El Sur

El Sur – Málaga, Spain

• Date: 14 March 2027
• Location: Málaga, Spain
• Distances: 800 km
• Event Type: Self-supported Bikepacking

El Sur is a self-supported bikepacking event in Spain, starting and finishing in the coastal city of Málaga. The route journeys deep into the mountains of Andalucía, timed to catch the landscape in its full spring colours before returning to the Mediterranean Sea. It is an invitation to leave winter behind and awaken the legs under the warmth of the southern Spanish sun. The name, El Sur, reflects the deep affection that Andalusians hold for their homeland, a sentiment riders will come to understand as they pedal through this vast and rugged region.

The route itself is approximately 800 kilometres with around 15,000 metres of elevation gain. The parcours has been designed to be enjoyable and challenging, but not punishing. It is a true mixed-surface experience, with a composition of roughly 60% quiet tarmac lanes and 40% off-road tracks. While the off-road sections can be rough in places, and some singletrack is present, the course is entirely rideable. Moments may arise where a rider might choose to walk a short, steep section, but there is no mandatory hike-a-bike.

This bikepacking event in Spain is structured as a season opener, a chance to find a rhythm on quiet roads and remote trails. The terrain is varied, from long mountain climbs with rewarding vistas to fast-flowing sections and quiet moments of reflection. While some may choose to complete the distance in a couple of days, many will take up to a week, savouring the sunrises and sunsets over the Andalusian landscape. The route is well-supported with towns for resupply at regular intervals.

The spirit of the event is captured in its emblem: the Iberian Ibex, a symbol of the wild terrain the route explores. Riders are visitors in this ancient landscape, a place where nature thrives when human presence fades. Beyond the beaches many associate with southern Spain, the route reveals a land of mountain aquifers, hidden lakes, and rolling hills covered in olive groves. This is an opportunity to discover the authentic Andalucía, a region with a rich history at the crossroads of cultures. There are many other gravel events in Spain, but El Sur offers a unique perspective on the south.

Registration for the event opens on July 16, 2026, with rider check-in taking place in Málaga on the afternoon of Saturday, March 13, 2027, ahead of the Sunday start. The week concludes with a celebratory closing party on Friday, March 19. The event is self-supported, and riders are encouraged to choose a suitable gravel or mountain bike with appropriate gearing for steep climbs. More details can be found on the official event website.