Boasting vast countryside, a rich variety of landscapes, countless interesting places and an extensive network of small roads and well-maintained tracks and trails, Andalusia is an ideal destination for cyclists.

In this Collection, I propose a beautiful journey through the interior of the region, starting from the city of Almeria and ending in Seville. Over six stages, you cycle almost 650 kilometres (404 mi) and accumulate more than 10,000 metres (32,808 ft) of elevation gain. Along the way, you visit Granada, Antequera, Ronda, Grazalema, Arcos de la Frontera and a string of beautiful villages. The route takes you through the Sierra Nevada, the Sierra de Loja, the Sierra de las Nieves and the Sierra de Grazalema. It crosses the valleys of the rivers Andarax, Aguas Blancas, Genil, Guadalhorce, Guadiaro, Guadaira and Guadalquivir.

The signs of Muslim heritage left from Moorish rule of the region are evident from the topographical names of the villages, sierras and rivers. Although the towns and villages will change from province to province, they share a common identity that is reflected not only in the appearance of their streets and monuments but also in their gastronomy and the character of their people.

If you want to reduce the difficulty of this Collection, you can divide it into more stages and enjoy it more relaxedly. Each day you will pass through many towns with accommodation, so you won't have any problems if you decide to extend the adventure.

Here, I propose the Trans Andalucía Route divided into six stages. They are demanding days in which, at times, the accumulated difference in altitude exceeds 2,000 metres (6,562 ft). There are no impossible ramps or technical sections. On the contrary, they’re almost all secondary roads that are in good condition, with little traffic and wide roads with good surfaces. In this format, you will only need a week to cross Andalusia almost from one end to the other.

A gravel bike with wide wheels or a MTB without suspension are the types of bikes I recommend for this trip. If you sleep in accommodation, you won't need to bring a tent and sleeping bag, so you'll be able to travel light.

The best time to set off on this adventure is in spring. If you don't get too much rain, you'll be riding through green fields with wildflowers and you won't get too hot on the climbs. Meanwhile, you'll enjoy the renowned southern sunshine during the day and warm nights that allow you to rest. In summer, it’s difficult to cycle most of the day. In winter, on the other hand, as there are some high passes, you may encounter snow and get quite cold.

Although you pass through several towns each day, make sure you always carry enough water and food. Don't forget to add waterproofs, a windbreaker to your luggage, sun cream, and a swimming kit.

Both Almería and Seville have plenty of bus and train services, as well as airports. The first stage starts at the intermodal train and bus station in Almería and the last stage ends at the Seville railway station.