Loop club

A 55 km semi-gravel coastal loop near Cartagena, starting in La Azohía. Quiet asphalt by the sea, demanding but rewarding gravel on EuroVelo 8, semi-arid landscapes, Sierra de las Moreras views and a perfect beach stop at Playa Percheles.

If you’re the kind of rider who likes to settle into a climb, not fight it, this route feels like home. This 73 km road cycling loop from Hornachuelos to Las Navas de la Concepción starts the Andalusian way — uphill. The route rolls through olive groves, climbs into Sierra Norte de Sevilla, skirts the calm waters of Embalse de Retortillo, and loops back to Hornachuelos on quiet, scenic roads where speed matters less than views.

If you ever wanted to know what it feels like to ride your bike on another planet, congratulations — Bardenas Reales is probably the closest you’ll get without NASA clearance.

There are rides that feel like you’ve accidentally joined a secret society. Via Verde de la Sierra is definitely this kind. A railway that never saw a train, 36 kilometers of premium gravel, and 30 tunnels that slowly recruit you into the Tunnel Shadow Cycling Club — whether you meant to join or not.