Traversing the Iberian Peninsula from Irun, at the Bay of Biscay to Tarifa the most southern point on the European mainland.
Ride through the megalithic tombs of the Gorafe Depression, between high cliffs scattered with ancient cave dwellings. Cross the ancient bridges of Ronda and ride along the historic trails used by pilgrims crossing the Iberian Peninsula for centuries. Experience the raw and remote beauty of the Bardenas Reales Desert while riding some of the best singletrack trails in Spain. The Camino Del Rey looms above the route in Andalucia, and the massive complex of the Alhambra in Granada eclipses the view from Plaza Mirador de San Nicolas. This is just a taste of the incredible experience that awaits participants in the Iberica Traversa.
The Iberica-Traversa gravel/trail route is a single-stage, unsupported, 1723km bike adventure across the Iberian Peninsula, following mostly unpaved routes and trails. The 1812km road route option is entirely on paved roads, with its highest point at the 3398m Pico Veleta.
Registration is closed
Gravel & trails
- when:
– Sep. 24th 2023: Irun – Tarifa
– Sep. 24th 2023: Irun – Sidi Ifni | piste (continue with Morocco-BikeAdventure) - route: 1723km, 29’427m vertical climbing
Road
- when:
– Sep. 25th 2023: Irun – Tarifa
– Sep. 25th 2023: Irun – Sidi Ifni (continue with Morocco-BikeAdventure) - route: 1812km, 27’325m vertical climbing
General
- places: Irun, Pamplona, Bardenas Reales desert, Cuenca, Parque Natural Sierra de Castril, Sierras de Cazorla, Gorafe, Granada, Sierra Nevada, Camino del Rey, Ronda, Tarifa
- categories: single and pair riders
- no time limit: go as fast or slow as you like it, enjoy the scenery, race it or go in touring pace
- for whom: for everybody who will go for an unsupported bikepacking adventure
The route came about while Andy was cycling a section of NorthCape-Tarifa, another bikepacking adventure created by Transbike Adventures. Here’s what he had to say about developing the concept:
“While cycling the NCT section of Spain in November & December of 2017, I came along many old, unused railway trusses, railway buildings, and gravel roads crossing the beautiful country. On the last night before I arrived in Tarifa, I met three Spanish guys in Las Vegas (a small town in Andalucia) who were on mountain bikes. They shared stories of the epic GR7 route and confirmed how good it was to cycle away from the paved roads in Spain.”
– Andy Buchs
And the idea was born: this is a great place for a gravel adventure.
Some impressions:
– the “Désert des Bardenas Réales“
– the “Desert des Bardenas Réales” drone filming
