Medium is where Berja shows its mountain side. These loops are longer days, between 87 and 93 km, with 1,500 to 2,100 metres of climbing, and they leave the town for the Sierra de Gádor and, on the longest of them, the Alpujarra of Granada.
They suit riders who are comfortable with a full day on the bike and want proper climbs without going to the high mountain.
The three loops at a glance
| Loop | Distance | Climbing |
|---|---|---|
| Medium 01 | 93 km | 2,075 m |
| Medium 02 | 87 km | 1,876 m |
| Medium 03 | 87 km | 1,529 m |
All three start and finish in Berja. They are proposals: we adapt distance and pace to the group.
Medium 01: Arbolillo, Benínar, Turón, Murtas, Lucainena and Darrícal
The longest and the one with the most climbing: 93 km, 2,075 m and five climbs, with a highest point around 1,320 m. It goes by the Benínar reservoir (km 15), passes close to Turón and Murtas, two villages of the Alpujarra of Granada, and comes back through Lucainena and Darrícal before reaching Berja.
Medium 02: Castala, Chirán, Alquería, La Parra, Adra and Río Chico
The most varied of the three: 87 km, 1,876 m and three climbs, with a highest point around 730 m. It starts with Castala (km 8) and Chirán, goes down to La Alquería and the coast at Adra, climbs to La Parra and comes back through the Río Chico valley.
Medium 03: Trebolar, Río Chico and Hirmes
The gentlest of the three: 87 km and 1,529 m, with two climbs and a highest point around 600 m. It goes through the Río Chico valley and ends with the Alto de Hirmes (km 78), a steady cruising climb of about 6.3 km at 4.7% on average.
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.
Looking for a gentler day? See our easy loops from Berja. Ready for more? See 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.
