Vuelta a España 2026 / Week 2: Murcia and Mountains of Andalusia

Overview

Come with us and follow La Vuelta 2026 on a spectacular tour in the second week of the race. Discover off-the-beaten track routes and challenge yourself with classic Vuelta climbs. Enjoy La Vuelta like never before, pedalling the stage routes just a few hours before the professionals, past crowds of cheering fans. After an exhilirating morning of cycling, enjoy the best views in the business from the exclusive VIP area, where you can watch the start or finish of the day’s stage as you sip a glass of champagne. As an official La Vuelta Tour Operator, Bike Spain Tours offers a spectacular cycling trip that captures the beauty of the routes and the highlights of the race, while you enjoy an exciting ride. The Vuelta is the most intimate of the three major professional cycling tours: the relaxed atmosphere and easy access to the professional cyclists and their teams make it a very special cycling experience. Our tours include stays in luxurious 4* and 5* hotels, VIP access to restricted race zones, full logistical support from our dedicated support van, expertly curated cycling routes, and the company of our experienced guides. Together, these elements ensure that your La Vuelta adventure will be not only an exceptional cycling experience, but also a memorable gastronomic and cultural journey showcasing the very best that Spain has to offer. As an official La Vuelta Tour Operator, Bike Spain guarantees access to the race; however, please note that specific events, dates and locations may be adjusted by the race organisation. Day at leisure in Madrid. If you would like any assistance in booking extra nights, tours or activities to make the most of your time in the city, please contact your Bike Spain travel advisor. Our Bike Spain Tours team will pick you up from your hotel in Madrid, and accompany you on the high-speed train to Murcia. Here, our van will pick us up and transfer us to Cartagena, the start point of our first cycle route, and of tomorrow’s Vuelta stage! Our route takes us into the wild landscapes of the Sierra de la Muela, climbing steadily through arid hills and protected natural parkland, with dramatic views over the coastline before a long, flowing descent toward the sea. We’ll finish in Puerto de Mazarrón, where our van will pick us up and take us to our first hotel in Lorca. Lorca is a historic town in the Region of Murcia, known for its imposing medieval castle and rich Baroque heritage, set against a rugged inland landscape. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner together at the hotel. Our first ride showcases the rugged beauty of Murcia’s interior, blending quiet roads with a demanding mountain ascent. We’ll start the day with a transfer to Totana, where the ride begins with gentle, rolling terrain that gradually opens into wide valleys framed by dry hills and distant peaks. The road then turns upward toward the Alto de Morrón, a challenging and atmospheric climb that will define today’s Vuelta stage. Long, steady gradients wind through remote terrain, offering climbers and breakaway riders the opportunity to make their move. A sweeping descent takes us back into Lorca, with dramatic views of the castle rising above the valley. We’ll settle into the VIP finish area, and cheer on the peloton as they cross the first stage finish line of our tour. Today we’ll take on our first iconic Vuelta climb: the fearsome Calar Alto! How will you fare against the pros? Our route begins from Poblado Oeste in Almería, a famous Western movie set, originally built for spaghetti Westerns. Here we can take selfies with our carbon fibre steeds among the Wild West streets and saloons, before beginning the day’s ride. The route heads inland, gradually climbing through the arid yet striking terrain toward Verefique, where the steady gradients and wide, open vistas provide a perfect rhythm for serious climbing. From Verefique, the road continues to rise relentlessly toward Calar Alto, the highest peak in Almería province. the highest point in Almería. With steep gradients, high-altitude exposure, and expansive desert panoramas, the final kilometres are likely to be decisive in today’s Vuelta stage. We’ll catch our breath in the VIP finish area, where we can enjoy sweeping panoramic views over the Tabernas Desert and surrounding mountains. After cheering the peloton across the finish line, we’ll transfer to our next hotel in the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage City of Granada. Today we'll enjoy some beautiful mountain cycling in the Sierra Nevada, a favorite training ground for local pros and World Tour riders alike. Challenge yourself against one of Europe’s highest and most demanding road networks, where endless asphalt ribbons climb through pine forests into stark high-alpine terrain, with long, uninterrupted gradients and ever-increasing altitude. In the afternoon, we'll transfer to Loja to catch today's exciting stage finish! It’s another mountain stage today, and we’ll be tackling the Alto de la Pandera climb! In the morning, we’ll travel to Jaén by van, and begin a classic Andalusian route through sun-drenched olive groves and rolling hills. Our first climb of the day is Puerto de Locubín, a steady ascent through scenic valleys and forested sections. From Locubín, the stage builds toward the formidable Alto de La Pandera, a legendary La Vuelta climb with long, sustained gradients and wide-open mountain panoramas. The relentless ascent will demand strategic riding, endurance, and tactical positioning, ensuring a dramatic showdown for the stage finish! After conquering the mountain, we’ll head to the VIP area to enjoy a classic high-mountain Vuelta finale, framed by the stark beauty of Andalusia’s Sierra Sur. Once the peloton has crossed the finish line, we’ll transfer to our final hotel in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Córdoba. Today, we’ll enjoy a beautiful cycle route around Córdoba before watching our final stage finish in the city. Starting in Hornachuelos, at the edge of the Guadalquivir valley, the route dives straight into the quiet, wooded roads of the Sierra de Hornachuelos, one of Andalusia’s most underrated natural parks. We’ll take on a steady, rewarding climb, surrounded by rolling dehesa and oak forest, before the road tips downward and opens into a long, fast descent toward Córdoba, where the wild sierra gradually gives way to olive groves and the historic cityscape on the plain below. In the evening, we’ll celebrate our last night in true Spanish style with an exciting flamenco show. After breakfast, our La Vuelta cycling tour will come to an end. Arrival airport: Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD). Direct flights to Madrid are available from a number of destinations worldwide. Departure: Córdoba is very well-connected by high-speed train to Madrid, Barcelona and destinations within Andalusia. Please contact your Bike Spain Tours travel consultant if you would like assistance in booking extra nights in Córdoba, Madrid or Barcelona, or in organising your onward travel plans. Hotel Catalonia Goya offers a stylish and comfortable stay in the heart of Madrid, combining modern amenities with elegant design. Its central location makes it the perfect base for exploring the city’s vibrant culture, shopping, and iconic landmarks. Parador de Lorca is a unique hotel set within the historic grounds of Lorca’s medieval castle, where contemporary design and modern comforts blend seamlessly with archaeological remains like a 15th-century synagogue and ancient walls. Offering panoramic city views, a relaxing spa and indoor pool, and superb regional cuisine, it’s an ideal base for exploring the rich heritage of Lorca and enjoying a culturally immersive stay. Hotel Washington Irving in Granada offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern comfort, inspired by the life of the famous American writer. Nestled near the Alhambra, it provides elegant accommodations and a serene base for exploring the city’s rich cultural and architectural treasures. Eurostars Palace is a modern, upscale hotel in the heart of Córdoba, perfectly positioned on Paseo de la Victoria for exploring the city’s historic centre just minutes from the Mezquita-Catedral and Judería. The hotels were really nice, the climbing rides were magnificent, Kike, Stephan, and Pablo were very helpful and the equipment was top notch. Totally worth the price! In general great , you could tell the team have done these trips many times before. ANGLIRU was a bucket list climb! The hotels were all good. Of course, the stay at the old monastery was a highlight! We really enjoyed the stay with the UAE team and other tour officials. The hotels and restaurants were outstanding choices. Sally and I thought the team was great! All of the team members were responsive, positive and helpful. For experienced riders I believe Bike Spain provides an excellent tour. As inexperienced riders we had great support from the Bike Spain team and enjoyed the trip. 7 nights accommodation in 4* hotels (based on double room occupation), Buffet breakfasts, 3 dinners with wine, Support vehicle to provide technical assistance and offer refreshments and snacks, Bilingual and experienced Bike Spain Tours guides, La Vuelta VIP tickets - exclusive access, Flamenco show and dinner, Special gifts: Bike Spain Tours handle bar bag, water bottle, luggage tags and a bike jersey, Travel insurance with medical assistance, Gratuities for baggage, restaurants and hotel service. Lunches and 3 dinners, Airport transfers. Single supplement: 540€, Extra nights: on request. The Tarmac Disc Sport SL7 is the perfect bike for high performance road cycling. With a state-of-the-art FACT 9r carbon fibre frame, a list of highly reliable components such as powerful... There’s no other e-bike out there with ride quality, range, and power like this, at a weight that’s light enough to carry. The Turbo Vado SL 4.0 is best for... Limited availability

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