arrival in San José offers a perfect and symbolic ending to a week of gravel, desert landscapes and exploration.
Day 8 — Come back home!
A transfer is included from the hotel to Almería airport. End of the trip and farewell to the group.
TRACK
GALLERY
WHY CHOOSE CYCLING NATURE EXPERIENCE
Not all routes can be tackled without solid logistics.
Gravel Desert demands real experience in desert terrain and an organization designed for the environment.
At Cycling Nature Experience, we don’t offer generic routes. We design tailor-made adventures, based on real experience in long-distance cycling expeditions and a deep knowledge of the territory.
We specialize in guided cycling routes in remote destinations, where cycling is simply the means to discover landscapes, cultures, and local ways of life, always with professional support and carefully designed routes.
We know every section of the Gravel Desert route and how to turn it into an authentic and well-balanced experience, where challenge, enjoyment, and cultural immersion naturally coexist.
What makes us different?
- Small groups and a personal approach
- A cycling guide riding with the group throughout the trip
- Experiences designed from a deep passion for cycling and nature
Our goal: that you live the essence of cycling in freedom, with the peace of mind of having a professional team behind you.
Reserve Your Place on Gravel Desert
1 | Deposit
To secure your place in the group, a deposit of 30% of the total amount is required.
2 | Final payment
The remaining balance is paid 60 days before the start of the trip, once all details have been confirmed.
Specific dates available upon request
Groups are organized on specific dates with limited availability. Contact us to check the next available departure.
If you feel this journey is right for you, write to me and we’ll explore together whether this is the right moment to take it on.
Price from €1995
Small group · Guide throughout the entire trip · Support vehicle · Transfers included
Would you like to experience Gravel Desert with us?
Tell us your dates, your riding level or if you’re coming with a group, and we’ll send you a tailored proposal.
