Bike Touring Spain: The Transnevada Off-road Route

By Logan

PUBLISHED Jun 12, 2014

6

Conversation

Add to Bookmarks

There are countless options for off-road cycling routes in southern Spain. These include the Andalbike routes, the 2,000KM TransAndalus, and the many footpaths that traverse the country. We only had a short period of time in Spain before our flight home, so we opted to do a chunk of the 450KM Transnevada route in the steep and rugged Sierra Nevada National Park.

A scant 30 kilometers due north of the touristy Mediteranean beaches, the Sierra Nevada juts straight out of the Earth in massive spires of wildflower covered peaks. The autonomous range was designated a national park in 1999 and is the largest in Spain.

In 2011 a gnarly web of doubletrack, single track, gravel and footpaths were adopted by Andalucia Tourism and supported by the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA). The effort resulted in a well documented, and extremely well signposted, 450 kilometer route that encircles the jagged range in eight named segments.

Chunky rock descents, heart valve tearing climbs, and almost impassable hike-a-bikes make up a route that is as punishing as you make it. We were fortunate to land here right in the midst of a mild late spring when wildflowers were at their peak, the crisp mountain sky held back moisture from the sea, and chilly mornings made coffee extra special. The riding was epic.

One great tradition that is still alive and well in the state of Granada, Tapas. With each drink ordered, you get a snack, gratis. We didn’t pay for a meal for over a week.

Nothing says welcome to Europe like a beer from a vending machine.

After I took this shot, I helped out… don’t judge.

A long traverse.

For more information on this route, including GPS and logistics, click here. Also, check out our growing list of bikepacking and dirt road touring routes.