The best gravel rides around Comares

Gravel biking around Comares is characterized by mountainous terrain with significant climbs and descents. You'll ride through diverse landscapes including vineyards, olive groves, and almond trees, offering varied scenery throughout your journey. The region is situated 700 meters above sea level, providing constant panoramic views of the Axarquía valley and the Montes de Málaga Natural Park.

There are several challenging gravel bike routes around Comares. Our guide features 6 routes, all rated as difficult, designed to showcase the best of the region's landscape and provide a rewarding experience for experienced gravel bikers.

Comares, known as the 'Balcony of Axarquía,' offers stunning panoramic views. Specific viewpoints like the Mirador Balcón de la Axarquía and the Boar Viewpoint provide breathtaking vistas of the Axarquía valley, Montes de Málaga Natural Park, and the Sierra Tejeda mountains. Many routes, such as the Miguel Álvarez Viewpoint – El Aguadero Bridge loop from Taj Majal, incorporate these expansive views.

The gravel bike routes in Comares are generally considered difficult. They feature challenging gradients and notable elevation changes, making them suitable for experienced riders seeking a physical challenge. All routes listed in our guide are rated as difficult.

Yes, the village of Comares itself is a significant attraction with a rich Moorish heritage. You can explore its labyrinthine streets, traditional architecture, and historical sites like the Comares Castle (Hisn Comarix), the Aljibe de Mazmúllar (a 13th-century Mozarabic cistern), and the Mudejar-style Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación. Ceramic footprints guide visitors through the village's cobbled streets, highlighting its history and culture. The Comares Village is a highlight in itself.

The longest route featured in our guide is the Montes Road – Camino de Olías loop from Ventas el Conde. This challenging trail spans 77.8 km (48.3 miles) and typically takes around 7 hours and 2 minutes to complete, leading through mountainous landscapes with over 2000 meters of elevation gain.

The gravel biking experience in Comares is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.0 stars. Over 30 gravel bikers have used komoot to explore the varied terrain, often praising the challenging ascents, rewarding panoramic views, and the diverse landscapes of olive and almond groves.

Yes, the region around Comares features several mountain passes that can be part of a challenging gravel ride. Notable passes include the Bolina Pass and Puerto de Sábar. These offer additional climbing challenges and often provide spectacular views.

For a challenging loop, consider the Carretera/Serranilla Monolith – Monolith of the Wind loop from Venta Galwey. This difficult 33.0 km (20.5 miles) path winds through diverse terrain with significant elevation changes, offering a rewarding experience for experienced gravel bikers.

The diverse scenery around Comares changes with the seasons. While specific weather conditions vary, late winter and early spring are particularly beautiful when the almond trees are in bloom, adding a pink blush to the mountainsides. The region's elevated position means it can be cooler than coastal areas, but generally, spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures for cycling.

If you're looking for a challenging ride that's not the longest, the Benamargosa – Benamargosa loop from Los Pérez is a good option. This difficult route covers 34.5 km (21.4 miles) with over 700 meters of elevation gain, typically completed in about 2 hours and 36 minutes.