Motorcycle trip
Andalusia by motorcycle: three days of mountain passes from Málaga
Three days and about 700 km, starting and ending in Málaga. The route climbs straight into the hills behind the city and spends most of its time on mountain roads: the Montes de Málaga, the edge of the Alpujarra, the coast at Nerja, Sierra Bermeja and the Serranía de Ronda.
Each night is a place to stay you can open on Motonest, and the stops along the way are passes and viewpoints worth pulling over for.
The days
Day 1 · 242 km · 4 h 23 min
Out of Málaga and up through the Montes de Málaga by Puerto Pereda and Puerto de las Fichas, then over Puerto del Sol and Puerto de los Alazores in the Sierra de Loja. A break at Loja, then east along the foot of Sierra Nevada to Lanjarón, the gateway to the Alpujarra.
On the way: Puerto Pereda, Puerto de Las Fichas, Puerto del Sol, Puerto de los Alazores, Abades Loja
Night at Hotel España
Day 2 · 291 km · 3 h 41 min
The longest day. Down to the coast for the views from Cerro Gordo and the Balcón de Europa in Nerja, then west past Málaga and back into the mountains: Puerto de las Ovejas, Sierra Bermeja by Puerto de la Teja and Peñas Blancas, and on to Ronda for the night.
On the way: Mirador de Cerro Gordo, Balcón de Europa, Puerto de las Ovejas, Puerto de la Teja, Peñas Blancas
Night at Hotel Andalucia
Day 3 · 169 km · 3 h 33 min
A shorter day to finish. Out of Ronda over Puerto de la Calerilla, Puerto de la Fresnedilla and Puerto Cabañas, then east to the limestone of El Torcal de Antequera before dropping back down to Málaga.
On the way: Puerto de la Calerilla, Puerto de la Fresnedilla, Puerto Cabañas, Torcal de Antequera
When to go
Spring (April to early June) and autumn (late September to early November). Summer inland is very hot, and the high passes can see snow and ice in winter.