Camp Andalucia '25

This camp is a tried-and-true classic, so we didn’t try to reinvent the wheel and stuck to nearly the same routes as last year. And it was fantastic. Nothing brings as much joy as sunshine, breathtaking views, and the pleasant crunch of gravel under the tires. Especially in the middle of winter—we really missed this! Andalucia simply never disappoints.

The El Chorro loop is the classic of classics. First-class gravel roads, varied terrain, strategically placed cafés, and moderately challenging climbs—these are the ingredients of the perfect Spanish gravel route. There's room to push yourself, to rest, to take in the views, and to enjoy a great meal afterward. This is exactly what we love.

But it wasn’t always easy. After three days, the weather took a turn for the worse. The sky darkened, and a cold wind carried scattered raindrops. The perceived temperature matched that of Poland. The stunning climb to El Boquete turned into a windswept, foggy battlefield against fierce gusts and hail. We spent a long time at the bar at the top, drying off and warming up by a small stove. And though the skies eventually cleared, the cold wind stayed with us for several more days.

Then came the queen stage, where we climbed towards the pass in Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama—not knowing what awaited us at the top. Despite the bright sunshine, an icy wind howled, and the pass disappeared into the clouds. The conditions at the summit were pure madness. Over 1,600 meters above sea level in January is no joke—even in the deep south! While last year we had a glorious inversion and warm temperatures here, this time we battled absurd winds. At one point, instead of riding, we were pushing our bikes, leaning against them with our full body weight—the wind was that strong. Fortunately, just a few dozen meters below the pass, the world became a much friendlier place again.

Our struggles were soon rewarded. That very same day, the clouds parted, and we rode the final 30 kilometers along the incredible Carretera de la Cabra in stunning sunshine. This is one of those roads you could ride forever. And it doesn’t even matter that it’s paved. The best part? Descending it takes you into a completely different microclimate—you can feel it getting warmer with every turn. After all, the area around Almuñécar is a hub for tropical fruit cultivation.

Yes, Almuñécar welcomed us beautifully this year and left us wanting more. In our last two days there, the temperatures soared, and the skies remained cloudless. For our rest day, we rode to a nearby village for specialty coffee, amazing cakes, and fresh fruit smoothies—exactly what we needed after a tough previous day. It was the perfect chance to recharge with sunshine and finally warm up properly.

And to close the camp, we did something truly special. This is probably the kind of ride that gravel bikes were made for: a long climb at the start (split halfway with a coffee stop), spectacular views of rugged rock walls, a fragrant pine forest, and dozens of kilometers of dreamy white gravel. And let’s not forget the sight of snow-capped Sierra Nevada peaks, accompanying us for half the day.

We descended back into Almuñécar via a winding gravel road along a ridge, surrounded by blooming almond trees. And just like that, this beautiful adventure came to an end... Gracias Andalucia, hasta luego!

And we’ll be back in April! This time, we’re heading to magical Granada, from where we’ll embark on the TransNevada loop—a famous bikepacking route around the highest mountains in mainland Spain. The list for this camp is already full, and we absolutely can’t wait!