Looking for route suggestions across Spain : Gibraltar to Biarritz

[MichaelBBourque]

I am planning a self supported cycling tour across Spain (south to north). I intend to cover daily distances of approx 80-110 km across rural and moutainous terrain.

The trip will be done in march /april 2019

I will be doing a combination of camping, cheap hotels, warmshowers.

Question:

Any suggestions with regards to bike routes?


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[John Nettles]

Michael,

First, welcome to the Forums.

As far as the route goes, if you can not get an answer here (it is more dedicated to ACA routes of course), I would suggest you ask over on CrazyGuyonaBike.com (more international) or possibly BikeForums.net (also more international).

While I have not ridden in Spain, yet, I have traveled there several times.  It is a wonderful country and I especially love the food (Iberico Jamon is the absolute best).

I would suggest you stick to the small roads as much as possible.

Have a wonderful adventure, John

[MichaelBBourque]

Hi John,
Duly noted, thanks much.
M


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[BikeliciousBabe]

It's hard to go wrong in Andalucia as long as you stay away from the coast. Get the Michelin map for the territory, decide what you want to see (e.g., big cities or not) and then pick the smallest roads between the places when possible. Spent 7 weeks in the territory BITB. I would definitely try to hit Ronda and the "white towns" south of it. Cordobas was pleasant and dry. There is still a decent, secure campground on the edge of town that is within walking distance of the attractions. Between those two points, Ardales is near the amazing Churro Gorge. You can get there via the Puerto del Viento from Roda to El Burgo then what's now the MA-5402, which is quite pretty and now paved. (It wasn't when I was there.)

Whatever route you choose, bring your climbing legs. Andalucia is Spain's single most mountainous provence and contains its two highest peaks. March/April is a good time to go temperature-wise, but expect some precipitation in places, although the area around Cordoba is usually pleasant and dry. 

[Galloper]

Spain has been developing a lot of Greenways in recent years, some of them may be of use in your journey.   This link may help.

http://www.viasverdes.com/

[mathieu]

I just stumbled on this question today. In 2016 and 2017 I designed and cycled my own cross-country route from Tarifa, the most southern tip of Spain, near Gibraltar, to San Sebastian, near Biarritz. My ambition was to follow the geographic divide line between the Atlantic and Meditterranean watersheds as close as possible. I also did my best to include dirt roads.
Maybe you have less ambition on these two aspects, but you could take my route as a good start. Probably 70% is on quiet paved roads.  See https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1mr&doc_id=19398&v=ic .
I am sure that it doesn't take much time, using tools as Ride-with-GPS, to modify my route to run entirely on paved roads. I am glad to offer you assistance if you are not familiar with such tools.