On arrival into Malaga airport you will be transferred to the spa town of Lanjaron, the starting point of our classic loop of the imposing Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Lanjaron, famed for the quality of its drinking water, is the gateway to the Alpujarras, a spectacular region bathed in bright, clear light on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada. Before the Spanish reclaimed their land the Moors left an impressive scattering of whitewashed villages across the mountainsides and above deep ravines almost identical to those found in the Atlas mountains of Morocco.

Tomorrow we start our incredible journey.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,900 Metres Approx.

After breakfast we will head off on our bikes straight from the hotel door into the heart of the Alpujarra. With stunning vistas across the deep Guadalfeo valley we’ll pass through Orgiva, the capital of the area and begin our climbing into the High Alpujarra.

We’ll pass the stunning Poquiera Gorge and the traditional, picturesque villages of Pampaneira and Bubion, perfectly situated for a coffee break to contemplate your first experience of the simple local architecture and handicrafts produced in the area.

Winding our way on well surfaced roads we’ll pass over the Barranco del Sangre (Gully of Blood) where a last ditch attempt by the Moors of the Alpujarra was defeated in a bloody battle. Legend has it the blood of the Christian soldiers flowed up hill in order not to mix with the blood of the Moors.

There won’t be any blood, but maybe a little sweat, as we pedal high above the Trevelez river and onto the village of the same name. Trevelez is the highest village in Spain at 1,476m and is famous for its succulent hams that are cured in the thin, dry mountain air.

A fast descent into the village of Juviles will give us great views of the Sierra de Contraviesa and take us down through the Berchules gorge to Cadiar our resting place for the night. Local mountain fayre will be on the menu, not forgetting that succulent ham to be washed down with the house wine!

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 2,100 Metres Approx.

Today we will head further east along the Alpujarra as we gradually gain height. Snaking through the villages of Valor, Yegen and Laroles that cling to the mountainside, we are rewarded with glimpses of the higher snow capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada, culminating in mainland Spain’s highest, Mulhacen, at 3,482m. Looking east from our vantage point we can see all the way to the desert lands of Almeria.

From Laroles at 1,050m we start the true ascent up to the Puerto de la Ragua. At 2,038m this is a tough climb rated as Category 1 and often features in the Vuelta a Espana. We’ll be rewarded though with views south to the Mediterranean and north as far as the Sierras de Cazorla and Segura in the far north of Andalucia. It’s a great place for a re-fuelling stop and a famous Skedaddle picnic of the best local produce. After lunch a 1,000m twisting descent takes us into the northern side of the range past the castle topped town La Calahorra and onto Jerez del Marquesado, nestled at the bottom of the beautiful Barranco Alcazar. It’s a steady ride into the cathedral town of Guadix, our home for the evening. The town is well off the beaten track and is famous for its cave houses that are still occupied today. This will be our chance to live as troglodytes as we stay the night in a cave hotel, but don’t worry they are now luxuriously appointed. It’s an excellent way to spend the evening in a magnificent desert landscape against the backdrop of the enormous snow capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,300 Metres Approx.

After a breakfast we leave our cave behind and head off on fast roads, rolling our way through undulating farmlands towards the Parque Natural de la Sierra Magina. This rugged park of precipitous limestone is a joy to cycle through. Its summits, culminating in the 2,165m peak of Magina are frequently snow capped, reflecting a special Andalucian translucent light, topped by deep blue skies.

The riding flows on with yet more stunning views. If we are lucky we may get a chance to spot a bonelli or golden eagle soaring high above sheer limestone cliffs as we pass castle fortified villages that were once Moorish strongholds. The scenery becomes dramatic and desert like, almost a mini Arizona, with sheer sandstone cliffs guiding us though the ‘badlands’.

We take on a favourite ride of the local Granadense crew through the stunning pine clad Parque Natural de Huetor. The road twists and winds its way across high ground before dropping towards the ancient capital of Granada. For our lunchtime picnic, it would be unjust not to soak our bread in the olive oil of Magina, as it’s said to be the finest in Spain and is often described as liquid gold. Just before we reach the city we swing east and climb into the real Sierra Nevada, to the village of Guejar Sierra, with great views of Mulhacen and Alcazaba, the highest peaks in the range. Guejar is the perfect springboard for tomorrow’s cycling feast.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 2,500 Metres Approx.

This is a fantastic day on the bike, comprising the climb that all Spanish cyclists want to tick off their list. It’s a climb that will take us high into the Sierra Nevada on the highest drivable road in Europe, well that was until it was closed to traffic, but luckily not bikes! First off we’ll cruise around the Canales Reservoir and head up the beautiful valley, deep into the sierra. You can climb to the summit of Pico Veleta which stands at a grand 3,400m above sea level. The overall climb is pretty steady, but obviously its length and altitude create a great challenge. If you finish the whole climb to Pico Veleta it’s a whopping 2,700m of ascent! We stay off the main road that runs up to the Pradollano ski station by taking a little known detour up the picturesque Genil river valley. As this single lane road leaves the valley bottom it heads into a series of switchbacks that steepens the going a little.

Shortly after rejoining the main road we’ll reach the ski station at almost 2,500m. The views are incredible and the feeling of achievement is infectious at the roof top of Spain.

All that’s left to do now is let off the brakes and take the exhilarating, almost 50km, descent back to Granada on a different road. An evening stroll around the walls of the lit Alhambra Palace which without doubt is the most beautiful and innovative piece of architecture constructed by the Moorish people who occupied Spain. Then we hit the tapas bars for Granada’s infamous assortment of free tapas. Yes free!

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,250 Metres Approx.

Our final ride takes us from Granada at 700m down to sea level and the calm shores of the Mediterranean. Once out of the city, a steady climb will take us over the Puerto del Suspiro del Moro. From here we have an exhilarating descent from 1,200m down through the awesome Sierra del Chaparral.

We’ll take in some of the best views of the western edge of the snowy peaks as well as far down the coast of the Med. We’ll see vultures soaring high as we drop off this coastal ridge following the fertile banks of the Rio Verde to the lively coastal town of Almuñecar. A couple of sunset sangrias and a celebratory dinner will bring this great trip to a very fitting end.

• Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast it will be time to pack our gear up for the last time and transfer back to Malaga for flights home.