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ABOUT EL SUR

El Sur is a self-supported bikepacking EVENT, beginning in the coastal city of Málaga, venturing deep into the wild mountains of Andalucía in their height of Spring colours, before returning to the sea.

El Sur, Spanish for The South, takes its name from the deep pride and affection Andalusians have for their homeland. It felt only fitting to honour the warmth, beauty, and spirit riders will experience while travelling through southern Spain. Andalucía is a remarkable landscape: vast, rugged, and sparsely populated beyond its towns and cities. Where human presence fades in the mountains, nature thrives.

The route is designed to be fun and at times challenging, but not unnecessarily difficult. Created as a season opener, El Sur is an invitation to shake off winter, wake up the legs, and ride beneath the warmth of the southern Spanish spring sun.

 

The event logo pays tribute to the majestic female Iberian Ibex (Cabra montés), a symbol of the wild terrain riders will pass through. While the route passes through the land of the Ibex, riders are merely visitors in their world, with luck offering riders the chance to glimpse one of these extraordinary creatures in the wild.

 
 

THE DETAILS

Entry opens: Thursday 16 July 2026

Start: Sunday 14 March 2027

Registration: Saturday 13 March 2027 (afternoon)

Start/finish location: Málaga city, Spain 

Stats: Circa 800km / 15,000m

Surface: 40% off-road / 60% tarmac

Event closing party: Friday 19 March 2027 

Maximum no. participants: 200  

Cost: €395 (inc. VAT 21%). Minimum 50% due at point of entry, remaining balance due in November.

Tracker: GSM tracker included in cost / Satellite tracker with SOS function extra cost.

 

Andalucía

THE SOUTH; IT’S THE PEOPLE, THE CULTURE, THE LANDSCAPES AND THE WARMTH

Forget any assumptions you might have about southern Spain because we are going to show you the authentic Andalucía. For centuries, Andalucía has stood at the crossroads of cultures. Its land has been shaped by migration, trade, conquest, and coexistence. This rich cultural history is clear to see and feel, from early North African agricultural influence to the legacy of the Greeks, Romans, and Moors - the region carries layers of stories.

Málaga itself traces its roots back to around 770 BC, when the Phoenicians (seafarers from the eastern Mediterranean, in present-day Lebanon and Syria) first established a settlement on these shores. Since then, the city has remained a permanent gateway between continents, cultures, and people.

Andalucía is far more than beaches and desert landscapes. It is mountain aquifers, hidden lakes, rolling hills, endless olive groves, and quiet roads that lead through wild open spaces. And, most importantly there is the amazing food; local, fresh and ready to fuel you forwards!

 
 

THE ROUTE

For us, routes are everything

We have spent months traversing Andalucía, connecting with locals along the way while we purposefully got lost, slowly finding our way again, and piecing together a journey that links the region’s hidden highlights. Designed to be fun, El Sur is challenging without being unnecessarily hard. With highs and lows, fast sections and slow moments, hard efforts and time to breathe, we believe this route will be an exceptional journey.

The off-road terrain isn’t always smooth, rain can leave surfaces rough and rocky, while the tarmac sections are almost entirely quiet, single-lane backroads – often in disrepair. There are high mountain crossings, and occasionally you may need to step off the bike and push, but these are not ‘hike-a-bike’ and a rider with mountain bike skills could ride the entire route. However, if you lack these skills, you may simply need to walk your bike a little, an opportunity to slow down and experience the surrounding beauty better!

For those who want to push themselves, the route could be completed in as little as two days. Or, for those riders looking to savour the experience, you may choose spend a week out on the route, enjoying the sunsets and sunrises on offer.

 

ROUTE MOMENTS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

FAQs

  • El Sur is a self-supported mixed-surface bikepacking event from the seaside city of Málaga out into the wild mountains of Andalucía and back to the beach.

  • Circa. 800 kilometers and 15,000 meters of climbing. We do have a full route already set, however the final route will depend on finalising permissions and a scouting post winter 2026.

  • A fun mix of off-road and quiet tarmac backroads, with beautiful mountain climbs and vistas to reward the effort.

    There are long mountain climbs, and some short sections where you might need to push your bike. With a hardtail we are able to ride the entire route.  

  • Yes around 40% of the kilometers will be off-road and 60% on quiet tarmac roads. Roughly two thirds of the riding time will be off-road.

  • Some off the off-road sections are rougher, with rain having damaged the surface. We tried to avoid the worst terrain however on a few occasions it’s worth some slightly bad off-road so that we can get to the amazing places that the route takes you.

    There will be a few short sections of single track, however they are walkable if your skills are lacking.

  • If you want a FUN adventure in the Spanish spring sun then yes! Some off-road riding experience would be useful, but if you enter without any, you can work on this coming into the event.

  • Yes, you are welcome to enter as a pair. This can be done through the entry form. 

  • March in Andalucía is spring, the weather should be nice for cycling. Warm afternoons and cool nights. Rain is possible but not the standard. However with climate change, nothing can be predicted for certain.

  • Yes very, the route passes through towns at helpful intervals to facilitate this.

  • An off-road suitable bike, so a gravel bike or mountain bike depending on your preference. We think the ideal bike would be rigid bike with 50mm tyres, but it is ridable on narrower (just a bit rougher) and with suspension would be more comfortable and faster downhill.

    The uphill can be steep, so small gearing is advised, we often used 32x51 in the scouting, remember you’ll be loaded up!

  • Yes, rider registration and briefing will be held in person in the afternoon on Saturday 13th March 2027.

  • Yes, we hope to arrange storage of small bags and bike boxes for a small supplement cost, paid to to the location.

  • No, it is not allowed to pre-book any accommodation before the event starts. This is so rooms are not taken up with riders who may not arrive on schedule. 

  • If your bike breaks you can take public transport or hitch to a shop to fix it. Once your bike is working you should use it, or public transport to get back on route.

  • Scratching can be done via email. You are responsible to make your own way back to Málaga or onwards.

  • Yes, to cover accident, liability, and repatriation, while taking part in a cycling event. 

  • Cycle!

    Train

    Bus

    Drive/car share

    Fly 

  • Yes, there will be a closing party in the evening on Friday 19th March 2027.

  • No, 50% is due upfront then the remaining 50% in November. However, if possible, please pay the full amount upfront.

    • Organised event

    • GPX route file with points of interest

    • Tracker hire and service

    • Online registration and briefings

    • Event memento

    • Event coverage

    • Event photos

    • Online discussion group

  • Tracking is done via Follow My Challenge. The trackers provided in the entry cost are GSM (sim card) based trackers and do not have an SOS emergency button.

    Phone signal is generally very good across the route. However, if you want complete coverage and total security, we recommend you source and use a Satellite based tracker: Garmin Inreach or Spot.

    There is no discount for bringing and using your own tracker. However, we are happy to assist in processing the information for your own tracker with Follow My Challenge.

  • 50% upfront payment at point of entry is non-refundable.

     

    The second 50% payment is refundable until 4 weeks before the start date, if you cancel for any reason.

     

    In the 4 weeks before event – entry is non-refundable but can be transferred to the following edition due to medical issue with proof (there will be a 100eur charge for costs incurred due at the following edition).