Transnevada MTB Loop, Sierra Nevada (Summer Stages)

A big, wild loop around Spain’s Sierra Nevada built for summer riding. This version uses the high tracks that are usually snowed in the rest of the year, linking long gravel climbs, 4x4 tracks, and a few quiet roads between mountain villages.

Expect a serious multi‑day bikepacking ride: roughly 400+ km with about 17,000 m of climbing. Most of it is unpaved and remote-feeling, with just short bits of tarmac to connect sectors. Views hit hard—think sweeping ridgelines and constant glimpses of Mulhacén and Veleta—plus classic whitewashed villages for coffee, food, and refills.

Best ridden late spring to early autumn once snow has cleared. Summers get hot, so start early, carry plenty of water, and plan resupplies; there are towns along the way, but some stretches are long and exposed. Steady gearing and good brakes matter on the big ups and downs. An MTB or tough gravel setup with wide tires works best.

It’s a loop, so you can jump on from many towns around the range and ride it in either direction. If you’re after high-mountain gravel with minimal traffic and maximum scenery, the Transnevada summer stages deliver.