CIRCUMNAVIGATE THE SIERRA NEVADA: ON THIS ULTIMATE E-MTB TOUR IN SPAIN
This E-MTB tour in Spain is an incredible circumnavigation of the Sierra Nevada in Andalucía; from the white-washed villages high in the Alpujarra mountains, to the desert ‘Badlands’, to street-riding through the historic city of Granada. Coupled with the best locally-produced cheeses, jamón and red wine, this is a full immersion into Andalucían life.
- Skill level: Intermediate+
- Fitness level: 6/7
- 7 nights / 8 days
- £2,275 / $3,072 / €2,730
Ross and Catherine headed to Andalucía to take on the task of capturing all the colours of this corner of southern Spain. It was a tough job, riding sensational singletrack in glorious weather, enjoying delicious local food and wine, but they did their best. Take a look through the gallery to see how they suffered! You can also read Ross’ photo diary…
Trip Highlights
- Conquering some long, tough climbs
- Staying in comfortable + unique caves in the ‘Badlands’
- Learning how the world-famous jamón iberico is produced
- Bar-hopping on a tapas tour of Granada
- Riding through the streets of the Albaicín, the old gypsy quarter
- Being immersed into the local way of life in Andalucía
- Marvelling at the unique geology of the ‘Desierto de los Colorados’
Tour Dates 2023
- 23 – 30 September
Private groups
Travelling as a group of friend or family? Contact us to create your own private trip.
Is this e-mountain bike tour Spain for you?
We want you to have the best experience in Spain, so it’s important to be sure that this is the perfect E-MTB tour, with the right level of challenge, for you.
You’re an experienced e-mountain biker, riding at least once a week through the season and comfortable on: long double track climbs; steep, singletrack descents with switchbacks; loose, rocky singletrack; rock gardens. Read more on our intermediate+ skill level.
E-MTB tour in Spain Itinerary
This e-mountain bike tour in Spain will immerse you in the rich culture, cuisine and landscapes of Andalucía. From the ancient mule tracks of the high Alpujarra, to the fascinating history of old town Granada.
- +Arrival in Spain - refresh + prepare for your adventure
If you’re travelling a long way or across several time zones to Spain, we advise arriving a day or two early to allow your body to adjust to local time and to make sure any flight or luggage delays don’t spoil your trip.We have a guide to spending 24 hours in Málaga, including hotel recommendations.
- +Day 1 - Welcome to Spain! Local warm-up ride
Your guide will meet you at Málaga airport or, if you’ve arrived early, at your H+I recommended hotel in Málaga around lunchtime (between 12:00 and 13:00). We’ll then transfer to Dilar, a village in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.When we arrive at your fabulous small hotel we’ll fit our e-mountain bikes, then your guide will go through the all-important pre-trip briefing over a cold drink.
If time allows, we can head out for a short ride to stretch your legs and introduce you to the amazing Spanish trails.
This evening’s dinner will be a feast of delicious local food and wine in the hotel, which will immerse you immediately into the very sociable and relaxed way of life, here in the southern Spanish mountains.
Accommodation: Small hotel Dilar
- +Day 2 - Heading South: Dilar to Capileira
On your first full day on our E-MTB tour in Spain you will have a big day of riding, from last night’s accommodation and along the southern most portion of the Sierra Nevada mountains.During your ride you will experience the full compliment of what southern Spain has to offer: flowing singletrack, doubletrack, climbing and descending, and an optional technical descent to round things off (your guide will make the call on the group’s ability); not to mention amazing mountain cuisine, hospitality and views…
We’ll end our ride in the traditional white-washed village of Capileira, in another family-run hotel which will be a welcome sight after this big day on e-bikes! We’ll get the bikes cleaned up and charging, and have a quick siesta before enjoying a typical Spanish dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Distance cycled: 35km (app. 5 hours)
Accommodation: Small hotel Capileira
Meals included: Breakfast
- +Day 3 - Capileira to Cádiar
From your accommodation in Capileira we’ll venture even higher and deeper into the Sierra Nevada mountains on a selection of breath-taking singletrack that leads us to a height of 2000m, before dropping us down through high mountain meadows to lunch in the highest village on mainland Spain, Trevélez.This remote village is famous across Spain and the world for its ‘jamones’. You’ll have the chance to visit the museum and small family factory and, of course, taste some of this delicious ham – a real highlight of the day.
After lunch we’ll climb out of the village on the GR-7 (mountain walking route) to a height of 1765m where, on a good day, you can enjoy views as far as Morocco. Once you have your breath back we’ll set off on a descent of more than 10km, all the way to your hotel for the evening.
Your accommodation for the next two nights is quintessentially Andalucían: an organic farmstead that produces its own olive oil, wine, almonds and vegetables. Expect more delicious food!
Distance cycled: 44km (app. 7 hours)
Accommodation: Organic farm stay, Cádiar
Meals included: Breakfast
- +Day 4 - Authentic Alpujarra
After a relaxing sleep on the farm, we have a van transfer to Mecina Bombaron, one of the last strongholds of the Moorish culture in Spain.From here we’ll climb up to 2,000m on some easy Land Rover tracks, until topping out at the singletrack trailhead where we’ll descend on some of the most ancient trails in the area towards the “Rio Grande de Bérchules”. These are still used mainly by the mountain cowboys of Bérchules who keep their cows in the upper meadows of Sierra Nevada in the summer time.
These trails are a good test of our e-mountain bike skills before reaching Bérchules, a slightly peculiar village where they celebrate New Year’s Eve the first Saturday of August.
After we pass through the village we’re on the home straight to our hotel, early enough to enjoy the afternoon in the gardens, where we will discover the most authentic and preserved Alpujarra.
Distance cycled: 35km (app. 5 hours)
Accommodation: Organic farm stay, Cádiar
Meals included: Breakfast
- +Day 5 - Heading north: Cádiar to Alcudia
From the high snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains, where you were riding on trails that interlinked whitewashed villages, you are now going to cut across to the northern side and into the desert landscape.We will start with a transfer of about an hour from our accommodation in Cádiar, followed by a full day on the bike that will have you wondering if you have landed in another country, or world! A large part of today will be doubletrack, punctuated by flowing singletrack sections.
As a result of the natural topography of this area, many people in this part of the Sierra Nevada built caves to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer, thus effectively living underground. As you ride through this area you will see these structures and be in awe at how grand they can look.
It would certainly be remiss of us to bring you here and not stay in a cave! Tonight you will be sleeping in unique cave accommodation, and enjoying more mouth-watering local delicacies in your subterranean dining room!
Distance cycled: 60km (app. 7 hours)
Accommodation: Caves, Guadix
Meals included: Breakfast
- +Day 6 - Into the Gorafe desert
We’re now on the north side of the Sierra Nevada and will be e-mountain biking in a Quaternary Geopark, where the rivers have excavated a unique ‘Badlands’ landscape.A tour in the “Desierto de los Colorados” will give us the chance to take some really special photos. This will also allow us to get a full understanding of how people have lived here since the Neolithic time.
After biking through the desert we’ll find a very special oasis: a thermal area full of history and geological curiosities.
We’ll end the day in Gorafe, a traditional village where we can relax with some drinks and an authentic meal- real ‘grandma style’ cooking – before making our way back to our hotel.
Distance cycled: 45km (app. 5 hours)
Accommodation: Caves, Guadix
Meals included: Breakfast
- +Day 7 - Alcudia to Granada
After another fantastic night’s sleep in your comfortable cave, we’ll load up the van for a 30-minute transfer to the start of the trails. Today we’ll be e-mountain biking an ancient trade path that will be enough to give any singletrack addict their fix!As you snake along singletrack-strewn hillsides, completely engrossed in these spectacular trails, you will suddenly be hit by a surreal view of the Alhambra in the distance, which signals the start of your descent into Granada via a much less ventured path…
Your guide will lead you through the old gypsy quarter and on to some old-school street riding through the Albaicín, down steps and onto cobbled alleys in the heart of the old town to your final hotel.
After much high-fiving and laughing we’ll drop our kit off before the best post-ride experience ever: a visit to the Hammam (Arab baths) for a soak in the warm pools, a massage and stretch out on the hot stone slabs. Utter bliss.
When you’re feeling refreshed from your pampering we’ll hit the town on a tapas tour of Granada city, where the good food, wine and chat will flow late into the early hours on your last night together on this amazing adventure around the Sierra Nevada of Spain.
Distance cycled: 35km (app. 4 hours)
Accommodation: Small hotel, Granada
Meals included: Breakfast
- +Day 8 - Departure
Sadly, today we must bid our farewells. We’ll pack up our belongings and transfer you (app. two hours) back to Málaga airport for your flight back to reality.Meals included: Breakfast
Please note: Your E-MTB tour in Spain is a living thing, being influenced by multiple factors such as changing weather conditions, group riding abilities, trail damage, to name a few. Your local guides are experts in guiding mountain bikers in Spain and will be continually assessing these factors and making tweaks to the itinerary where necessary to ensure that every member of the group has the best possible experience on our e-mountain bike tour Spain.
- +Tour price
E-MTB Tour in Spain Price
£2,275 GBP / $3,072 USD / €2,730 EUR per person (ex. flights, based on two sharing a room)
Price includes:
- Services of professional, English-speaking expert e-mountain bike guide(s) for the duration of the trip
- 7 nights’ accommodation
- 7 breakfasts
- English-speaking driver
- All ground costs
- Back-up vehicles and luggage/ bike transfer (as required) for duration of your e-mountain bike tour Spain
- All group safety equipment
- Airport/ H+I recommended hotel pick-up on day 1 and drop-off on day 8 of tour (specified times apply)
- Global Rescue medical and evacuation services
Price excludes:
- Lunches and dinners
- International/ domestic flights
- Travel and activity insurance
- Bike rental – £580/ $783/ €696 for a good quality e-MTB
- Hammam experience in Granada
- Tips in restaurants and hotels
- Single supplement:* £320/ $432 / €384
- Alcoholic/ non-alcoholic beverages
- Personal safety and cycling equipment
- Any other items not mentioned as included
*Single supplement is only applicable if you are travelling solo and do not wish to share a room with another rider of the same sex. If you’re happy to do that, you need not add the supplement. Please note: A single room may not be available at the time of booking.
H+I Adventures is bonded by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), so you can be sure that when you book with us your money will be safe.
- +Skill + fitness levels required
Does this sound like you? our vacation time is precious and we want to be sure that you’re making the most of it with the perfect e-mountain bike tour.On our E-MTB tours the e-bike is not a skill or fitness compensator. It is an aid to exploring the world, riding further, or giving you that one final run down a trail that we might otherwise have missed.
During our e-mountain bike tour in Spain you will deliver around 85% of the effort required on an average day and your E-MTB will help you with the other 15%. You will occasionally encounter terrain or a situation where you will need to run the bike in Boost mode for short periods. Most of your ride will be spent between Eco and Trail modes, sitting in Eco mode on most climbs to manage your battery life through the day.
Please note: The skill level required reflects an overall rating for the trails on the trip but you should expect to find sections and obstacles that push your ability levels.
Skill level: Intermediate+
- You have been mountain biking regularly for at least two years
- You can brake, use gears and corner with confidence
- You have good bike handling skills, and are confident riding rough double track and non-technical singletrack
- You are competent at riding undulating trails with moderate climbs and descents on both double and singletrack, but tend to get off and walk technical singletrack sections
- You mountain bike approximately once a week throughout your biking season
Fitness level: 6/7
- You have a good level of bike fitness, exercising at least three times every week throughout the year, for an hour at a time
- You can ride an e- mountain bike for up to six hours a day at a moderate pace, with snack and photo stops, for three or more consecutive days
- You can tackle two or three fairly significant climbs a day, up to 600 metres each
Typical trails you’ll be riding
- The trails on our E-MTB tour Spain are natural ‘rustic’ ancient walking paths of varying trail surface, that will require you to choose your own riding line and decide if it is suitable to ride
- Double track: undulating and sometimes steep jeep tracks made up of a mixture of hard-packed and loose road surfaces
- Singletrack: you will encounter up to head-sized, fixed and loose rocks, as well as fixed bedrock style trails, natural rock steps and street riding
- Tight switchbacks are also characteristic of this part of Spain, and worth practising before you travel
- The surface will most likely be very dry and loose
- Trails in the forest will have roots crossing them and may be narrow through the trees
- +Arrival + departure details
Your E-MTB tour in Spain will start and end in Málaga.Your e-mountain bike tour Spain will start on day 1 at Málaga Airport or your H+I recommended hotel. Your guide and/or driver will meet you in the arrivals area of Málaga Airport, or the hotel lobby and he/she will be holding an H+I Adventures sign.
The trip will end back at Málaga Airport on day 8.
We would ask you to arrive at Málaga no later than 12 noon on the first day, and to arrange flights home no earlier than 13:00 on the last day, if possible.
Ideally, you should arrive in Málaga the day before the tour start date, to allow for any flight/ luggage delays, and we have created this handy guide to spending 24 hours in Málaga before the start of E-MTB tour Spain.
On arrival we will transfer you by private shuttle to our first location in Dilar, about 90 minutes’ drive from the airport, and close to the Sierra Nevada National Park.
At the end of your trip, why not stay a little longer? You could spend some time in Granada and visit the world famous Alhambra, an ancient fortress and palace, originally built in AD 889. We suggest you purchase tickets beforehand to skip any queues.
- +Travelling to Spain
Málaga Airport is well-served by international airlines, including: British Airways, Lufthansa, Delta and EasyJet, and you can also connect via Madrid and Barcelona with American Airlines, United Airlines and Iberia.
- +Preparing yourself + your bike for your adventure
Please read the full kit list before you start packing for your E-MTB tour in Spain, so that you have everything you need!The ideal bike for our e-mountain bike tour in Spain is a good quality full-suspension e-mountain bike with around 140mm of travel front and rear.
To get the most out of your e-mountain bike tour in Spain you should plan some training in advance of your tour.
- +Your e- mountain bike guides in Spain
Our local e-mountain bike guides in Spain are of the very highest standard. They are qualified in first-aid, and have the knowledge and experience to lead a group safely around the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra of Andalucía.Our guides have years of experience in the saddle on the Spanish trails and will be able to enhance your holiday with facts and fables on local history, flora and fauna. They’re also genuinely nice people and will do their best to make sure that everyone in the group has a great time.
Meet your expert e-mountain bike guide in Spain, Javier.
- +Accommodation + food
We understand that when you’ve had a big day in the saddle in the Sierra Nevada, you want a warm welcome, hot shower and a comfortable place to relax and unwind – because that’s exactly what we’re looking for too.The majority of accommodation that we use on our E-MTB tour in Spain is family-owned and operated hotels, guest lodges and even comfortable caves. We’ve spent time researching these areas extensively to select the most comfortable and authentic accommodation in the region, and we have carefully planned the itinerary to incorporate these.
Another highlight of our Spanish adventure is the abundance of exceptional local food and drink you’ll enjoy in every town and village along the way. While we encourage you to eat what the locals eat – organic traditional Spanish food – there is also the option of requesting simple recognisable dishes.
- +Health + safety
If you come from an EU member state:
1. You are entitled to free medical and hospital care
Having shown your European Health Card (EHC), you will be seen by a doctor at a local health centre or at your accommodation if you are unable to make the journey. If you need to see a specialist or go into hospital, the doctor will give you the relevant medical certificate or referral. Accident and Emergency services are available at hospitals.
2. You will require your European Health Card (EHC)
With the European Health Card you will receive the same temporary healthcare services as any other Spanish citizen. The expiry date can be found on the European Health Card and it is valid in EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
If you forget your European Health Card (EHC)
You will have to pay any hospital, medical or pharmaceutical bills in advance, and then seek reimbursement from the relevant organisation in your country of origin, providing all receipts.
Some countries do not use the European Health Card yet. If this is the case, you should travel with the relevant document from your country, which has been designated valid until the new card is introduced. In any case, you should contact the relevant office in your country of origin for full details regarding current requirements to receive medical care in Spain.If you come from a non-EU member state:
Countries with bilateral agreements with Spain: Andorra, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Paraguay. You can also receive free medical and hospital attention in case of emergency due to illness or accident. For this you must issue the certificate corresponding to your country. If you have left it behind, you will have to pay any hospital, medical or pharmaceutical bills in advance, so keep the bills and then seek reimbursement of your expenses from the organisation to which you belong.Other countries: Although you will receive medical attention in an emergency, this will be liable for payment. In any case, you should contact the relevant office in your country of origin for full details regarding current requirements to receive medical care in Spain.
It is wise to carry basic medicines such as paracetamol or aspirin for fever and pain and Pepto-Bismol for stomach upset.
You should always consult your own doctor or physician before travelling to new countries to seek their advice on matters concerning your health abroad.
Your health and safety is on tour our top priority so when you travel with us you also have the peace of mind knowing that you will be covered by Global Rescue emergency medical and evacuation services.
- +Currency + foreign exchange
The currency in Spain is the Euro. Most international credit cards will be accepted in main towns, but for meal expenses etc. in smaller towns and villages it is advisable to carry cash.Travellers’ cheques can be exchanged during banking hours, from Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 15:00.
TIPPING
It is not compulsory to tip in Spain, however if you have had a fantastic experience on your E-MTB tour in Spain with us, we suggest a tip of 5% of the cost of your tour should be paid to your guide at the end of the trip, which will then be divided between all drivers, support staff and fixers.
- +Travel insurance
You are required as a condition of booking to be insured against medical and personal accident risks. In this policy you must include cover for e-mountain biking and we advise that you take out a policy which covers trip cancellation and baggage loss/damage.We work closely with WorldNomads who specialise in adventure travel, and you can arrange your insurance cover directly with them.
Please note: our E-mountain bike tour in Spain is a living thing, being influenced by multiple factors such as changing weather conditions, group riding abilities, trail damage, to name a few. Your local guides are experts in guiding mountain bikers in Spain and will be continually assessing these factors and making tweaks to the itinerary where necessary to ensure that every member of the group has the best possible on our E-MTB tour in Spain.
Submit your review | |
We met mountain biking over 25 years ago, and for our 25th year anniversary, we did a private mountain bike tour through the Andalusia mountains. This was a memorable and amazing experience - definitely worth the money. We take back with us priceless memories and new friendships. Our hosts/guides, Cali, Lali and Guille were very accommodating. We got to know quite a bit of the small villages and to experience first hand their everyday routines. They live an amazing life having to make do with the resources around them. The food was tasty, yet simple. It is definitely farm to table and you can taste the freshness in the ingredients. From olive oil tasting, to staying in the highest village in the Sierra Nevadas, to learning about how they make Jamon serrrano/iberico, to riding on trails traveled by the Romans, learning about natural electrolytes for the cattle, staying in a cave, and tasting different artisan wines from the region, the memories/experiences are always going to stay with us. This was one of those bucket list experiences for me, but my husband would like to bring a group to experience this again. Thank you H+I Adventures for planning this trip for us. I highly recommend this company!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) E-mountain bike tour in Spain
- Q. How many people will be in the group?
We only run small group adventures to ensure that everyone has the best experience possible, so we only have a maximum of seven people in each group. The minimum number of people we require to run our E-MTB tour in Spain is five.
- Q. Is this e-mountain bike tour in Spain for a novice?
In short, no. This E-MTB tour in Spain is designed for experienced riders who can mountain bike on varied terrain/ singletrack, or have been using e-mountain bikes for a few years gaining experience on a variety of trails on their e-mountain bikes.
- Q. What’s the age range of people who come on this holiday?
Our e-mountain bike tour Spain caters for a wide age range; typically between 30- and 65-years-old.
- Q. What style of e-mountain biking vacation is it?
This E-MTB tour in Spain is a guided e-mountain biking tour, ideal for intermediate+ e-mountain bikers. Riding here, in the Sierra Nevada and coast of Andalucía you’ll experience some long climbs and rocky descents. The trails are generally very dry and loose, with most climbing done on double track and descents on technical and, in places, flowing singletrack.
- Q. How far will we be e-mountain biking each day?
The distances we cover each day range from 35km to 60km, in accordance with the difficulty of the terrain. Each evening your guides will chat with you about the following day’s e-mountain biking and give you an idea of the sorts of trails you can look forward to. If there’s anything you feel anxious about, your guides will be happy to discuss it with you.
- Q. Do we have to carry all our gear with us?
No, you only need to carry a 20 litre day pack with you whilst riding. We have a support vehicle and driver who will transfer your luggage to your next accommodation each day, and have it ready and waiting for your arrival.
- Q. What if I come across a section of trail I can’t ride?
Your guide will be very happy to give you some e-bike skills advice during your trip to help improve your confidence and your enjoyment of your e-mountain bike tour in Spain. If there is a section that you would prefer not to ride, then you can simply hop off your bike and walk. You won’t be the only one to walk certain sections and it’s not a competition in biking ability; it’s an e-mountain biking holiday!
- Q. Who will be guiding us?
Your e-mountain bike guides are local to Andalucía and experienced professionals who have a real passion for e-mountain biking and for the culture and landscape of Southern Spain. Your safety is their number one priority, closely followed by your enjoyment of the tour. They will always be on-hand to answer any questions or requests you may have throughout your trip. Meet your e-mountain bike guide in Spain…
- Q. What sort of accommodation will we be staying in?
On this e-mountain bike tour in Spain you will be staying in diverse range of wonderful accommodation. From small family-run hotels in mountain villages, to organic farm stays and even luxury caves. The accommodation we have chosen reflects the culture and traditions of the Sierra Nevada and Granada area, and you’ll receive the warmest of welcomes in each and every one.
- Q. Which meals are included in the tour price?
All breakfasts are included in the tour price.
- Q. What type of e-mountain bike is best for the trip?
A good quality full suspension e-mountain bike with 140mm travel will be ideal for this E-MTB tour. The terrain you will be riding is rough in places and you will feel more comfortable on a full suspension bike for the duration of the trip. There can be thorns on the trails in Spain so we recommend that you bring tubeless tyres or tyres with thicker walls and extra thick inner tubes.
If you are planning on flying to Spain and therefore cannot travel with your own e-bike, we have a fleet of full suspension e-mountain bikes to rent in Andalucía.
- Q. What will the weather be like in Spain?
The weather during our E-MTB tour in Spain will typically be very dry and sunny, with daytime riding temperatures around 25C/72F to 30C/86F. We have scheduled our mountain biking adventure at the best times to e-mountain bike in Southern Spain. The climate is very temperate and not too hot, as in the summer months.
- Q. What clothes and kit should I bring?
The daytime and nighttime temperatures vary greatly in Spain, so you must make sure that you have plenty of layers of breathable clothing to ensure that you are always warm enough and can remove a layer if you get too hot, and you should bring a down jacket for the evenings. You should also bring cycling shorts/trousers, gloves, padded undershorts, flip-flops, specific shoes for cycling, sun cream, insect spray, and Advil or Ibuprofen. Read the full kit list to find out what you need to pack for your E-MTB tour in Spain.
- Q. Can I bring a drone with me?
Unfortunately not. We are working hard to provide each and every customer who rides with us an unparalleled e-mountain bike experience in every destination we ride. This takes years of experience, riding and planning to get right, and a drone adds a very real danger to the group’s riding experience and health & safety.
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