2 min read Spain Winter/Spring 2026

Day 53: Tabernas Desert (Cycle)

From past experience I'm always a little wary when going off road. The thing is you just don't know what the surface is going to be like; how steep the gradients are going to be; how gnarly and technical the going will be; and how much hiker/biking (i.e., taking you bike for a walk!) you may have to do.

However, sometimes you just have to "suck it and see"; especially if off-road is the only option to reach your destination. And, my destiny was to vist some masts located at El Puntal de Sierra Alhamilla (elevation 1,288 metres). The second highest point in the Sierra Alhamilla.

So, the game plan was to relax and take it easy on the off-road section of the ride and not to worry about the time taken to reach the masts and beyond. Instead, cycle at a safe, steady pace and enjoy the views.

It worked, I really enjoyed the cycling, and the views, and only had to walk some short sections where the gradients and stone sizes were too much for my 35mm slick tyres (and too high tyre pressures). If the bike had slightly wider tyres, with tread and lower tyre pressures I'd have been okay. So, in conclusion, I say the tyres I had on the bike were good enough for approximately 24 kilometres of climbing, all bar a total of about 300 metres where I had to take the bike for a walk (rather than a dog!).

Here's a photo taken a few kilometres into the climb (the group of masts I was heading to can be seen upper left side of the photo - on the horizon line).

Here's a view: with the unpaved road I was climbing on; Tabernas Desert; A-92 Autovia (motorway); and where my van was packed (the white "bits" about halfway up the lefthand edge of the photo).

Now for the masts:

  Image 1  Image 2 
 

The climbing continued on the unpaved road, and then on to a paved road for the final kilometre or so to not only the high point of the day, but also the highest point in the Sierra Alhamilla: Colativi (Altitude 1387 metres). Where this meteorological radar can be found:

All that was left to do was to (mostly) descend for approximately 34 kilometres to an elevation of roughly 270 metres: I do like to end a ride with some major downhillness to enjoy!

  • Distance driven: 0 miles
  • Distance cycled: 60 kilometres
  • Weather: Quite a lot of high cloud. T's about 19°C at lower elevations, 14°C above about 1,200 metres. Some headwinds for the final 15 kilometres.

Today's route (would definitely do it again):