By Jenny Mayhew, co-founder and guide, Pure Mountains
In the first week of October 2025, after months of scouting and refining routes and carefully selecting hotels, we welcomed our first group of paying guests to the Pure Mountains Sierra Nevada Gravel Bike Tour. It was the moment our vision of a world-class, gravel cycling point-to-point tour, in southern Spain’s Sierra Nevada, became a reality.
This inaugural trip combined big mountain gravel riding, remote wilderness, expert guiding and warm Andalusian hospitality; and it exceeded all expectations.
Expert guiding and an exceptional group
Guiding and 4×4 back-up duties were shared between me, Tim Kirkus (Pure Mountains co-founder and guide) and our brilliant guest guide, Tatiana Broman. The group consisted of a returning set of enthusiastic and discerning gravel cyclists from Ireland – Henry, Sean, Paddy, the two Johns and Paul – who were joined by Tim from England.
Adding an extra frisson on excitement was Alan, a journalist from The Guardian, who joined us to experience the gravel cycling phenomenon first-hand. While an experienced bike tourer, this was his first gravel bike tour. As The Guardian is the world’s seventh most-viewed news site, with 285 million monthly readers, we were keen to show gravel riding in Spain at its very best.
Day 1: arrival in La Calahorra
The Pure Mountains team drove from our base on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, crossing the dramatic Puerto de La Ragua mountain pass, to reach La Calahorra, a small village on the northern side of the range. Dominated by its extraordinary Renaissance castle, famously featured in Game of Thrones, La Calahorra is an unforgettable place to start a gravel adventure. Our hotel, built in baronial-style homage to the castle, with a dedicated bike garage, quickly filled with the sound of bike building, route briefings, goodie bags being opened and well-earned beers, before dinner rounded off the day.
Day 2: Stage 1 – Guadix Altiplano and the Sierra de Baza
Stage 1 took us north through olive and almond groves across the vast Guadix Altiplano, heading towards the village of Gor. As always on our guided gravel bike tours, we rode with one guide at the front and one at the back to keep the group safe, relaxed and well supported, although a couple of excitable riders still managed an impromptu breakaway!
A coffee stop in Gor’s welcoming pensioners’ bar was followed by a long, beautiful climb on perfect gravel into the Sierra de Baza. Riding an e-bike as back guide allowed me to offer extra support when one rider struggled in the warm autumn sun; a quick bike swap ensured everyone reached the high point of the day at 1,990 metres.
Tatiana met us with the support vehicle and a generous picnic lunch in a wooded mountain clearing before we descended on flowing gravel tracks to Huéneja, where a stylish eco-hotel, pool and excellent food awaited.
Day 3: Stage 2 – into the Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarra
The day began with a chunky rambla (dry river bed) climb straight from the hotel, soon easing into smoother gravel for the sustained climb into the Sierra Nevada Natural Park. Halfway up the ascent, the group stopped for trailside drinks and snacks provided by today’s pickup driver (me). Refreshed, the riders set off to climb the rest of the way up to Puerto de la Ragua mountain pass. I couldn’t follow for this section and had to divert, via the tarmac road, to get to the pass before them. I set up lunch in a perfect picnic spot, at 2000 metres above sea level.
From there, the route delivered one of the trip’s highlights: vast, remote gravel riding followed by a spectacular descent through vineyards into the Alpujarra. We rolled into Laujar de Andarax and our rustic hotel just as golden evening light settled over the mountains.
Alan from The Guardian summed up his first serious gravel experience perfectly: he loved the riding, though he admitted the descents were tough on both hands and behind!
Day 4: Stage 3 – a circular ride in the Sierra de Gádor
With two nights in Laujar, we enjoyed a stunning circular route through the Sierra de Gádor, a dramatic massif which separates La Alpujarra from the desert. The terrain here is wonderfully varied, with forested switchbacks climbing to a natural spring. This was our refreshment stop, where we enjoyed 360-degree views of peaks and plains.
After lunch the weather changed. We raced the gathering, leaden storm clouds back to the village and just made it into a bar for cervezas Alhambra before the heavens opened.
Day 5: Stage 4 – canyons, villages and a stormy finale
Our final day dawned with brilliant sunshine, despite the prediction for a stormy afternoon. Today’s route took the group through the desert-like canyon landscape of the eastern Alpujarra, which is dotted with small villages. We were now riding back into “civilisation”. So, as today’s back-up guide, I found a little bakery with tables outside for our morning coffee break. We had the luxury of choosing between café con leche, café solo, café cortado, maybe even té negro! And magdalenas all round.
After lunch in a bar in the village of Ugíjar, we cycled into the afternoon with a storm circling the mountains above us. Inevitably, in the end, we got a thorough soaking. Still, the Pure Mountains pop-up cava reception went ahead, rain and all, just before we reched our welcoming hotel rural was just outside the little town of Cádiar.
That evening, a local wine tasting and lively conversation capped off what had been an outstanding gravel cycling adventure; including, we were relieved to hear, for The Guardian journalist. We can’t wait to read his article.
Join the Sierra Nevada Gravel Bike Tour
We offer the Sierra Nevada Gravel Bike Tour as a guided or self-guided trip. Explore all the details and the full itinerary. Or jump straight into trip dates and prices.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sierra Nevada Gravel Bike Tour
Is the Sierra Nevada Gravel Bike Tour suitable for first-time gravel riders?
Yes. While the riding is adventurous and takes place in mountainous terrain, the tour is suitable for confident cyclists who are new to gravel riding. Daily stages are fully supported, routes are carefully chosen for rideability, and our guides adapt the pace to the group. One of our inaugural guests, a journalist from The Guardian, was riding gravel for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
How challenging is the Sierra Nevada Gravel Bike Tour?
This is a moderate to challenging gravel bike tour, designed for riders with a good level of fitness and experience of multi-day cycling. Expect long climbs, big descents and remote riding, with daily distances and elevation typical of mountain terrain. However, vehicle support, expert guiding and regular stops make the challenge manageable and enjoyable.
Do I need an e-bike to join the tour?
No. Most guests ride standard gravel bikes, but e-bikes are very welcome and can be a great option for riders who want extra support on long climbs or to enjoy the scenery at a more relaxed pace. Our guides are experienced in supporting mixed groups of e-bikes and non-assisted bikes.
What kind of bikes are suitable for this tour?
A gravel bike with good clearance for wider tyres (at least 40 mm recommended) is ideal. The routes include a mix of smooth gravel, rougher tracks and occasional tarmac. We’re happy to advise on bike setup, tyres and gearing before the trip.
Is the tour fully guided and supported?
Yes. Our guided Sierra Nevada Gravel Bike Tour includes experienced local guides, a 4×4 support vehicle, luggage transfers, daily briefings, mechanical assistance and carefully selected accommodation. We also offer a self-guided version for riders who prefer more independence.
Where does the tour start and finish?
The tour starts in La Calahorra, on the northern side of the Sierra Nevada, and finishes in the Alpujarra region of southern Spain. Málaga Airport is the most convenient arrival point.
When is the best time of year to ride gravel in the Sierra Nevada?
Spring and autumn are ideal. October, when our inaugural tour ran, offers warm days, cooler mountain temperatures and quiet trails. These seasons provide excellent riding conditions and avoid the extreme summer heat.
What level of accommodation can I expect?
We stay in a hand-picked selection of comfortable, characterful hotels, including eco-hotels and rural inns, chosen for their location, food and warm hospitality. All accommodation is well suited to cyclists and includes secure bike storage.
How remote is the riding?
The riding takes place in remote mountain and wilderness areas, far from traffic and busy roads. This sense of space and isolation is a key part of what makes the Sierra Nevada such a special gravel biking destination. On the guided version, a support vehicle and guides ensure safety throughout.