Medium is where the Filabres show their best side. These loops are between 70 and 76 km, with 1,450 to 1,870 metres of climbing, and two of the three reach the Calar Alto observatory, at around 2,150 m, the signature climb of the area.
They suit riders who are comfortable with a full day on the bike and want a proper mountain climb without going for the longest days.
The three loops at a glance
| Loop | Distance | Climbing |
|---|---|---|
| Medium 01 | 71 km | 1,799 m |
| Medium 02 | 76 km | 1,872 m |
| Medium 03 | 70 km | 1,446 m |
All three start and finish in Armuña de Almanzora. They are proposals: we adapt distance and pace to the group.
Medium 01: Serón, Menas, Calar Alto, Ramal and Bacares
The one that goes to the top and comes back the other way: 71 km and 1,799 m, with a highest point around 2,150 m. It goes through Serón (km 10), climbs by the Collado del Ramal (km 24) to the Calar Alto observatory (km 36), and then comes down through Bacares (km 52).
Medium 02: Tíjola, Collado Ramal, Calar Alto and Serón
The one with the most climbing: 76 km, 1,872 m and three climbs, with a highest point around 2,150 m. It reaches the Collado del Ramal (km 24) and the observatory (km 35) and returns through Serón (km 66), passing about 2 km from Tíjola, before the last kilometres back to Armuña.
Medium 03: Higueral, Cela, Sierro, Purchena and Silveria
The one for a day in the valley and the foothills: 70 km and 1,446 m, with three climbs and a highest point around 1,030 m. It goes by Higueral (km 16), Cela (km 23), Sierro (km 35) and Purchena (km 48), the heart of the Almanzora valley, with white villages, olive and almond trees and very little traffic.
Calar Alto is a real mountain climb. Snow and cold can make the top difficult in winter, so check the road before you go and carry an extra layer.
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. Ready for more? See our hard loops from Armuña de Almanzora. Want to know more about the area? See our guide to the Filabres and Calar Alto.
When to come
The best months are September to November and March to June. In winter, the top of Calar Alto can have snow and cold. In spring the contrast between the dry valley and the pine forest above is striking.
