Cycling from Granada to Córdoba (Camino mozarabe)

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Cycling from Granada to Córdoba

This bike tour gives you the opportunity to connect the cities of Granada and Córdoba with their world cultural heritages: the marvelous palace of the “Alhambra” in Granada and the astounding Great Mosque-Cathedral in the “Mezquita” in Córdoba. Betake a journey through time and across unique landscapes and natural reserves that feature along the way. Ride your bike through landscapes with tranquil hills of olive groves, holm-oak woods, vegetable gardens and vineyards, rushing streams, imposing watchtowers, proud castles, impeccable farmhouses and humble farmsteads, all giving the backdrop to an unforgettable visit. Enjoy the villages, castles, churches and towns that stretch before you just waiting to be discovered, such as Moclín, Tózar, Alcalá la Real, Alcaudete, Zuheros, Castro del Río, EspejoBaena, that now give their name to some of the world’s finest olive oil. You will find them the perfect place to relax and recover lost energy with the best food and wines this region has to offer.

Feel the history on every kilometer, and even at night, when you sleep in a charming restored village house or just in front of the Mosque (Mezquita)!

The Mozarab Way to Santiago 

The Camino de Santiago or St. James Way , is the pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in north-western Spain. Legend has it that the remains of the apostle, Saint James the Great, are buried here. As pilgrims traditionally started their journey from their own home, different Camino ways emerged over the years. Probably one of the most ancient Pilgrim’s ways in Spain is this one: The Mozarabic Way to Santiago. The name honors Christians (called Mozarabs) who were living in the Muslim territory of Al-Andalus and knew about the discovery of the remains of the Apostle Santiago in Compostela. They risked their lives to travel to Santiago, on the immense distance that separated them from the South to the remains of the Apostle. They not only had to cross on foot Al-Andalus, they still had to take the Via de la Plata traveling  through Castilian lands to reach the north of the Peninsula. This route will follow for about 145 km more or less the Camino Mozárabe between Granada and Córdoba, although you will not always cycle exactly on the Camino.

Some parts are good for walking but not for cycling, because of abrupt uphill or technically more difficult riding. Particularly after rain, these parts are not possible to do on a bike. On this route from Granada to Córdoba, we assure you will ride on the best tracks, Greenways, and quiet roads and still pass the same villages and towns as the Camino, sometimes crossing the Camino, sometimes riding close to it and sometimes riding on it!

Day 1: Arrival Granada

Day 1: Arrival Granada

From  Málaga or Granada airport you will take the local comfortable bus to Granada city, where you will stay in a cozy hotel in the historical center of the town. You can stroll around the cathedral and its old silk market, take some drinks and be invited to the rich tapas. Finally, we suggest you experience an authentic flamenco show to get you ready for a journey, which has only just begun.


Day 2: Granada, Alhambra, private transfer to Tózar

Day 2: Granada, Alhambra, private transfer to Tózar

Today you can explore the city and the amazing Alhambra: This Palace/Fortress, residence of the Nasrid Sultans will awake your affection for the city (tickets not included, book in advance). Delightful little corners, palaces and gardens abound in its old neighborhoods, along with a multitude of tapas bars, restaurants and wine houses... All this will bring you to love a city that is as full of life as it is of history and poetry. Late in the afternoon you will be collected at your hotel and will be brought in 45 minutes to the small village of Tózar, where you will stay in the friendly hosted Rincón de Marcelo. Here you get the bikes. You can make a short stroll to the anthropomorphic tombs dug out of the rock and the remains of a defensive system set up during the Spanish Civil War the tombs and remaining of the Civil War before you enjoy the home-made dinner.


Day 3: Tózar-Fuente del Rey / Alcalá, 24-26 km, 520-570 m ascend

Day 3: Tózar-Fuente del Rey / Alcalá, 24-26 km, 520-570 m ascend

After breakfast, you cycle first to the neigbour village of Limones. Then you will leave the asphalt and continue on unpaved roads with ups and downs towards Casillas de Gumiel. From here you continue on tarmac roads, the landscape changes and you ride between fields of cereal crops which are full of poppies in springtime! You come to Fuente del Rey (The Kings’ fountain), where you can stay in a B&B, or 2km further in Alcalá la Real, depending on the availability. Here you can visit the majestic "La Mota" fortress with its thick castle walls, imposing towers and the old cathedral built by the reconquering Christians within its confines defending the town of Alcalá.


Day 4: Alcalá la Real - Alcaudete - Zuheros 59/30-40 km

Day 4: Alcalá la Real – Alcaudete – Zuheros 59/30-40 km

You leave Alcalá by a trail or by the old tarmac road, you choose what you prefer, to Castillo Locubín. (after 12 km). You can have a drink here (in the park of the village are 2 bars) before heading to Alcaudete. A good downhill brings you to the San Juan river, which you will follow. Alcaudete is a perfect place for lunch. From Alcaudete you head down to the Greenway "Vía Verde" (an old railway line), which you follow riding comfortably flat for about 24 km. You will coming along the Salt Lake (maybe you can see flamingos!). After passing the  Luque station, where you can have lunch in an old wooden train wagon, you can decide to leave the Greenway and continue the tarmac road to the village of Luque  and then cycle almost flat towards the beautiful village of Zuheros. Overnight in a beautiful restored farmhouse now a rural 4-star hotel! A long stage, but you can also travel with the luggage transport and skip the first part, making it a 30 or 40 km stage.          


Day 5: Zuheros – Castro del Río / Espejo, 38/47 km, 250m/545m ascend

Day 5: Zuheros –  Castro del Río / Espejo, 38/47 km, 250m/545m ascend

Today you cycle easily via Baena to Castro del Río / Espejo. First you head back on the Greenway to the Luque station. Here you take the bridge over the road and the Greenway to Baena after total 18 km, where you can have a second breakfast (Spanish people take this around 11:00). The typically breakfast here is bread with tomato and olive oil! Ypu can visit also the Museum of the Olive Culture before continuing on a quiet road  to Castro del Río, a village famous for the local crafts as furniture made from olive wood, which has been exported as far as Japan. In case your accommodation is in Espejo you continue uphill to the next village Espejo, with the magnificent Castillo de Alcalat, built in the early fourteenth century. You will stay in a charming rehabilitated village house in the historical centre.


Day 6: Castro / Espejo-Córdoba 43km/47km & 530m/557m ascends

Day 6: Castro / Espejo-Córdoba 43km/47km & 530m/557m ascends

After breakfast, you can either go by taxi to Córdoba (normally 10:00 o’clock) or you can cycle on a beautiful quiet country road with hardly any traffic but with some climbs to come to the Roman bridge of Córdoba. Visit the stunning Mosque with a catholic cathedral inside! Enjoy a walk through the old Jewish quarter to see its beautiful patios and have tapas in its inns. Or join an spectacular flamenco show!


Day 7: End of the journey in Córdoba

Day 7: End of the journey in Córdoba

After breakfast in the hotel your trip will be over and by bus or train you can get to Granada, Málaga, Sevilla or Madrid.



Accommodation with breakfast

Included

6 days


Information on the trip

Included

6 days


Luggage transport

Included

5 days


Transfer to the starting point

Included


Telephone helpline

Included

7 days

Services not included


Bike rental with delivery & collection

Not Included

250€

4 days


E-Bike rental with delivery and collection

Not Included

335€

4 days


Supplement for single occupation

Not Included

115/175€

6 nights


Extra night in Granada

Not Included

depending on the date from 40€

1 night


Supplement for Boutique hotel in Espejo

Not Included

supplement 30€

1 night


Flamenco show

Not Included

25€

Quality flamenco show (ca 1,5-2 hours), with guitar, singing and dancers. One drink included.


supplement high season

Not Included

70€

27 February to 25 June, and 26 August and 1 November

Questions about the travel

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Cobbled Streets Granada

The cobbled streets of Granada: mosaic of pebbles

Roman Bridge Cordoba

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