The best traffic-free bike rides around Bayarque

If you are passing through the Sierra de los Filabres near the summit of Calar Alto, the Fuente La Merendera is an almost mandatory stop at 1882 meters above sea level. This spring is famous for its fresh water that gushes from the metamorphic rocks of the mountains. Officially, there is a sign warning that it is not drinkable, but that does not stop locals and many passers-by from queuing with jugs, attracted by its water. Although, it is a good idea to filter the water before drinking it. If you need a long break, just across the road you will find a recreational area complete with tables, barbecues, and a viewpoint with spectacular views.

Recreation area with drinking water fountain

Both mountain ranges ensure that it hardly rains in this semi-desert area.

Nice shady spots, benches and beautiful views.

A spectacular route through the southeast of the peninsula between the highlands of Granada in the Baza area towards the Almendricos district, already in the Murcia region, and passes through the Almanzora Valley in Almería. A route that for decades crossed a railway line that transported tons of iron and other merchandise

Take plenty of water, there is none at the top.

The Cuatro Caminos pass is a strategic pass, it ends the important slopes and is key to keeping the route at the average altitude until the Caniles highway. The departure from the protected natural area of the mountain range is notable for the change in environment, there are traces of deforestation and the peaks of the mountain range look like plateaus reminiscent of other latitudes. In the background, the white spheres of the astronomical radars of Calar Alto finally appear, the ceiling of the cycle tour and the main challenge of the day. The route immediately leaves the road that goes down towards Escúllar and continues along the mountain range. The road surface is acceptable until the Loma de las Piedras de Ayala, the ground gets much worse and the slope is considerable, it is two uncomfortable kilometers to the natural viewpoint of the Piedras del Deseo, an inspiring name where there are some corrals and fantastic views of the Gulf of Almería, an arc bluish by the waves of the Mediterranean between Punta Entinas and Cabo de Gata. The track improves significantly, passing through the Pingarra hill and connecting with the road that goes up to Calar Alto. On the ditch there are signs for cyclists with the distance and percentage of the slope. The day we spent there was a blizzard, it was cloudy and we couldn't enjoy the views at all, a shame after the four long hours of climbing. Some souvenir photos, all the clothes on and at full speed to Bacares, a town that seems exiled in a wild and lonely corner of the Sierra de los Filabres, surrounded by ravines and mountains. Passing through the town is not obligatory, the main road passes through the detour, you can see the hamlet that is on the opposite slope and continue the descent towards Tíjola.

The stage ends in Serón, a mountain town famous for drying hams, sausages, traditional sweets, cheeses, oil and other products of local gastronomy. The old train station is the best example of mining railway architecture on the Vía Verde Natural Trail of the Almanzora Valley, it has the passenger lobby building, with the characteristic British-style canopy, remains of the rails, loading docks, warehouses goods, rotating platform for trains, mineral loading, water tanks and garages. And it also has a modern planetarium and Interpretation Center. Local services are a couple of kilometers away from the road.