"Easy" in Berja does not mean flat. It means shorter days, between 46 and 65 km, on quiet roads and without a big mountain pass, with 940 to 1,330 metres of climbing spread over the whole ride. You start in the town, climb gently into the foothills of the Sierra de Gádor, and come back in time for lunch.
These are the three loops we recommend for a first day, a recovery day or a group with mixed levels.
The three loops at a glance
| Loop | Distance | Climbing |
|---|---|---|
| Easy 01 | 46 km | 941 m |
| Easy 02 | 64 km | 1,334 m |
| Easy 03 | 65 km | 1,139 m |
All three start and finish in Berja. They are proposals: we adapt distance and pace to the group.
Easy 01: Benínar, Darrícal and Alcolea
The shortest of the three, and the one that gets highest: around 830 m. It goes by the Benínar reservoir (km 16) and the village of Darrícal (km 20), and passes close to Alcolea, one of the villages of the Alpujarra of Almería. Two climbs, and a good first look at the mountains behind Berja.
Easy 02: Río Chico, La Parra and Alquería
The one with the most climbing of the three: 1,334 m in 64 km, with two climbs and a highest point around 620 m. It goes through the Río Chico valley, climbs to La Parra (km 29) and comes down to La Alquería, near Adra, before the last kilometres back to Berja.
Easy 03: Dalías, the coast, Río Chico and Hirmes
The most varied loop. It goes by Dalías, reaches the coast (sea level, around km 26), comes back through Río Chico and finishes with the Alto de Hirmes, a steady cruising climb of about 6.3 km at 4.7% on average. The highest point is around 600 m.
What's free here, and what's in the guide
This page tells you which loops exist and what kind of day each one is. The online guide (25 € per area, one guide for the whole group) is where we give you everything you need to ride them without a doubt:
- The GPX track for each loop, ready for your Garmin, Wahoo or phone.
- A detailed map with the route drawn on it.
- Where to stop for water, coffee and lunch, and what is closed on which day.
- The tricky junctions, the roads to avoid and the best time to start.
- Our own tips, from people who ride these roads every week.
Ready for more? See our medium loops and our hard loops, with the Puerto de la Ragua. Want to know more about the area? See our guide to Berja and La Ragua.
When to come
The best months are February to June and September to November. In spring the slopes are green and the temperatures are ideal. In autumn the light is soft and the roads are even quieter.
