Cycling route from Málaga to Sierra de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama
3-Day Bikepacking Route from Málaga: Sierra de Tejeda and the East Coast
235km 3693hm
We present a two-day circular route across the provinces of Málaga and Granada, designed to explore the Natural Park of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama. The route crosses a rugged mountain landscape that contrasts with high plains and open valleys, and passes through several historic towns along the way. This area is well known among local cyclists from Málaga and Granada, but remains relatively less explored by international visitors. It then returns toward Málaga along the eastern coastline, offering a different perspective at the end of the journey.
As overnight points, two natural bases work well along the route.
The first is Alhama de Granada, a town with notable historical and cultural significance, set above a dramatic gorge and surrounded by scenic inland landscapes. Its combination of heritage, scenery, and a calm atmosphere makes it a logical and memorable midpoint of the journey.
For the coastal overnight stay, you can choose either Almuñécar or Nerja. Both towns lie naturally along the final section of the route and offer a pleasant combination of seaside views, local culture and comfortable accommodation options – a fitting way to end the second day before returning toward Málaga.
This is a beautiful bikepacking route that works well with road, trekking, and gravel bikes.
Day 1
You begin the route along the coast, heading east from Málaga. After a gentle warm-up beside the Mediterranean, the route turns inland toward Axarquía – a rural region known for its subtropical climate, mango and avocado fields, and a mix of small villages and agricultural landscapes.
The route passes through the lively town of Vélez-Málaga, an historic inland town with the remains of an Arab fortress. As the road begins to climb toward the mountains, the Viñuela lake appears to your left. Along the way, you pass traditional ventas and quiet villages – simple, characteristic elements of countryside travel in this part of Andalusia.
As elevation increases, the road winds toward one of the most notable mountain passes in the region: Ventas de Zafarraya – a natural corridor climbing between two rocky walls and a well-known ascent among local cyclists. After crossing this gateway, the route leaves Málaga province and enters Granada, where the landscape opens into wide high plains framed by distant mountain ranges.
The road continues gently across open countryside until reaching Alhama de Granada, set above its dramatic gorge and known for its historical heritage and thermal springs. Spending the night here works well, as it forms a natural and well-balanced end to the first day.
Alhama de Granada
Alhama de Granada is a town with a rich and layered history and was an important economic and cultural centre within the Nasrid Emirate of Granada. Thanks to its fertile surroundings, thermal waters and strategic location inside the kingdom, the town played a significant role in regional trade, administration and daily life, and still carries visible traces of different historical periods.
Perched dramatically on the edge of a deep gorge, Alhama combines medieval architecture, wide open views and a centuries-old tradition of thermal baths that have shaped its identity since antiquity.
Just below the old quarter lies the impressive Tajo canyon, opening suddenly into a vertical landscape of cliffs and greenery. A short walk along the cliffside trail can be a pleasant addition to the day – especially if you enjoy small hiking loops alongside a cycling route. In autumn, the canyon fills with golden leaves, a rare sight in Andalucía that gives Alhama a particularly distinctive atmosphere.
There are two main options to spend a night in Alhama de Granada. You can either book your stay in the very center of town, with shops, bars and restaurants nearby. Or you can book your stay in the outskirts, near the famous Hotel & Spa Balneario de Alhama, staying at the hotel or at the rural houses close by. The are also free thermal pools by the river that flows next to the hotel.
Alhama de Granada is well worth a visit. In addition to its known Spa, it has historical buildings with over 500 years of history, such as the Iglesia Mayor, the Old Prison, the Inquisition House, or the Queen’s Hospital.
It’s a special place – calm, historically rich and closely connected to its natural surroundings – and a very natural choice for an overnight stay on this route.
Day 2
The second day begins on the high plateau in Granada province, following quiet rural roads toward Embalse de los Bermejales – a green-blue reservoir surrounded by pine forests. From here, the scenery gradually becomes more rugged as you approach the start of La Carretera de la Cabra, the historic mountain road that once connected Granada with the Mediterranean coast. This section is one of the highlights of the entire route. The road runs along dramatic cliffs and deep ravines, with wide views across the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama.
Before reaching the sea, you’ll come across several traditional ventas (simple roadside cafés and eateries common in rural Andalucía), perfect for a short break to take in the scenery and pause along the way.
The road then passes through the small white villages of Otívar and Jete. Shortly after, the mountains begin to open and the sea comes back into view, marking your return to the coastline.
You can choose to stop for the night in:
Almuñécar
A lively coastal town with a historic centre, sea-view promenades, tropical fruit orchards, and a strong cycling culture. Beautiful coves are just minutes away, and there’s always a good place for dinner.
Nerja
A favourite among travellers for its old town, coves, and the famous Balcón de Europa viewpoint. Charming, walkable, with an easy atmosphere – perfect for relaxing after a long descent.
Either town makes an ideal overnight stop before the final coastal ride.
Day 3
The final day follows the Mediterranean coastline – a relaxed and mostly flat ride along the historic N-340, the Carretera del Mediterráneo, a coastal road that connects Spanish towns along the Mediterranean coastline. This section offers an easy rhythm and open sea views, making it a gentle way to complete the journey.
The route passes through Maro, with its elevated viewpoints above the coast. If you wish to include a cultural stop, the Cueva de Nerja lies very close to the route. Tickets should be booked in advance – it is well worth a visit if time allows.
From here, the route continues through a sequence of coastal towns, leading through Torrox Costa and on toward Torre del Mar. If, for any reason, you don’t manage to visit the Nerja caves, another remarkable geological site awaits on the way back toward Málaga: Cueva del Tesoro, one of the few marine caves in Europe.
As you approach Málaga, you can end your trip with a relaxed lunch or dinner in one of the seaside chiringuitos – beach restaurants – in El Palo, enjoying fresh fish right by the water.
It’s a calm and fitting closing chapter – sea breeze, steady rhythm, and the sense of completing a varied three-day journey through mountains, valleys, villages and the Mediterranean shore.
Optional Extension – Turning the Route into a 4-Day Adventure
If you wish to extend this loop, it connects naturally with our Riogordo route. By riding the Riogordo loop in the opposite direction, both itineraries can be linked smoothly, transforming the journey into an attractive four-day cycling adventure across Andalusia.
This two-day route is based on our former Ventas de Zafarraya road cycling route on the old Escapada website. Parts of this loop are also familiar to local cyclists, as the climb towards Ventas de Zafarraya has long been a popular ascent in the region. In this updated version, we re-framed the experience into a slower, more immersive Travel & Adventure route, while keeping the same wider geography – Zafarraya, Axarquía, Alfarnate and Montes de Málaga – to ensure continuity and preserve search relevance.
Images and text by Escapada Cycling & María Giner