Capture the Essence of Spain’s Landscapes
June 15–22, 2024 · 8 Days · Calpe → Granada → Málaga
From the sparkling Mediterranean coastline to the rugged heights of the Sierra Nevada and the sun-baked beauty of Andalucía, the Spain Coast to the Clouds Tour delivered a week of pure riding magic. Three bases, three regions, three flavours of Spain — all tied together by world-class climbs, sunny skies, rich culture and unforgettable food.
Across seven riding days, the group covered everything from hairpin mountain passes to coastal cliff roads, canyon climbs, volcanic-looking rock formations and ancient hilltop towns. Spain revealed itself in full colour — orange groves, limestone peaks, whitewashed villages, and endless blue horizons.
Here’s the full recap of an extraordinary week on two wheels.
📊 Total Distance & Elevation Summary
Total Distance Ridden: 556 km
Total Elevation Gained: 12,500 metres
📍 Our Three Cycling Bases
1️⃣ Calpe – Mediterranean Cliffs & Coastal Classics - The perfect starting point for the tour: warm seas, iconic climbs like Col de Rates and Cumbre del Sol, and smooth roads winding through vineyards, valleys and whitewashed villages.
2️⃣ Granada – Gateway to the Sierra Nevada Mountains - Home to some of the toughest and most breathtaking climbs in Europe. The ascent toward Pico Veleta delivered high-altitude drama, rugged canyon scenery and cooler alpine air.
3️⃣ Málaga – Andalucía’s Rolling Ridges & Sunlit Summits - A vibrant coastal city with access to drier, rugged landscapes. Puerto del León and El Torcal showcased Andalucía’s dramatic geology and sweeping viewpoints.
Climbs of Note:
Calpe Region (Valencian Coast)
- Col de Rates
- Bernia Climb
- Guadalest Climb
- Confrides Pass
- Cumbre del Sol (Vuelta a España climb)
Granada / Sierra Nevada
- Monachil Climb (steep, winding, canyon views)
- Güéjar Sierra Ascent
- El Dornajo
- Hoya de la Mora
- Pico Veleta (highest paved road in Europe – climbed to snow-line conditions)
Málaga / Andalucía
- Puerto del León
- El Torcal Summit Loop (otherworldly rock formations)
- Almogía & Valle de Abdalajís rolling climbs
Tour Highlights
The Spain Coast to the Clouds Tour delivered a week of epic contrasts — from Mediterranean coastlines to soaring mountain passes and wild Andalusian landscapes.
Starting in Calpe, riders tackled some of the region’s most iconic climbs, including Col de Rates, Bernia and the brutally beautiful Cumbre del Sol.
Mornings rolled through citrus groves and vineyard valleys, while afternoons brought cliffside views and the charm of whitewashed villages. One client summed it up perfectly: “Spain doesn’t warm you up… it throws you straight into the good stuff!”
Granada shifted the tour into high mountain mode. The group climbed through canyons and rugged Sierra Nevada foothills toward Hoya de la Mora, with many riders pushing as far up Pico Veleta as conditions allowed — an unforgettable ascent into thin air and lunar-like landscapes. The effort was big, but the reward was bigger. As one client said at the summit café: “This is the closest I’ve ever felt to riding above the world.”
Evenings in Granada’s old quarter, surrounded by flamenco rhythms and Alhambra views, added cultural depth to the adventure.
The final chapter unfolded in Málaga, where rolling countryside, sun-baked ridges and dramatic geological formations transformed every kilometre into a new discovery. The climbs to Puerto del León and the surreal summit of El Torcal delivered some of the best riding views in Andalucía. The descent into Valle de Abdalajís was a crowd favourite — fast, flowing and framed by golden rock. One client captured the mood of the final days: “Every day felt completely different, but every day felt like Spain at its best.”
Across seven riding days, the group covered over 556 km and climbed more than 12,500 metres, but the numbers only scratch the surface of the experience. What truly defined this tour was the camaraderie, the shared laughs over tapas, the encouragement on long climbs, and the awe-inspiring landscapes that shifted with every region. In the end, the Coast to the Clouds Tour lived up to its name — a journey from the sea, through Spain’s heartlands, and into the mountains where clouds felt almost within reach.
