Spain and top-level cycling have long gone hand in hand. But until recently, southern Spain has remained surprisingly “off the radar”; while Mallorca, Girona, the Canary Islands and the Costa Blanca have become firmly established for cycling holidays. But these well-known biking destinations are starting to get overcrowded. 

So, if you´re planning a road biking trip with friends or your cycling club, take a look at the Subbética, 90 minutes´drive north of Malaga, half way between Cordoba and Granada. Whatever your level, this hidden corner of rural Andalucia has it all: quiet, open roads for great cycling, an excellent year-round climate, great scenery and authentic local villages, great food and the world´s best olive oils!

* Cycling in the Subbetica – southern Spain´s best-kept biking secret!

The Subbetica is a fantastic destination for a long weekend cycling trip, especially in the late autumn, winter and early spring; when the weather is not the best in northern Europe. Biking routes range from gently-paced leisure cycling through olive groves and peaceful river valleys; to more challenging climbs amid stunning mountain scenery, as featured on La Vuelta. With lots of the quiet, twisting country lanes, passing through traditional white villages, this is rural Andalucia at its authentic best. 

 
Photo: Priego de Cordoba in the Subbetica, one of Andalucia´s prettiest white towns.

* Why choose the Subbetica, Andalucia for your next biking trip? 

- Easy access: direct flights to Malaga from all over Europe, as well as the New York, Toronto and the UAE. Plus, lots of flights to Seville (2 hours away), Granada (1 hour away) and the AVE fast-train in Cordoba (1 hour away), which is just 2 hours by train from Madrid.
- Short flights: most European flights to Malaga, Seville or Granada are between 2 to 3 hours in duration, ideal for a quick escape or long weekend.
- Good roads for road cycling: no traffic and great views. Even the quietest country backroads are well maintained and have a smooth surface. 
- Climate: over 300 days a year of sunshine, superb weather conditions most of the year, especially March to June and September to November. 
- Terrain: interesting, varied routes; plenty of good climbs & elevation change.
- Landscape: beautiful rolling hills with ancient olive groves; jagged limestone peaks and quiet river valleys.
- Culture & Food: typical Andalucian pueblos blancos (white villages) with hilltop medieval castles, Moorish watchtowers and shady plazas with local bars for tasty tapas, good coffee, local wines and the world´s best olive oil!
- Bike-friendly area: there are lots of local cycling clubs, so drivers are respectful and a few local hotels are now well set-up with cycling-friendly facilities (see more below).   

 
Photo: Casa Olea B&B, a bike-friendly hotel in the Subbetica, north of Malaga. 

* Featured on the Vuelta de Andalucia 

Also known as the Ruta del Sol - the Vuelta de Andalucia is one of the key “season openers” for the UCI Pro Series, attracting most of the sport´s biggest-name teams and riders. Most years, the route passes through the Subbetica. In 2022, all 4 days were in the Subbetica; while the 2023 Vuelta de Andalucia took the riders through Lucena, Rute and Iznajar in the southern end of the Subbetica. The 2024 race was cancelled, due to farmers´ protests blocking the roads, so there´s even more excitement about the 2025 race (19-23 February 2025), which celebrates 100 years since the first edition back in 1925! Malaga, Cordoba and Jaen provinces all feature in stages this year.

* Where to stay in the Subbetica?

Casa Olea is an award-winning boutique B&B with 6 en-suite bedrooms set in a peaceful river valley close to Priego de Cordoba. They can provide a good selection of self-guide cycling routes and GPX tracks; plus a beautiful pool terrace and healthy home cooking with local wines and beers to help you wind down after the ride. See more below about Casa Olea, as a comfortable base for your next road biking trip.

 
Photo: Casa Olea boutique B&B, near Priego de Cordoba (Andalucia).

* Bike rental at Casa Olea 

Casa Olea offers a good range of quality bikes which can be rented by their guests, with a nice selection of routes leaving from the property. Advance booking is essential for all bikes, along with information about the size of bike you require. See below a few examples of the kind of road bikes, gravel bikes and mountain bikes we can offer Casa Olea hotel guests only:

- Road bike: Berria Belador 5.1, with Shimano 105 group and disc brakes, Rotor crankset, carbon frame, forks and seat post, aluminium rim wheels, internal cabling. 

- Electric road bike: Scott Addict E-ride 30, with Shimano 105 group and disc brakes, all carbon frame and forks, Mahle motor/battery with range of approx 100km in Eco mode. 

- Gravel bike: Berria Allroad HPR Elite GRX400, with Shimano gearing, chain set and disc brakes, aluminium frame, full carbon forks, internal cabling, aluminium rim wheels, Pirelli tyres.

- Electric mountain bike: Berria Cayman Elite NX, with Bosch motor, Smart system interface and battery (750wh) with range of approx. 100km in Eco mode. Aluminium frame, Rockshox shocks, SRAM gearing, chain set & piston brakes, Vittoria tyres, internal cabling.

- Electric "touring" bike: UrbanBiker Viena 28/26, with a range of approx 60km, comfortable for short/medium length rides around these backroads, 250W motor UBK Systems, Samsung battery. 

* Plan your own private group biking trip in Andalucia

Arrange your own custom biking trip in Andalucia, with a group of friends, with your cycling club or as a family group trip – taking all 6 rooms at Casa Olea as your own private villa with catering provided, bikes provided and lots of suggested biking routes to explore the local area. This could be as a dedicated long weekend away, or as the only “biking element” on a longer vacation in Spain. If you fancy a longer biking trip, you could combine a few days´ riding at Casa Olea with some biking in two of Spain´s great cultural destinations, Ronda and Granada. Read more below for suggested biking trips, to give you an idea of what´s possible…

Long weekend in the Subbetica 

Stay 4 nights at Casa Olea, and head off on a mix of day rides in the Sierras Subbéticas, exploring local white villages, great riding and stunning scenery throughout:  

- Day 1: arrival transfer to Casa Olea from Malaga, Seville, Granada or Cordoba. Check out the bikes (pre-delivered and set up at Casa Olea) and do a short pm ride before dinner at Casa Olea.

- Days 2, 3 & 4: full day rides in the Sierras Subbéticas (35-100km), with suggested stop-offs for coffee, lunch etc in local bars and siteseeing en route. 

- Day 5: Short morning ride, if times allows; then minivan transfer back to Malaga, Seville, Granada or Cordoba.

Important info

- Rooms: private hire of Casa Olea. Total of 6 rooms, which can be set up as singles or doubles (with super-king bed), or twin rooms (with two single beds). Group size: minimum 6, maximum 12. Meals: breakfast and dinner at Casa Olea each day. Lunches and all drinks are charged extra. Dietary requirements (eg no gluten, vegetarian) can be catered for, with advance notice given. Biking routes: road (road bikes and e-bikes); or a mix of road & gravel (gravel bikes and e-bikes). Bikes: quality bike rental through local bike shop (see examples above). Your bike spec will be required in advance, so all bikes can be set up correctly before your arrival. Price: please enquire, as trip price is dependent on many factors such as travel dates, number of rooms/guests and whether the guide is required etc.

Note - This trip can be either on your own (no guide), with self-guide routes/GPX tracks provided; or with an English-speaking guide provided throughout (booked in advance). An additional driver/guide, with back-up minivan transport/trailer for bikes can also be arranged, if needed.

Extend your biking trip?

This is just a suggested trip only and could be extended to a full week, combining the Subbetica as a linear route with two of Andalucia´s great cultural cities, such as Ronda to Granada or Cordoba to Granada. All details can be amended, depending on your specific needs as a group and trip requirements.

Photo: the Alhambra palace in Granada

Non-cycling partners, friends and family

Casa Olea is also a great location for non-cycling partners to enjoy, with a beautiful pool for R&R, a nice range of self-guide hiking routes in the area and healthy home cooked evenings with excellent local wines to enjoy as a group, once the riders get back home!