It's not just the weather that makes 'La Alpujarra' such a special place to ride, the region offers some of the best roads you'll ever ride. While the imposing Sierra Nevada dominates the skyline, the area offers a variety of climbs of different length and gradient, all on silky smooth tarmac which are rideable all year round. You'll love the exhilaration of a smooth descent and the stunning scenery.

It's not all about the climbing though, and while you're sure to come back fitter and climbing faster, we aim to develop your riding skills overall. Our coaching and video analysis will make you a faster and more confident descender. We aim to help you develop as a rider not just on camp but at home too with transferable skills for all aspects of riding whether that's racing, sportives or just being a stronger rider than your mates.

Unlike many popular cycling holiday destinations, the roads here are quiet and the drivers you do meet are patient and friendly. Sometimes it seems like you're the only people around as you can easily complete a 30-45 min climb without ever encountering a car. Whether you're climbing, descending or bashing along the coast road honing your group riding skills you'll soon see why we think this is the best place to ride a bike!

Some of our favorite local climbs

Haza de Lino (from Órgiva), 17km and 669m altitude gain - really a range of climbs reaching 1300m altitude, with several different approaches from both our inland base and from the coast. The top boasts epic panoramic views with mainland Spain's highest mountains, Mulhacen and Pico Veleta on one side and the shimmering Mediterranean on the other.

Trevelez (from Órgiva), 32.5km and 1022m altitude gain - heading inland from our base get set for a long climb to Spain's highest village. The climb has a bit of everything, shallower straight sections as well as steeper hairpins bends through the famous 'white villages' and even descents as the climb winds through the Poquiera Valley. There are numerous turnings to pretty villages where you can top up your bottles from fountains of fresh spring water, including the seemingly endless switchbacks to Cañar and the dead end road (a gravel track continues to Pico Veleta) to Capileira, which hosted a finish of the Vuelta a España in 2015.

Minas, 13.3km and 845m altitude gain - a long climb at 13.3km but you are rewarded for your hard work with beautiful scenery and unbelievably quiet roads. You snake up from the valley through the village of Almegíjar and continue towards Trevélez with views of the Poquiera Valley stretching below and the abandoned mines which give the climb it's name.

La Cabra (from Almuñecar), 41km and 1340m altitude gain - coming from Órgiva, we often miss the coast road, instead taking the shorter climb via Ítrabo and a short descent onto the main climb from the coast. This is the old main road from the Almuñecar to the city of Granada and is locally known as La Cabra or the Goat's Path. These days the road is practically all yours to enjoy the views as you climb from the tropical fruit farms near the coast up to the rocky summit before a long, fast descent down towards Granada. There is just one town to replenish your food and water on the main climb but thankfully for such a long climb you will find a fountain as the gradient eases off towards the top.

Rubite, 12.8km and 847m altitude gain - until it was recently resurfaced this was possibly the hardest climb in the area, combining steep gradients with an unforgiving road surface. The new surface makes things a bit more manageable but still a tough test at the end of a long day climbing in land from the coast to the Haza de Lino ridge before a welcome final descent to Órgiva.

Polopos, 16.4km and 1179m altitude gain - another climb inland from the coast to the Haza de Lino which is used every spring for a hill climb race. This long climb has a fairly constant gradient with numerous switchbacks giving spectacular views. Don't be fooled, the village of Polopos is still over 6km from the end of the climb but you can stop here for water from a fountain in the village before continuing to the welcome sight of a cafe at the top and spectacular views across the Mediterranean.

Contraviesa (from Cadiar), 6.5km and 366m altitude gain - another mountain range leading to the sea with approaches from the coast or various inland routes. You might choose the gentler approach from Cadiar or the steep slopes from Torvizcón. The ridge at the top stretches across towards the Haza de Lino and features turn offs to Europe's highest vineyards, home of the protected Contraviesa-Alpujarra denominación.