Between volcanoes and cactus (Cabo de Gata)

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Type of Tour

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Difficulty Level

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Duration

4 days, 3 nights

Departure - Destination

Almeria - Rodalquilar

Number of participants

6 viajeros

Price from

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The Cabo de Gata Nature Reserve has besides wild cliffs with spectacular views, natural and paradisiacal beaches like the famous Genoveses or Mónsul, and other small coves only reachable by foot. Wherever we look, within the Nature park, there are traces of volcanic activity, erosion and sedimentation. Volcanism has in Cabo de Gata its most important manifestation in Spain. We will cycle through a landscape of great geological variety, product of this volcanism with castings lava domes or fossil beaches, between agaves and cactus, typical of a semiarid climate unique in Europe. Despite the semi-arid conditions, the soil of Cabo de Gata hosts a rich flora that has adapted to the rain-starved environment. Some of the approximately 1,000 species of vascular plants are endemic to the park and Europe’s only native palm, the dwarf fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) thrives here. The climate is perfect for cycling and hiking in winter time with an average temperature of about 19 °C and an average annual rainfall of 156 mm!
The villages we will cycle through are special too! Maybe you will recognize Los Albaricoques as being the pueblo of Agua Caliente in the westerns of Sergio Leone. While cycling to Rodalquilar, an old mining town, we will pass some old gold mines! And what about the small typical fishing village Isleta de Moro? The small boats near the beach, the white houses of modest fishermen and the extraordinary peace in most parts of the year…an excellent place to try fried or grilled fresh fish!
Come with us on a bike, disconnect and enjoy the great views of the cliffs and over the crystal-clear water.

Arrival Almeria

Arrival Almeria

Almería can be reached by train, bus, plane or private car. The old train station is from 1893,and a perfect example of iron and glass architecture. The city was founded by Caliph Abd-ar-Rahman III of Cordoba in 955 bC. It was to be a principal harbour in his extensive domain to strengthen his Mediterranean defences. Its Moorish castle (Alcazaba), a medieval fortress that was begun in the 10th century but mostly destroyed by an earthquake in 1522, is the second largest among the Muslim fortresses of Andalusia, after the Alhambra. Nowadays a modern Spanish city, where you can enjoy the mild climate, the tapas and the view of the sea. We will have dinner together with the guide.

Almería-San Miguel de Cabo de Gata-Los Escullos-Rodalquilar, 40 km

Almería-San Miguel de Cabo de Gata-Los Escullos-Rodalquilar, 40 km

After breakfast, short transfer to the nearby village of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata, where we take our bikes and cycle along the Salt Lake and have our first climb which will be rewarded with great views. After a great downhill towards the light house we start the next and steeper climb to have even better views on to San José and the beautiful beaches of the Nature Park. We will have a break on the beach of Monsul, with the petrified tongue of lava, famous for a scene of the movie Indiana Jones and the last Crusade of Steven Spielberg. We continue cycling now between agaves and wind mills towards San José, good for another break. Along a beautiful trail we reach Pozo de los Frailes and Los Escullos where we can find the first defensive fortress against the pirates. We continue cycling for about 5 km on a tarmac road along the famous viewpoint la Amatista to the valley of Rodalquilar, a former crater. Here we find our hotel, beautifully located. Dinner in the hotel ****

Rodalquilar, circular 40 km

Rodalquilar, circular 40 km

After breakfast, we leave Rodalquilar cycling between old gold mines! Rodalquilar, the old mining town which still retains the old mine houses, is now a quiet village. We cycle along the installations of the gold winning, along the abandoned mining village San Diego towards Los Albaricoques, a village used in several westerns for example A fistful of Dollars (Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood). After a coffee here surrounded by photos of the famous movies, we continue a dry riverbed which will bring us to the Caldera or Crater of Majada Redonda. This is one of the Parks’ most striking volcanic landscapes. Finally, we reach the beautiful fisher men village of Isleta de Moro, where we can have a well-deserved lunch before returning to our hotel in Rodalquilar. Dinner in the hotel.  

Rodalquilar, end

Rodalquilar, end

After breakfast we will cycle towards the famous Playazo, a marvellous golden sand beach, from where we can see the San Roman Fortress. Then it’s time to say goodbye as this get-away comes to an end. We will bring you back to Almeria, but of course you also decide to stay a bit more and enjoy some of the great hikes the Cabo de Gata offers you.

Accommodation with half board

Included

3 nights

Information on the trip

Included

Bike rental with delivery & collection

Included

3 days

Bike guide

Included

4 days

The guide will cycle with you all the route long

Picnic en route

Included

2 picnics

Transfer to the starting point

Included

Questions about the travel

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