RogonneurRogonneur
Tours
Custom ToursPricing
Rogonneur
ExplorePricingDashboard

© 2026 Rogonneur. All rights reserved.

ImprintTerms & ConditionsCookie PolicyPrivacy Statement
  1. Home
  2. Bike Tours
  3. Spain
  4. Almeria – Cartagena

Bikepacking Spain: The 630km Southern Desert & Alpine Gravel Route

from Almeria

to Cartagena

E-Bike: 5h 02 / day

Bike: 6h 50 / day

635 kmDistance
10,374 mElevation
8 DaysDuration
Difficulty
8Stages
Abla
Climbs
Coastlines
Gravel
Possible in Winter
Premium

Description

From the sun-bleached ravines of Europe’s only true desert in Tabernas to the massive alpine karst plateaus of the Sierra de Segura, this 636km gravel loop showcases the raw, untamed interior of Southern Spain. The route bridges dramatic extremes, taking riders from sea level up into dense pine forests and high mountain outposts, before dropping through the fertile Segura basin to finish at the ancient Punic Wall of Cartagena. It is a true test of terrain: loose ramblas, sweeping limestone crests, and isolated stone villages.Planning a route through Spain's most rugged and remote badlands shouldn't mean spending weeks analyzing terrain or keeping 20 tabs open. Rogonneur eliminates the friction. A free account gives you instant access to completely curated GPS data, handpicked bike-friendly hotels, and regional food spots along the entire journey. Sign up today and turn complex logistics into a seamless, ready-to-ride experience.

Unlock Guide

Tour Details

This tour includes detailed day-by-day descriptions, accommodation recommendations, points of interest, difficulty ratings, and expert tips for completing this amazing cycling adventure...

Route

The track demands wide tubeless tires—a minimum of 45mm is highly recommended—to safely navigate the deep, uncompacted gravel of the seasonal riverbeds encountered during the opening stages. Leaving the immediate coast, the surface transitions into technical sand sectors through the Hoya de Guadix basin before ascending onto the exposed, rocky double-tracks of the Marquesado plateau. Navigation requires constant cross-referencing through the labyrinth of dry washes around Fonelas, wh...
Start Point
Almeria
End Point
Cartagena
Country
Spain
Regions
Andalusia, Castile-La Mancha, Murcia

At a glance

Distance

635 km

Difficulty

Hard

Road type

—

Duration

8 days

Tour Itinerary

  • Day 1
    Almería - Abla

    68 km1,124 m

    View Details
  • Day 2
    Abla - Gorafe

    72 km792 m

    View Details
  • Day 3
    Gorafe - Hinojares

    65 km1,139 m

    View Details
  • Day 4
    Hinojares - El Valle

    74 km2,029 m

    View Details
  • Day 5
    El Valle - Santiago de la Espada

    78 km1,671 m

    View Details
  • Day 6
    Santiago de la Espada - Moratalla

    110 km1,910 m

    View Details
  • Day 7
    Moratalla - Archena

    79 km1,000 m

    View Details
  • Day 8
    Archena - Cartagena

    90 km709 m

    View Details

Cultural & scenic highlights

Travel access

Travel to start

Very easy access

You have several good options for arrival: Almería by train or Almería Airport by flight or Paseo-Puerta Purchena-Al by coach or Terminal portuaria by ferry. Choose the one that fits your origin and bike setup best.

Major rail hub

Almería, 1 km

Airport

Almería Airport, 8 km

Coach / bus hub

Paseo-Puerta Purchena-Al, 0 km

Ferry terminal

Terminal portuaria, 1 km

Travel from finish

Very easy access

You have several good options for leaving the tour: Train Station by train or Paseo Alfonso XII - ARQVA by coach. Choose the one that works best for your next destination and bike setup.

Major rail hub

Train Station, 1 km

Coach / bus hub

Paseo Alfonso XII - ARQVA, 0 km

The Curated List

Packing List

Explore Our Tours

Sofia to Durrës Cycling Route: 9-Day Balkan Bikepacking Adventure through Bulgaria, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia & Albania

Sofia to Durrës Cycling Route: 9-Day Balkan Bikepacking Adventure through Bulgaria, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia & Albania

This is not a polished cycling holiday. It is an honest slice of south-eastern Europe, made for riders who are comfortable with changing conditions: smooth tarmac, improvised lines, busy roads, empty ...

9 days

767 km

Adriatic Bikepacking Route from Split to Sarandë through Croatia, Montenegro and Albania

Adriatic Bikepacking Route from Split to Sarandë through Croatia, Montenegro and Albania

This route is made for riders who want a lot of experience without having to rethink the plan every day. The stages have a clear rhythm: some sections are fast and steady, others become more demanding...

9 days

742 km

Freiburg to Nice by Bike: Alpine Crossing via Grand-Saint-Bernard and Col de la Lombarde

Freiburg to Nice by Bike: Alpine Crossing via Grand-Saint-Bernard and Col de la Lombarde

The ride changes character almost every day. After the calm roll through the Upper Rhine plain, things get sharper beyond Basel: Dornach, Hochwald and the first Jura hills bring forest, pasture and lo...

8 days

783 km

Bikepacking Portugal & Spain: The Coastal Route from Lisbon to A Coruña

Bikepacking Portugal & Spain: The Coastal Route from Lisbon to A Coruña

The technical character of this route thrives on constant variety across changing surfaces. The southern and central sections feature extensive cycling on the dedicated red tarmac of the Estrada Atl&a...

10 days

749 km

Cycling from A Coruña to Lisbon: 13 Days of Bikepacking Through Galicia and Portugal

Cycling from A Coruña to Lisbon: 13 Days of Bikepacking Through Galicia and Portugal

This 13-day bike journey takes you from A Coruña to Lisbon, crossing Galicia and Portugal with a rewarding mix of culture, coastline, hills and quiet backroads. Across roughly 665 km and 6,800 m of cl...

13 days

726 km

3-Nation Bikepacking Loop: Through the Swiss Jura from Freiburg to Neuchâtel

3-Nation Bikepacking Loop: Through the Swiss Jura from Freiburg to Neuchâtel

The sporting appeal of this multi-country loop lies in the continuous adaptation to shifting road surfaces and distinct microclimates. The technical start in the southern Breisgau region demands stric...

4 days

469 km

Best for this collection

Climbs Package

€0.01
Best for this collection

Coastlines Package

€0.01
Best for this collection

Possible in Winter Package

€0.01
Best value
€20.00