Contents
- 1 Tour Description
- 2 Daily Tour Overview
- 2.1 Day 1 – Granada: Sierra Nevada awaits!
- 2.2 Day 2 – Europe’s Highest Asphalted Road
- 2.3 Day 3 – La Pandera climb!
- 2.4 Day 4 – Cazorla & Puerto de Tiscar!
- 2.5 Day 5 – Palomas climb and down to Tranco reservoir
- 2.6 Day 6 – El Yelmo & KOM points!
- 2.7 Day 7 – Cycle into UNESCO Baeza
- 2.8 Day 8 – Transfer to Cordoba – Goodbyes!
- 3 Cycling Tour Grading
- 4 Dates & Prices
- 5 Tour Map – Granada Vuelta Peaks
- 6 Your Granada Cycling Guide
Tour Description
11-18 October 2025 – ENQUIRE TODAY – This Granada Vuelta Peaks road bike tour will showcase the best of the Sierra Nevada and Sierra de Cazorla natural parks. These two parks in Southern Spain host some of the most epic stages from the ‘Vuelta a España’ and ‘Vuelta a Andalucia’ pro races. The cycling tour even includes the highest asphalted road in Europe: ‘Pico de Veleta’ the biggest challenge standing at 3296m. Yes that’s right, a good 500m higher than ‘Iseran’ in the French Alps and ‘Stelvio Pass’ in the Italian Alps.
Click here for more GRANADA VUELTA PEAKS tour photos
This 7 night guided tour starts in Granada and finishes in Cordoba, which are home to two of Andalucia’s most emblematic sites (La Alhambra & La Mezquita respectively). Granada Vuelta Peaks will suit road cycling enthusiasts who are looking for a challenge that rivals anything that can be found in the Pyrenees, French/Italian Alps or Dolomites!

Daily Tour Overview
Day 1 – Granada: Sierra Nevada awaits!
We will collect you from Granada train station/airport during the morning. Following lunch our Sierra guides will complete a bike fitting so you are ready for the warm-up ride. Cycling out of Granada the aim is to reach the ‘Puerto de Los Blancares’ climb before turning and riding home. From Granada this is a climb in the Sierra Nevada foothills. It is 20km long and gradually rises to 1297m elevation at an average gradient of 3%. There are some short sections with 6-8% slopes to wake you up for the days to come. Tonight the team will go through a tour briefing with you all. A big week awaits!
Distance: 50km / Meals: Dinner Included / Sleep: Granada
Day 2 – Europe’s Highest Asphalted Road
Today the goal is to cycle the highest asphalted road in Europe. The ‘Pico de Veleta’ climb really has everything that the hardened cycling aficionado is looking for: a 40km continuous climb, an altitude gain of approximately 2650m and an average grade of 6.5%. No wonder this unique cycling ascent is known as ‘The Everest of European Mountain Passes’. At the 2750m altitude mark the signpost is sandblasted, testimony to the severe mountain conditions that batter this area during winter. You are sharing company with famous mountain passes such as Gavia, Galibier, Stelvio, Agnello, Iseran or Bonette which are the authentic myths of our cycling sport. We pay our respect to these climbs but appreciate that with over 500m of elevation gain still awaiting the challenge is still in front of us. Are you ready for Veleta and the challenge to reach 3300m elevation?
Distance: 70 or 95km options/ Meals: Breakfast Included / Sleep: Granada
Day 3 – La Pandera climb!
Cycling from Granada to Jaen province encounters what seems to be an endless valley of olive groves. This is all thanks to the Phoenicians who brought the olive tree to Andalusia around 3000 years ago. Now that you are in the heart of olive country the locals are proud of their ‘La Pandera’ climb. It is a brutal 9km Vuelta climb which averages 8% and includes around 20 steep ramps between 12-18%. In fact, a 2km continuous stretch between KM 4-6 averages nearly 13% which for most amateurs makes for a very testing 15-20min on the bike. You will not forget ‘La Pandera’!
Distance: 115km / Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included / Sleep: Cazorla
Day 4 – Cazorla & Puerto de Tiscar!
This is our favourite ‘road cycling’ route in Cazorla natural park and is a classic straight from Stage 7 of the 2018 Vuelta a España (La Vuelta). The challenge for today is the Puerto de Tiscar climb. ´Tiscar´ is a Category 2 climb (10km with a constant 6% grade) which offers amazing views of the surrounding valleys and peaks. For those looking for an adventure we have a detour through an amazing ‘grand canyon-esque’ landscape which makes for some fantastic photography. Tonight you will have plenty of time to enjoy the charming town of Cazorla. Eating in the main bar below the Yedra castle is where you will find the Sierra team!
Distance: 95km / Meals: Breakfast Included / Sleep: Cazorla
Day 5 – Palomas climb and down to Tranco reservoir
The Sierra Cazorla reserve is a dream cycling destination and today you will understand even further why this is such a special place. Departing Cazorla and the route passes the ‘Puerto de las Palomas’ climb. This 14km climb ascends 375m at an average grade of 2.5%. It has been used on a number of occasions during La Vuelta a Andalucia and La Vuelta a España professional races. This pass boasts spectacular views over the Guadalquivir Valley but is also an interesting spot to take out the binoculars and look for eagles and falcons. What now follows is a flowing descent down to the turquoise coloured waters of the Tranco reservoir. A beautiful ride which dissects the heart of the Cazorla natural park.
Distance: 110km / Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included / Sleep: Segura de la Sierra
Day 6 – El Yelmo & KOM points!
Today’s ride takes you up to the highest point in the Cazorla natural park. ‘El Yelmo’ rises up to 1800m altitude and our route breaks the ascent by climbing from the eastern plateau. For most the true test comes in the final 3km where the gradient never drops below 10% and there are many 12-15% ramps to contend with. A spectacular finish which sees no less than 6 stunning switchbacks in the final kilometre and 360 degree views at the summit. Just for good measure El Yelmo was used as a Category 1 climb during Stage 3 of the 2021 Vuelta a Andalusia road race!
Distance: 85km / Meals: Breakfast Included / Sleep: Segura de la Sierra
Day 7 – Cycle into UNESCO Baeza
The final ride on tour is another hotel to hotel ride. The aim is to spend as much time as possible in the natural environment and enjoy the quiet roads. Today’s ride has a little bit of everything but all in small pinches. A fantastic flowing descent, cruisy kilometres along the meandering Guadalquivir River, a short 5km climb, a flat 10km time trial section, a 2km compacted gravel section before a final 7km summit finish up in UNESCO Baeza. Baeza is one of our favourite towns in Andalucia. It was awarded its UNESCO rating thanks to its Renaissance Spain style buildings and architecture. Tonight we will celebrate what has been a great week of cycling following some of the best roads raced by the professional cyclists. Viva La Vuelta!
Distance: 125km / Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included / Sleep: Baeza
Day 8 – Transfer to Cordoba – Goodbyes!
After breakfast we would be pleased to offer a complimentary transfer to Cordoba which is a beautiful city and famous for its mesmerising mosque; ‘La Mezquita’! Cordoba is located on the fast AVE train line between Malaga and Madrid. Cordoba is only 1hr to Malaga and 1hr 45min to Madrid by fast train.
Meals: Breakfast included
Cycling Tour Grading

Dates & Prices
Dates | 11-18 October 2025 |
Duration | 7 nights / 8 days |
Price (per person & twin share) | 2500 € |
Bike Hire |
Carbon Road Bike (rim) – 200€ Carbon Road Bike (disc) – 300€ E-Road Bike (disc) – 550€ |
Single Room Supplement | 450 € |
5% Discount for Groups of 4 or more!
Go Private: Round-up some Friends & Ask Us for a Customised Package!
Tour Map – Granada Vuelta Peaks
Your Granada Cycling Guide
If you are planning a southern Spain cycling holiday then click on the following link as the team at Epic Road Rides has put together a fantastic Granada Cycling Guide. We were pleased to support by adding some local knowledge to what is an epic European cycling destination!