Andalusia – Route of the Caliphate – Granada to Cordoba

Arrive in Granada and check onto your hotel within the historic part of the city. Later, you can go for a stroll and find delightful little corners, palaces and gardens abound in its old neighbourhoods, along with a multitude of tapas bars, restaurants and wine houses. All this will bring you to love a city that is as full of life as it is of history and poetry.

Today you can explore the city of Granada and the amazing Alhambra (tickets not included, pre-booking is suggested). It will take you roughly half a day to visit this enormous Palace/Fortress and residence of the Nasrid Sultans with its beautiful gardens! Late in the afternoon you shall be collected from your hotel and transferred to Tozar around 45 minutes away. You can now take a short walk if you wish and explore the village, tombs dug out of rock and some remains of defence systems used during the Spanish Civil war.

Today’s route is undulating for most of the day. You will first cycle through the small village of Limones. You will now enter a section of the route on unpaved roads toward Casillas de Gumiel. Now the scenery changes to riding through fields of cereal and in springtime full of poppies. Soon you shall reach Fuente del Rey and a  short distance further is Alcala with its imposing fortress La Mota. This is well worth a visit. The old cathedral is also worth taking a look at built by the reconquering Christians.

If this day is too long you can have a transfer with the luggage transport normally at around 10:30-11:00 and skip the first part, you can start to cycle from either Ventas del Carrizal or Alcaudete. However there is only one vehicle to take bikes and cyclists so the transfer depends on the availability on the day.

Part I Fuente del Rey/Alcalá.-Alcaudete 31/29 km, 505-455m ascends and 700m descends

Today a further day of undulations as you ride the short distance to Alcaudete. There are two options to Castillo Locubin, a trail and a small tarmac road. Now a descent to the river of San Juan which you now follow by bike. Soon you arrive at Alcaudete. 

Part II Alcaudete- Luque- Zuheros 30 km, 400 m ascends, 450 m descends

This section is firstly along with the local via Verde (discontinued railway line) to the salt lake where you might well see flamingos. In Luque, you could stop for some lunch in a converted train wagon in the station before you continue onto Luque. Here you can spend the time to explore the wonderful whitewashed village. Now you shall have a climb to your destination for the day in Zuheros.

 Cycling back to the via Verde to continue via Beana to Castro del Rio. The road after Beana is not actively used mainly due to its poor condition which allows for an enjoyable ride without traffic. Castro del Rio is famous for its olive oil production and local crafts.

Today is probably the hardest day as you cycle on quiet roads to Cordoba. Soon you shall see its Roman bridge, now you have complete your cycle tour. Now you can visit the famous “Mezquita” (Grand Mosque) or a walk through the amazing Jewish quarter.

Depart after breakfast.