Destination Guide
Cycling in Costa Almeria
Europe's driest cycling paradise. Desert landscapes, winter sun, and the mighty Alto de Velefique — Almeria's answer to the cols of Mallorca.
Last updated: 12 March 2026
- Terrain
- Road, Climbing, Gravel, Touring
- Difficulty
- Easy — Expert
- Road Quality
- Good
- Cycling Culture
- Growing
- Pro Team Presence
- Several WorldTour and ProTeam squads use Almeria for January and February training camps, attracted by guaranteed sun and the altitude options of the Sierra de los Filabres and Calar Alto observatory road.
- Traffic
- Low
Best Time to Cycle in Costa Almeria
Costa Almeria is Europe's driest region, receiving less than 200mm of annual rainfall — less than the Sahara receives in some years. This makes it uniquely reliable for winter cycling in a way that even Mallorca cannot match. January through April delivers near-guaranteed sunshine with temperatures of 14-20°C at sea level and 5-10°C at altitude on the Sierra de los Filabres — cold enough to require a gilet on summit descents but perfectly rideable throughout the day. The region reaches peak form in February and March, when almond blossom colours the lower slopes and the high mountain roads are typically free of snow. May remains excellent before summer heat builds. July and August are genuinely hostile — 38-42°C in the Tabernas basin makes serious road cycling dangerous without extreme early starts. October and November bring the year's second window of ideal conditions, with summer heat broken and the winter tourist influx yet to materialise. December is serviceable but occasionally cold at altitude.
Temperature: 4°C (winter) to 42°C (summer)
Best Cycling Climbs in Costa Almeria
Alto de Velefique
20.5km · 1360m · 6.6% · HC
The defining climb of Costa Almeria cycling and one of the great unsung ascents of southern Spain. The road climbs from the Andarax valley floor near Abla (altitude ~900m) to the village of Velefique at 1,900m+ through a landscape of extraordinary desolation — bare limestone ridgelines, abandoned terraces, and the occasional abandoned cortijo. The gradient is relentless: the first 12km average 6-7% with few respites, before the upper section ramps through a series of elongated hairpins where the gradient regularly touches 10-14%. The road surface is excellent throughout, resurfaced within the past decade and carrying almost no traffic. The panoramic views from the upper slopes across the Tabernas desert toward the Mediterranean are genuinely breathtaking on clear winter days. This is an HC climb in every meaningful sense — comparable in length and total elevation to mid-range Pyrenean passes but ridden in near-total solitude.
Calar Alto (Observatory Road)
22km · 1500m · 6.8% · HC
The highest paved road in Almeria province, climbing to the Calar Alto astronomical observatory at 2,168m on the Sierra de los Filabres plateau. The ascent from Gérgal takes the full measure of the range — 22km of consistent climbing through pine forest and open moorland, with the observatory domes appearing on the skyline a full 5km before the summit road arrives. The gradient averages 6.8% with several sustained sections at 10-12% as the road gains the upper plateau. Above 1,800m the landscape becomes genuinely alpine: cold, exposed, and strewn with glacially-smoothed rock. The road is open to cyclists year-round but can carry light snow in January — check conditions if visiting mid-winter. In clear conditions, the summit views extend from the Sierra Nevada to the west and the Mediterranean coast to the south.
Sierra de los Filabres — Bacares Loop
14.5km · 820m · 5.7% · CAT1
The Sierra de los Filabres offers the most sustained and varied climbing terrain in Almeria province, and the Bacares approach from the northern Almanzora valley is the most rewarding single ascent on this flank of the range. The road climbs from Tíjola (560m) through the village of Bacares (1,204m) and continues to the open plateau at 1,400m, where a network of quiet lanes connects to Velefique, Calar Alto, and the descent toward Gérgal. The gradient is consistent and rarely punishing, making it an ideal climb for building tempo or threshold efforts over an extended period. The Filabres pines create almost complete canopy cover for the lower third of the climb — welcome shade in spring and autumn. The Bacares village itself, clustered around a ruined Moorish castle, is a genuine high point of any cycling day in Almeria.
Cabo de Gata Coastal Climb (La Isleta del Moro)
8.2km · 310m · 3.8% · CAT3
Cabo de Gata — Spain's only desert national park — provides a completely different cycling experience from the Sierra climbs: short, punchy ascents over volcanic headlands with the Mediterranean always in view. The route from San José to La Isleta del Moro and beyond follows the park's internal road, climbing and descending over successive rocky promontories. The gradients are sharp but brief — typically 8-11% for 300-500m before dropping back to flat coastal sections. The road is narrow, in reasonable condition, and carries minimal traffic outside peak summer weekends. The landscape — black volcanic rock, white beaches, and intense blue water — is unlike anywhere else on mainland Spain's coastline.
Puerto de la Ragua
17.5km · 1160m · 6.6% · CAT1
Sitting on the boundary between Almeria and Granada provinces, Puerto de la Ragua (2,041m) is the highest paved mountain pass in Andalucia and one of the most significant climbs in southern Spain. The Almeria-side ascent from La Calahorra begins at approximately 1,000m and climbs through the eastern Sierra Nevada foothills on consistently well-graded roads. The pass itself marks the transition between the arid Almeria landscape and the greener Granada side — a dramatic geographical and visual contrast in under 18km. The road is paved throughout and in good condition. Winter closures can occur after heavy snowfall (typically rare below 1,800m, but the summit can be snow-covered December through March in cold years). At 2,041m, this is proper high-altitude work that rewards with views across the Marquesado plateau toward the Mediterranean and, on clear days, the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.
Insider Tips
- The Tabernas desert — Europe's only true desert and the location of countless spaghetti western film sets — sits directly on the route between Almeria city and the Sierra de los Filabres. Riding through it on the A-348 corridor before the road begins climbing is one of cycling's more surreal experiences: cactus, dried riverbeds, and movie-set facades visible from the road.
- Base yourself in Almeria city rather than the coastal resorts for access to the best climbing. The city sits at sea level with the A-348 climbing corridor beginning just 10km from the centre — you can be at 500m of altitude within 45 minutes of leaving your hotel without requiring a car transfer.
- January and February are Almeria's secret weapons. While Mallorca fills with training camp cyclists and Costa Blanca prices spike, Almeria offers the same winter sun, better climbing, and a fraction of the crowds. The roads above Tabernas can be completely empty on weekday mornings — a genuinely rare experience in southern European cycling.
- The almond blossom season — typically mid-January through February depending on the year — turns the lower mountain slopes above Almeria into one of southern Spain's most beautiful cycling landscapes. The pink-white blossom against the terracotta earth and blue sky is a combination that has no equivalent in Mallorca or the Costa Blanca.
- Andalucian café culture runs later than cyclists are accustomed to in northern Europe. Most village bars open by 08:00 but the full breakfast service — tostada con aceite y tomate, café con leche — runs until 11:00 or later. Plan café stops accordingly and resist the temptation to rush: a proper Andalucian breakfast is part of the experience.
How to Get to Costa Almeria for Cycling
Nearest Airports
Almeria Airport(LEI)
Transfer: 15-25 minutes
The most convenient option for cycling Almeria, just 9km east of the city centre. Direct flights operate from London (Gatwick, Luton), Manchester, and several other UK and northern European cities — primarily via Ryanair and Jet2, with schedules heavily weighted toward summer but year-round service available. Bike bag handling is standard. Transfer to Almeria city is 15 minutes by taxi; hire cars are available at the terminal. For winter training camp visits, confirm flight availability in January-February specifically as some routes operate reduced winter frequencies.
Malaga Airport(AGP)
Transfer: 2 hours by car
The primary alternative with the widest choice of flights from across Europe, including frequent year-round service from all major UK airports, Dublin, and northern European hubs. Hire car from Malaga and driving the A-7/E-15 coastal motorway to Almeria takes approximately 2 hours (190km). The drive itself can be extended into a scenic route through the Axarquía hills if arriving with time to explore. Many cyclists use Malaga arrivals to begin their trip with a day in the Axarquía or Nerja area before driving east to Almeria.
Murcia International Airport (Corvera)(RMU)
Transfer: 1.5-2 hours by car
A useful alternative for northern Almeria and Sierra de los Filabres routes, with Ryanair operating flights from several UK and Irish airports. The drive south from Murcia via the A-7 reaches Lorca and then the northern Almeria approaches (Huércal-Overa, Vélez-Rubio) in approximately 90 minutes. Fewer direct routes than Malaga but typically cheaper fares and a significantly less congested airport experience.
Getting around: Car Recommended — Almeria city and the coastal towns of Roquetas de Mar and Aguadulce work as sea-level bases with direct access to the coastal routes and initial ascents into the Sierra Nevada foothills. A hire car significantly expands the range of starting points — particularly for reaching the Sierra de los Filabres villages (Velefique, Fiñana) and the Cabo de Gata national park. Almeria airport is compact and hire car collection is straightforward. If basing in Almeria city, the A-348 corridor into the mountains is accessible directly from the outskirts.
Best Cyclist-Friendly Hotels in Costa Almeria
Hotel Catedral Almeria
Hotel · Mid Range · Bike storage
A well-positioned hotel in central Almeria city with secure bike storage and direct access to the A-348 corridor that leads through the Tabernas desert and up into the Sierra de los Filabres. The city centre location provides the full range of evening restaurant and café options after demanding climbing days.
Hotel Alcazaba de Busot
Hotel · Premium · Bike storage
A boutique hotel in the Almeria province with a dedicated cycling programme, carbon bike hire, guided rides on the Velefique and Calar Alto routes, and secure workshop-equipped bike storage. Positioned to serve the serious cyclist market drawn to Almeria's winter training conditions.
Appartamentos Sol y Mar Roquetas de Mar
Aparthotel · Budget
Budget self-catering apartments in the coastal resort of Roquetas de Mar, suitable for cyclists bringing their own bikes who want to minimise accommodation costs while training in Almeria in winter. No formal bike storage but apartment-level security and private lockable doors.
Hotel Villa Jerez Almeria
Hotel · Premium · Bike storage
A design boutique hotel on the edge of Almeria city with a secure garage suitable for bike storage and proximity to the cycling corridor heading north toward Tabernas and the Sierra de los Filabres. Popular with WorldTour team support staff during January and February training camp periods.
Cortijo Las Piletas
Villa · Mid Range · Bike storage
A rural cortijo (Andalucian farmhouse) in the Almeria interior near Gérgal, with a garage for bike storage and a position that puts the Calar Alto and Velefique climbs within 15km of the front gate. Home-cooked Andalucian meals and complete quiet make this an outstanding base for focused training weeks.