Feb – 2020 – A few words and lot of pictures…
The endless 2019-2020 UK winter, prompted a change of plan. The Scottish Highlands had been hoped for, but not to spend a week there in poor conditions. With Europe being so accessible and relatively cheap ‘we’ – that being my eldest son ‘Henry’ and my youngest brother ‘Ben’ had a re-think and headed to southern Spain.
The sunlight, warmth and mountain solitude revitalised us all very nicely. The trip was a mix of activities and was made all the more fun by meeting a long-time-no-see cousin ‘Dan’, who was road tripping and kitesurfing around Europe …aka Living the Dream!
The Sierra Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas mountains are a deep and forested range, with an ever-changing landscape around every corner.
Their beauty is eye-searing and not expected for southern Spain!
Here are a few pictures and they don’t show everything, like all the wonderful wildlife, the sharp cold night skies, the snow-capped Sierra Nevada and all the wonderful scents in the air. The riding and the trekking in this region is second to none as well, there is a lovely network of old ‘pilgrims routes’.
The end of the Levardas and the start of the Barossa Gorge
Barrosa Gorge Upper.
Beautifully shaped rocks – reminding me of a Seahorse
Soaring eagles and limestone trails
The Long and Winding Road.
Typical ‘Plateau Refugio’ Rambla Seca (not a place of worship)
Viva La Spania!
Apple Blossom, dusty trails and a lovely bike!
Snow capped Sierra Nevada just ‘hanging there’ in the far distance.
Stream side cook spot.
The cliffs and castles of La Iruna
Casa Bicicleta – didn’t stay there, but a fascinating sight.
Closure of a good day with the sun setting over the Sierra Nevada
Refugio La Tinada del Serval
Refugio Azzaro
Special Refugio!
The endless road – 40km of high altitude dirt road. No trees, just Wildness.
The mighty Spanish Fir – there is nothing wrong in having a tree as a friend!
Edge of the mountains camp spot (Nr El Chorro)
Walking – the most ancient and still the best modern exercise!
Three Amigos a day off in Cazorla town – quite easy to spend a day here exploring.
Barrosa Gorge – biking extreme – surprisingly rideable and well worth visiting!
Levarda tunnels – fascinating exploring!
Curious / cheeky bothy fox
There is much more to discover in the Sierra Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas National Park and I am sure I will visit again very soon. I recommend it to you. More info for bike-packing is available on http://www.bikepacking.com. Or feel free to contact me for any help or advice.
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