Spain

  • Granada
  • Sierra Nevada
  • Bike Packing

Bike Packing - Spain

This Bike Packing option is an excellent option for guests who are looking for a Bike Packing adventure, irrespective of ability, where you can maximise your time and do the things you want to do without the need to organise things like bike box storage, washing facilities, worrying about damage to your bike, getting lost, airport transfers and more..

Your kit, your time, your rules.

We provide you with the GPX routes for the Gorafe desert, Granada geopark, Badlands and the Sierra Nevada based on how many night you want to camp out in the wilderness, how far you might want to go and of course - where you want to go!

Josh Ibbet riding Gravel Singletrack at Global Bike Adventures

Quick Bits

  • Technical Dificulty: 2/10
  • Fitness Level: 5/10
  • 7 nights / 8 days
  • £900
  • Group size 2+
  • Keep it simple: Ride out, wild camp, return to Lanjaron to refresh, clean, wash, eat, sleep and repeat.
  • Pre-planned routes: Ride out to the Badlands/Geopark, camp out and return, then do the Sierra Nevada?
  • Supported but solo: We're here to help if needed. Otherwise, it's all up to you. Your pace, your kit, your rules!
  • Exceptional scenery: The Sierra Nevada and Granada Geopark/Badlands are exceptional and easy to get to locations.
  • Local knowledge: No need to risk getting lost, eating in the wrong place, constantly checking maps, choosing a poor camp location or riding on poor quality routes when we can help and give you all this information for the best possible adventure.
  • No set dates, 100% flexible.
  • Long weekends welcome.
  • Mid week to mid week available

ADVENTURE DETAILS

Arriving at Malaga Airport

We will collect you from Malaga airport or other pre-arranged location at an agreed time that suits you. We will then transfer you to Lanjaron which will be your 'base' during your stay. The transfer to Lanjaron from Malaga is approximately 90 minutes.

Lanjaron - the base!

You may not spend much time here in Lanjaron. However, it is a great base to ride from and return to, and the idea of being able to clean your kit, service your bike, sleep in a comfortable bed, get a hot shower and even go to a nice restaurant to replace those lost calories after a night or two of wild camping is a great comfort!

Travel light, fast and far!

Having a base here in Lanjaron means you can leave your kit in a safe and secure location when you're not using it - bike box's, extra clothing etc.' There's no need to take your entire, often very 'weighty world' with you. Leave your baggage behind and be free!

Getting ready

We usually recommend a ride from the door to ensure your bike and kit is ready for your first mini adventure expedition. This is when you iron out all the little imperfections like seat height, where to put your favourite snacks, make sure your stove works and so on.

GPX routes and where am I going?

We will give you a GPX route to follow and talk you through the route. This is our chance to tell you about the best places to camp, where to get water, best views, dirt tracks, places to get the best coffee and much more. We'll give you emergency contact information, check the weather forecast etc.' and make sure you're 100% comfortable with your upcoming adventure.

Your adventure begins

Phone charged, sat nav charged, GPX routes loaded and understood, kit ready, adventure begins.

Now you're on your own. After a good, hearty breakfast, lock the door behind you and you're on your way to your fist night wild camping. Safe with the knowledge that you know where you're going, no time frames, at your own pace - free.

Wild camping

We will ensure your Wild Camping location is exceptional, and legal! We know the best places (an advantage of living here for many, many years!) and we have an array of amazing secret locations that you would never know about without local knowledge.

Break camp and return.. Or?

Depending on your route and what you have chosen, you will either break camp and head on to a new location for another night of wild camping in a new spectacular location or return to base to freshen up and prepare for another, new adventure...

The return to Lanjaron is a different route to the one on the way out so you will get to see as much as possible. All our routes are circular and we try to avoid direct 'out and back' routes unless specifically requested.

A rest day - sort of!

After a comfortable night in a warm, cosy bed and a good hot shower you can now sort all your kit out, do some washing, clean and service your bike and prepare for tomorrow because you can do it all over again, but in a different location and new route.

We'll talk you through the new route and download the GPX file to your computer or phone and sort anything out that you might need help with. Whether bike maintenance (we have a fully fitted professional workshop with an abundance of spares) or packing tips for the next adventure - now is the chance to perfect everything.

In the evening there is a wealth of bars and restaurants to choose from if you want to eat out. Alternatively, you can prepare your own food in your accommodation and get an early night. The choice of what you do is up to you!

Off you go again, refreshed.

New route, clean bike, clean kit and refuelled, away you go again!

A new GPX route should take you into a completely different location which will feel like a different country! The Geopark and Gorafe/Badlands are a desert whereas the Sierra Nevada is a lush, mountain region with more terrain over 3000m than any other country in europe! And the two locations are just next to each other - We can't emphasis enough how spectacular this region is for gravel and bike packing and the options it throws up...

Depending on which route you choose you could be camping above 3000m with views of Morocco in the distance!

Breaking camp.

After another night of wild camping and a good breakfast (hopefully) you pack up and head back towards Lanjaron. As before, the route should be circular so you can take in as much as possible. Always at your pace, without timeframes. Your only set objective it to get to Lanjaron, We'll give the route back, but you don't have to follow it! It's your adventure..

Back in Lanjaron

Tired but happy and content you have the option to either sort your kit, pack up, sleep or go out and eat, drink beer or wine or both, or all of the afore mentioned. The choice, like the week in general, is yours.

Transfer back to Malaga

We will transfer you and your kit back to Malaga at a time of your choice.

Getting to the airport

Your transfer to the airport will have been pre-booked so all you need to do is walk for 15 seconds to the pickup point around the corner which is the same place you were dropped off the day before. You need to be at the airport at least two hours before your departure time. However, during the summer months we recommend that you get there with more time to spare. For example, if your flight is at 13:00hrs you will need to leave the hotel at 10:00hrs.

Extra transfers

If your flight time is at a different time to the rest of the group, or you would like to make your own arrangements to get to the airport a taxi will cost between 100 and 150dh. We arrange the airport transfers for a time that best suites the group. If your flight time is late on Saturday and the rest of the group is departing in the morning you will have the option to either go with them, pay for your own taxi (100-150dh) or get the No:19 bus which is every half an hour from the edge of the square and costs 30dh direct to the airport.

At the airport

It isn't possible to confirm your departure without checking in so any boarding cards you print off before you get to Morocco will be obsolete! Even if you don't have luggage or a bike to check on, you still need to check in at the relevant airline desk. The airport is comfortable and modern and over the last few years has become a lot more efficient and user friendly!

Gravel Bike Spain price
£950 per person.

Price includes

  • *All accommodation
  • *Airport transfers to and from Malaga
  • *24/7 support
  • *GPX routes

Price excludes

  • *Flights
  • *Food and drinks
  • *Bike rental - This can be arranged at a cost of £280 / €320 / $340 for the entire trip
  • *Insurance
Skill Level

You will need to be able to corner and use your brakes instictively. Confidence on asphalt and dirt tracks is essential. This adventure does not have sections where there is a level of exposure. However, you should expect to be challenged on some sections. If you're not comfortable riding anything, don't!

Fitness

The fitter you are the more fun you'll have. But that does not mean you need to be a pro/elite rider. There might be some large climbs and you might be on the bike for 5-7 hours each day. We recommend being comfortable with riding 40-70km in a day.

Arrival

The airport to fly into and out from is Malaga (AGP).

The transfer to Lanjaron upon arrival in Malaga will be arranged with you beforehand and should take about 90 minutes.

Departure

The transfer from Lanjaron will be arranged beforehand to coincide with your flight time from Malaga.

Accommodation

The accommodation in Lanjaron is comfortable with all modern facilities for cooking, washing and high speed broadband/internet.

The wild camping spots are designed to be remote without light or noise pollution and will have a sense of secludedness to them. Please note, that even during the summer months, if camping above 3000m it can get cold. Please talk to us about kit requirements for your chosen routes and adventure specfics.

Safety

Your safety is non negotiable and something we take VERY seriuosly. Each rider must ride with a helmet (it's the law). We trak all guests with either Life360 or a GPS traker, the reason is so that we can get to you quickly and easily should you request or need it. We don't sit at the computer watching to see where you are going, thats your choice, and we only look or use these systems as and when required.

Inoculations

You do not need any inoculations to travel to Spain

Insurance

You must have your own insurance which should include helicopter evacuation and repatriation. A search on the internet will reveal a host of insurers to choose from, but please ensure that it includes extreme sports. You might go above 3000m so please ensure your cover includes rescue at this altitude. If your insurance does not cover high altitude rescue we can tailor the route accordingly.

Is the trip safe for women?

Yes, 100%. We have NEVER experienced any form of hostility towards any member of any group.

Where to get it

There are banks in Lanjaron where you can draw cash at an ATM. We recommend keeping some cash with you at all times as not everywhere accepts cards!

Currency

The local currency is the euro (€)

Routes

We have a set list of routes which have all been 'risk assesed' and ridden by us. These routes vary in length and height gain and are designed to be remote and 'off the beaten track'. All the routes are gravel/dirt tracks where possible with no traffic and it would be very rare to see other bikers or walkers.

Camping locations

All the camping locations have been carefully chosen based on avilability of water, access, shelter and level of overall awesomness!

All guests must have their own insurance which should cover repatriation as well as medical. Please ensure that it covers rescue over 3000m and we would also recommend an additional policy for your kit although that is only recommended

Who are we?

Global Bike Adventures was previously trading as Freeridespain. We have rebranded as the company has expanded to enable us to encompass all our websites 'under one roof'. These included Freeride Oman, Freeride Morocco, Road Ride Spain and Freeride Spain. We have been running trips in Spain since 1999

You'll definately need this!

  • *A helmet.
  • *Medical - Insurance is compulsory
  • *Some sort of insurance policy for YOU and your gear
  • *Comfortable cycle clothing, enough for 6 days riding
  • *UVA and UVB protection, a high factor sun block
  • *You do NOT need a visa to fly to Spain

Bike

Any bike along the lines of a Gravel Bike or front suspension XC hardtail will do the job. They key thing is that you are comfortable riding it! You can do these trails with a single front ring but do make sure you've got a large cassette on the rear, otherwise it'll be a struggle in some places!

Tyres

We've used a selection of tyres over the years and recommend a tyre with a width of at least 32mm. I'm a big fan of tubeless tyres where it seems to be ok to just fit, inflate and leave them alone.

Bars, Nightlife and food

Lanjaron isn't a party capital. However, there are a lot of bars and some really good restaurants that serve food up to 10pm. Compared to other parts of northern europe, Andalucia is VERY good value for money...

Food

All the small villages you pass through or visit will have bars where you can get food. Especially Jamon and Manchego cheese!

Bike parts

If we don't have the things you need there will be a bike shop in Granada or Motril that will. There is a good selection of very good shops all close to here.

Spares

We carry a large selection spares in the support vehicles. However, if there is anything that is quite specific to your bike, such as rear mech hanger, we would stongly recommend that you bring a spare one. Generally speaking, we can always get hold of anything you might need very quickly if we don't have it in stock.

If all else fails we can ALWAYS get you a spare bike...

All riding is optional and you are welcome to take a day off and rest. Even if you are half way through your adventure and feel that you've had enough, just give us a call and we'll come and get you.

MTB, Road or eBike?

We always recommend bringing your own bike unless you're coming on one of our eBike adventures.

If you do need to hire a bike please let us know well in advance and we can arrange bike hire for you.

What do I need?

When you make your booking we will send you a comprehensive kit list. If there is anything you don't have or can't fly with please don't worry. Things like fuel for your stove, you can get here and you can just let us know if you want us to buy anything in for you for when you arrive. We also have a large selection of kit you can rent but the list below is the minimum requirement f your gravel biking. Bike Packers will, I suspect, already have their own lightweight tent, sleeping bag, stove etc.'..

  • *Bladder or Bottles - 1.5ltr Minimum
  • *Pump
  • *Basic first aid kit
  • *Spare innertubes
  • *Multi-tool
  • *Snack bars or other type of fuel
  • *Spending money
  • *Spare rear mech hanger

For evenings

A good book, favourite chocolate or any other creature comforts you can't live without!

We have NEVER cancelled a ride although there have been times when we have changed the route. Your safety is our prime concern and your guide will always have the final say. The mountains here go to 3500m and we know them well. Gravel Biking and Bike Packing is a dynamic sport and influenced by many factors such as fitness, ability, weather and other potentially unforseable events, so there may be a need at some point to amend or change a route or the itinarary.

The largest group we can logistcally support is 8. If you're part of a larger group and you all know each other we can support up to 14.

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