EPIC Trans Andalusia
EPIC Trans Andalusia
Sensational rides, challenging climbs, traffic-free roads and the best weather in Europe
The quintessential Spain, Andalusia is famous for flamenco, fiestas, bulls and “pueblos blancos”, but it’s also home to some of the most stunning and challenging rides in Europe.
Featured Climbs
Carretera de la Cabra, El Torcal, Puerto De Las Palomas, Puerto de Peñas Blancas & Los Reales
Overview
Details
Next Departure
May 3rd 2025
From
USD $4,895
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Non-Rider Friendly
No
Rental Bike
USD $550
Ride Program
Total Distance
Total Elevation
Daily Av. Distance
Daily Av. Elevation
Overview
Andalusia ticks all the boxes for a classic Thomson trip — stunningly beautiful rides, challenging climbs, great hotels, traffic-free roads and the best weather in Europe.
Your journey starts in the Sierra Nevada, travels westwards through the ancient cities of Antequera and Ronda, and concludes on the Mediterranean Coast in Estepona. Along the way, you’ll conquer the Carretera de la Cabra (Goat’s Path climb), considered by many to be one of the most dramatic climbs in Spain. Other highlights include the Puerto de las Peñas Blancas, the Puerto de las Palmas, the dramatic limestone formations of the classic Vuelta a España climb to El Torcal, and a fabulous ride through El Chorro Gorge with breathtaking views of the world-famous Caminito del Rey.
Join us and experience the essence of Southern Spain on this challenging and stunningly beautiful ride from the Sierra Nevada to the Mediterranean Coast in Estepona!
Tip: The EPIC TRANS and TRANS trips are fully interchangeable, so you can enjoy the classic TRANS route one day and switch to the EPIC the next, or vice versa. The two trips run side by side, with everyone staying in the same hotels, sharing the same staff, and having breakfasts and dinners together. The ONLY difference lies in your choice of daily route: TRANS is slightly shorter with less elevation, while EPIC offers a longer ride with more climbs.
Alejandro Catania, UK — 2019
Joey Baird, USA — 2019
Bob Goland, USA — 2019
Itinerary
Day | Description | Distance | Elevation | Hotel | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
01 | Welcome to Andalusia | Alcadima Hotel | |||
02 | Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarras White Villages | Alcadima Hotel | |||
03 | Carretera de la Cabra (The Goat's Path) | Bbou Hotel La Viñuela | |||
04 | Over the Puerto del Sol to Antequera | Hotel Finca Eslava | |||
05 | Through the Sierra de las Nieves to Ronda | Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria | |||
06 | Sierra de Grazalema Loop | Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria | |||
07 | Puerto de Peñas Blancas and finish on the Mediterranean | Hotel Kempinski | |||
08 | Adios! | ||||
Daily Averages |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Distance
Elevation
Welcome to Andalusia
Your trip starts at Malaga Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in Lanjarón.
After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up you’ll head out for your first ride in Andalusia. Our warm-up ride features one of the most beautiful climbs in the region, the 8km (5 miles) climb to Cáñar. 20 switchbacks later you’ll reach the summit and after a quick coffee stop in the local cafe, enjoy the stunning views of the Alpujarra valley as you descend back to Lanjarón.
Day 2
Distance
Elevation
Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarras White Villages
A magnificent ride today through the Alpujarras region in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The region is famous for its white villages and our route takes us through many of the most picturesque villages, including Trevélez which, claims to be Spain’s highest village at 1,476m (4,850ft).
Tip: after an initial 9km (6 mile) descent, the first 35km (22 miles) are mostly uphill. Don’t push too hard on this first part of the ride, save something in the legs for the second climb – it’s a tough one!
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
Carretera de la Cabra (The Goat's Path)
A tough but strikingly beautiful ride today. With a total elevation of over 3,000m (10,000ft), it’s definitely one for the mountain goats. And fittingly, the highlight of the day is called the Goat’s Path, locally known as the Carretera de la Cabra.
Tip: The views as you climb the Goat’s Path are really magnificent. Forget about Strava, enjoy this fantastic climb – and stop and take a few photos.
Day 4
Distance
Elevation
Over the Puerto del Sol to Antequera
A classic Thomson ride today with a couple of really special climbs. The Puerto del Sol is an absolute joy to ride: zero traffic, over 20 switchbacks in the final 5km (3 miles), fantastic views and a pretty steady grade of between 6 and 9%. An icon of La Vuelta a España, the climb to El Torcal is your final climb of the day, followed by a 20km (12 miles) descent to our hotel in Antequera.
Tip: On the descent of El Torcal, take time to admire the limestone rock formations which are recognised as some of the most dramatic in Europe.
Day 5
Distance
Elevation
Through the Sierra de las Nieves to Ronda
A fabulous ride today through wondrously diverse terrain, culminating in the magnificent Puerto del Viento climb in the Sierra de las Nieves. This is one of these days to just take it easy, enjoy the traffic-free roads and admire the scenery. This is quintessential Andalusia with beautiful green valleys, dramatic canyons and several “pueblos blancos” (white villages) along the route.
Tip: be sure to stop at Km 35 (22 miles) for a photo op of the El Chorro Canyon and the incredible Caminito del Rey – one of the world’s most spectacular pathways.
Day 6
Distance
Elevation
Sierra de Grazalema Loop
A stunning ride today through the Sierra de Grazalema! Two magnificent climbs, the Puerto de las Palomas and the Puerto del Boyar, dramatic mountain scenery throughout the ride, some of Andalusia’s most beautiful “pueblos blancos” and very little traffic. One of our Top 5 rides of the year.
Tip: you’ll ride through the beautiful town of Grazalema three times. On the 3rd occasion, have a coffee on the main plaza, it’s well worth the stop!
Day 7
Distance
Elevation
Puerto de Peñas Blancas and finish on the Mediterranean
Quintessential Andalusia today with this magnificent “pueblos blancos” route through the best of Andalusia. The ride concludes with an impressive 20km (12 miles) descent to the Mediterranean Coast in Estepona – and the end of your fantastic journey across Andalusia.
Tip: when you get to the Puerto de Peñas Blancas, if you’re feeling up for it, take the single-lane road that continues to climb for an additional 5km to Los Reales viewpoint. From the viewpoint you’ll be treated to incredible vistas of the Mediterranean coast, 40km off in the distance.
Day 8
Distance
Elevation
Adios!
Unfortunately, your journey across Andalusia has come to an end.
Our private shuttle will drop you off at Malaga Airport.
Map & Profile
Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cáñar from Órgiva |
7.4% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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>15
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trevélez from Órgiva |
3.9% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
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Puerto de Torvizcón from Torvizcón |
6.5% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carretera de la Cabra from Jete |
3.8% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
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6-8
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Alto del Navazo from Balneario de Alhama de Granada |
4.6% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Puerto del Sol from Periana |
5.2% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
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El Torcal from Villanueba de la Concepcion |
7.3% | HC | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
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6-8
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>15
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Puerto del Viento from El Burgo |
4.7% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Puerto de Boyar from Grazalema |
5.8% | 3 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
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Puerto De Las Palomas from Zaharra de la Sierra |
6.9% | HC | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Puerto Jimena de Libar |
5.8% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
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Puerto de Peñas Blancas & Los Reales from Venta San Juan |
4.6% | HC | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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No major climbs today |
Climbs
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Climbs
Dates & Prices
Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | |||||||
May 3 - 10 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $4,895
|
USD $850 |
USD $920 |
Book this trip | |
Oct 4 - 11 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $4,895
|
USD $850 |
USD $920 |
Book this trip |
Waiting List
Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:
Trip Hotels
Alcadima Hotel
Bbou Hotel La Viñuela
Hotel Finca Eslava
Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria
Hotel Kempinski
What's Included
What's Included | What's Not Included |
---|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
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What's Included |
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Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
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What's Not Included |
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Pick-up/Drop-off Info
Arrival
Pickup Location | Time |
---|---|
Malaga Airport |
9:00am |
OR |
|
Malaga Hilton Garden Inn |
9:00am |
Departure
Drop Off Location | Time |
---|---|
Malaga Airport |
9:00am |
Rental Bikes
Specialized Aethos Expert
Frame
Aethos FACT 10r Carbon
Groupset
Di2 Shimano Ultegra
Weight
699g (size 56)
Wheels
Roval C38
Chainrings
52/36T
Cassette
11-34t (12-speed)
Sizes
49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
USD $550
View DetailsEPIC Trans Andalusia
Let us introduce you to some of the most sensational riding in Europe. Andalusia - quintessential Spain