Routes for mountain biking in the province of Almería

Rutas para salir en bicicleta de montaña en la provincia de Almería

Almería is an ideal province for lovers of cycle tourism, whether on mountain bikes or road bikes. Its unique orography combines coast, mountains, and the only desert in Europe, the Tabernas Desert, offering spectacular routes for those seeking adventure on two wheels.

If you are passionate about riding on rugged terrain with rocks and gravel, Almería is a must-visit destination. Its volcanic landscapes, especially in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, make every outing an unforgettable experience. In addition, it is the Spanish province with the most hours of sunshine per year, with an average of 3,000 hours, making it perfect for cycling in any season.

Two settings to enjoy cycling in Almería

1. The coast: routes for all levels

The Almerian coast offers accessible routes for road cyclists and MTB, with gentle rides to the west and more demanding terrain towards the Cabo de Gata, where the paths become more technical and rugged. For those looking for challenging training, the climb to the Cabo de Gata Lighthouse or the routes towards Aguamarga and Las Negras are spectacular options.

2. The interior: mountains, desert, and challenging passes

The interior of Almería is a paradise for mountain biking. The Sierra de los Filabres and the Sierra de Alhamilla have challenging passes ideal for those who enjoy road cycling. On the other hand, the Tabernas Desert, close to the capital, offers a unique setting reminiscent of the American West or the legendary Moab desert, making it a reference destination for MTB routes.

Almería: sun, mountains, and cycling all year round

If you are looking for a cycling getaway with good weather and spectacular landscapes, Almería is your destination. Whether you prefer the demanding mountain biking routes or enjoy long days on a road bike, this province has a lot to offer. Get your bike ready and discover its incredible routes!

Tabernas Desert Route

We begin with a moderately difficult route, although with sections that require good skill in handling the bicycle. It is a circular route starting and ending in Almería and passing through the famous Tabernas Desert, the only area considered a desert in all of Europe. It is a spectacular, lunar-like landscape that can be crossed in a couple of hours. You can also visit some of the western towns that served as sets for some of the highest-grossing westerns in history, such as The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
or Once Upon a Time in the West
. We recommend avoiding this route in summer, as temperatures can be very inadvisable and even dangerous for cycling, sometimes reaching up to 50ºC. It is important to be well supplied with water and food and to be well protected from the sun. Although both the city of Almería and the town of Tabernas are close to the desert, the rugged landscape and arid climate require special preparation for mountain biking. The route we suggest is uphill in its first half, up to kilometer 36 of the route, after which a descent and favorable terrain begin on the way back to Almería. The total elevation gain is about 800 meters.

Route through Cabo de Gata

Cabo de Gata gives its name to both a town and a protected natural park known for its coastal and marine richness. Its spectacular beaches, cliffs, wetlands, and salt flats make it a very interesting place to see by bike. We suggest an accessible circular route, although with some tough sections, that begins in the town of Cabo de Gata and heads southeast, passing through the most important beaches in the area: Almadraba, Fabriquilla, or Los Genoveses. Between the last two, there are two tough climbs, between Punta Baja and Punta Negra. The first is considered the southeasternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. After skirting Playa de los Genoveses, the route heads inland towards the town of Pozo de Los Frailes, already in the municipality of Níjar. This last section is done by taking the AL-3108 road, which leads to the greenhouse fields of El Barranquete and Ruescas, before returning again to Cabo de Gata.

Sierra de Filabres - Velefique

Velefique and its entire surroundings in the Sierra de los Filabres
is a cyclist's paradise in southern Spain. Both at the top of Velefique and in Calar Alto, tough stages of the Vuelta a España have been held in recent years, sometimes decisive ones. As for mountain biking, there are several routes scattered around the area starting in the beautiful village of Velefique, a typical Andalusian village with narrow streets and houses completely painted white. From there we suggest a circular route that skirts the mountain pass, whose summit is at 1,890 m altitude. The first part of the route, the first 12 km, is uphill, rocky and with bushes, so you will have to pace yourself. Once you reach the top, a technical but fun and very winding descent opens up, which will take you back to the town of Velefique. The landscape is dominated by spectacular ravines and lush pine forests, which are an oasis within the generally dry and rugged mountain scenery. It is important to have good technique to handle the final descent smoothly and safely.