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Tabernas, Andalucía, ES

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Route Overview

bici-almeria.com

cycle trips in south eastern spain

87 mi.

10,520 ft.

The bici-almeria signature ride as featured in #23 Cyclist magazine.
Massive climbs of Velefique and Calar Alto lead on to a breathtakingly rewarding 50km descent back to start

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Route Details

The ride starts from the @point[friendly bar-restaurant of Las Malvinas](d,52.71) on the A-349 just outside Tabernas where there is ample parking if you arrive by car.
The first 20km up to the village of Velefique is a steady 2/3% drag but this is not the time for pushing too hard as after the village the real fun begins. Before the real climb there is a great little bar in the village square of @point[Velefique](d,16922.37) where a tostado and coffee will help fuel the next effort. Alto de Velefique is a 13km Haut Category Climb (or Especial as the Vuelta call them) @ just under 8% average. @photo[(profile pic) ](742828) It is know as the Alpe d'Andaluze as it bears a striking resemblance to Alpe d'Huez with so many switchbacks and is almost identical from a stats point of view. Just like the Alpe @slice[the first 4km are the steepest](d,16905.11,20331.6)) but the struggles are worth it when you reach the @slice[pine-forested switchbacks](d,20571.08,28338.26) that make this such an iconic climb. As with most roads in Almeria the tarmac is super smooth all the way up. 
After a brief stop at the top to take in the view over the Desierto de Tabernas, Sierra Alhamilla and Almeria city in the distance, it is time for another highlight, a stunning, fast descent into the tiny white mountain village of @point[Bacares](d,42497.3) (worth getting a coffee and a bite to eat here as the next 'civilisation' is over 50km down the road. Switchbacks rule on the descent too! 
From Bacares the next 20km are all uphill (and in places quite steep!) to @point[the Observatory at Calar Alto - peaking at 2165m above sea level](d,60232.37). The roadside vegetation takes a decidely alpine look as we leave the last pine trees behind and turn right for the last three kms to Calar Alto itself. This is the highest point of the Sierra Filabres range, also the highest point in the province of Almeria and the barren, almost lunar, landscape is dominated by half a dozen massive white telescopes. From the car park at the start they are merely white specs on the top of the distant mountain. Close up the are quite mesmerising. 
The next 50km cannot be fully appreciated on paper, the shear thrill of descending, and I mean @slice[full on downhill for pretty much all 50km](d,60960.96,111975.07) is quite literally as much fun as you can have on a bike! The landscape again changes to a yellow sun-baked hue rather than the greens of the climb and brown-greys of the summit. The speeds are high and the road surface again impeccable, the 30km down to the A-92 motorway simply fly by! At this point it may be worth @point[heading down the service road along the motorway](d,89799.99) into the small town of Gergal for coffee or food if you are in need. There is also a service station with a cafe where you can fill any empty bidons. Once over the motorway the descent continues albeit a bit shallower but through equally spectacular vistas. This is the real Desierto de Tabernas, Europe's only official desert region. It is probably my favourite stretch of descent in the whole province, I love sweeping through the pines that line the road and catching glispes of the desert-scape round each bend.
Once down at the bottom of the valley you pass through the sleepy town of @point[Gador](d,120956.97) it is steady climb alongside the A-92 back to Tabernas and a well deserved whatever you have post-ride.

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Cyclist Magazine Big Ride

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