I used to think that, in order to see and feel extraordinary things, I had to leave; leave home and journey far away to search for these emotions.
Until now, across my many group cycling and bikepacking trips so far, it has been like this. But not this time. The National Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas, only 270km from home, was an insuperable surprise. Located between the provinces of Castilla la Mancha and Andalucía, these three highlands together are an incomparable setting of nature, culture and gastronomy. The small villages that shape this Natural Park are – each and every one of them – all absolutely charming.
Our circular route of five days, was composed both gravel roads and asphalt, following usually the popular GR-247 trail and another small and magical secondary roads. Over each kilometre, the landscapes were changing – from dense forests which remind us more closely to the north of Spain, to the 2000m altitude desert-like moonscapes, more reminiscent of the Region of Indian Himalaya, and of course, riding the traditional challenging asphalt mountain passes. Kilometre after kilometre, step by step, we were falling in love with this fantastic region forged by mountains, tradition, everything yet nothing.
We will definitely be back…
Photos & Words
Pedro Mecinas Martínez
RAINSPOTTING
Six of us alight the sleeper train at Corrour - the highest, remotest station on the West Highland Line - and 'go for a w̶a̶l̶k̶ ride' through the wintry, gloomy Grampian Mountains of Scotland. We track the old-established north-south drove roads and, in true drover style, explore the alluring moorland voids in between...
by STEFAN AMATO & DAVID SEAR
RAINSPOTTING
Six of us alight the sleeper train at Corrour - the highest, remotest station on the West Highland Line - and 'go for a w̶a̶l̶k̶ ride' through the wintry, gloomy Grampian Mountains of Scotland. We track the old-established north-south drove roads and, in true drover style, explore the alluring moorland voids in between...