Tarifa, located at the southernmost point of Europe, is especially known as the Mecca for kite and windsurfers. But what many people don't know is that Tarifa The sky on Earth is also great for gravel bikers. We ride the ‘Fin del continente’, or the end of the world, here. And that describes exactly the feeling you sometimes have when you go gravel biking in Tarifa.
Riding a gravel bike in Tarifa is a real treat
With views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other, gravel biking in Tarifa is a delight. Unlike much of the coast on the Mediterranean, nature here remains untouched. From the moment you step on the bike, you are enchanted by the kilometers of sandy beaches where hundreds of kites dance in the air and the green-blue sea sparkles. You will find protected nature reserves with rolling hills and a green landscape, where millions of birds trek annually on their way to Africa. With a little luck, you might spot whales, dolphins, and even orcas in the waters around Tarifa.
Animal mayhem
We start our 45-kilometer bike tour at Repack Bicycles in Tarifa. From there, we cycle a bit along the provincial road. As you might expect in Tarifa, it’s quite windy, so we have to pedal hard. Soon we take a turn and drive into the countryside. We zoom past cows standing on the road and not giving a damn about cyclists.
After that, a steep climb begins to the top of the mountain. Looking back, we can see kilometers away: we see the sandy beaches, the white houses of Tarifa, and the coast of Morocco. The further we cycle, the quieter it gets and the rougher the roads become. Except for a few farmers and cyclists, it’s mostly animals we encounter. Horses, goats, donkeys, pigs, cows—they all walk around freely here.
Cooling at a water well
We cycle on kilometers-long gravel paths that wind through the mountainous landscape. Since we didn’t get a water bottle from the rental, we could only bring along a small amount of water. Not enough. The cooling ocean breeze is therefore very welcome, but it regularly disappears behind one of the hills. The Andalusian heat is then quite noticeable. On about a third of the route we hear the sound of running water. It turns out to be a water pipe that flows into a well. Very nice! We fill our bottle and splash some water in our faces. The cooling water feels good and then we start the final stretch of the climb.
Ocean wind in the Strait of Gibraltar
When we reach the top, we are immediately rewarded with another fantastic view. The Monte Musa, an 800-meter-high mountain in northern Morocco, appears before us. Cargo ships sail through the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the busiest waterways in the world. As we cross the mountain, the descent along the provincial road to Tarifa begins. As soon as we hit the road, the ocean wind immediately picks up again. It blows so hard that it slows us down somewhat. After all the heat, I get a little cold for a moment.
And then we are back in Tarifa. After a nice bike ride, you can take a breath in the cozy town with its narrow white streets. Have a cake at La Tarifeña, an authentic family bakery. Enjoy the best tapas at Bar El Frances or lie down in a beach tent for a cold drink and a refreshing dip in the Atlantic Ocean. A concrete bridge has been built between the town and the nearby island, separating the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, a unique place in Europe at the southernmost tip that you definitely shouldn’t miss.
Tips:
- Renting a gravel bike proved to be quite difficult in Tarifa. You can see them around, but the rental companies don't seem to be very far along yet. There are, however, plenty of options for renting a mountain bike. That's what we did at Repack Bicycles for 25 euros per day. If you still want a gravel bike, you could also look into Algeciras (20 km away). There are more bike shops there. or CyclingRentals.
- Bring plenty of water and food. There are almost no places to eat along the way.
- In Tarifa, the wind blows for about three hundred days a year. At the end of the afternoon, the wind is generally stronger than in the morning. Offshore winds coming from inland are stronger and more erratic than ocean winds coming from the coast.
Read more about Nynke’s adventures here:
- https://cyclingdestination.cc/verhalen/bikepacking-trip-in-een-vreemd-land
- https://cyclingdestination.cc/verhalen/fietsroute-in-noord-drenthe-dwars-door-het-veen
- https://cyclingdestination.cc/verhalen/gravelen-in-de-achterhoek-de-hit-van-2022
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.