Our connection with the Gorafe Desert goes back to 2017. Andy was scouting the route for the original NorthCape-Tarifa, following what the map promised to be a paved road. But when he rolled in from the north on his bike, he found himself staring into something utterly unexpected: a vast, otherworldly expanse that looked more like Mars than mainland Europe. And the paved road turned to be a gravel road.
It was a moment of serendipity. That “wrong turn” became a defining inspiration – this surreal terrain, with its jagged ridges and deep canyons, had to be part of something bigger. It was here that the idea sparked: Spain needs a serious gravel event, and it has to cut right through this moonscape.
Since the first edition of the Iberica-Traversa, the route has led riders straight through this wild corner of Andalusia. Many have compared it to the American Southwest – only with fewer tourists and more solitude. The Desierto de Gorafe, also called Los Coloraos for its striking red rock formations, remains a hidden gem for riders, photographers, and explorers alike.
But Gorafe is more than just dramatic landscapes. The nearby village is famous for its cave houses – dwellings carved directly into the hillsides. These age-old homes keep cool in the scorching summer and warm in the cold winter months, blending human ingenuity with natural design. The area is also rich in prehistory, home to over 200 dolmens, making it one of Europe’s most concentrated sites of megalithic structures. The Gorafe Megalithic Park is a must-see for anyone drawn to ancient mysteries.
And when the sun sets, the magic continues. With some of the lowest light pollution in Spain, Gorafe is a stargazer’s paradise. The desert lies within the Granada Geopark, a UNESCO Global Geopark, which celebrates its geological wonders and cosmic silence.
For us, Gorafe isn’t just a waypoint – it’s a reminder that the best discoveries often begin with a surprise. And ever since 2018, it’s been an essential part of the journey.
Photos: taken this July
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