Los Guájares – Valle de Lecrín Motorbike Route

If you fancy a short but intense ride, the kind that leaves a grin stuck to your helmet, the Los Guájares – Valle de Lecrín combination is a safe bet. In around 4 to 5 hours you find yourself between sea and mountains, linking bends with little traffic and passing through charming villages in inland Granada. And if you ride it on a BMW F800GS, everything clicks: it is the “just right” adventure bike, light and playful on this kind of road.

The experience starts at Marina del Este (La Herradura), one of those starting points that puts you in travel mode from the very first minute. The idea is simple: set off hugging the sea, climb into the mountains on a legendary road and return to the Mediterranean after crossing the Valle de Lecrín and the Los Guájares area.

Quick facts:

Distance: ~150 km
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Difficulty: moderate
Route type: mountains, views, countryside

Recommended itinerary (and why it works so well)

The highlight is the climb up the Carretera de la Cabra (A-4050): an old mountain road linking the coast and the interior, which today is a real playground for motorcyclists, with flowing bends, viewpoints and little traffic.

Next, the route crosses the Valle de Lecrín, with a stop in Padul to stretch your legs and grab a drink, and carries on through villages such as Cozvíjar and Restábal, among olive groves, almond trees and panoramic views (with Sierra Nevada peeking out on a clear day).

The final stretch heads down towards Guájar Fondón and the Los Guájares area along quiet back roads: the perfect place to enjoy the riding, the rhythm and the scenery without rushing. From there, it is back to Marina del Este to close the loop by the sea.

The best stops (without breaking the flow)

Viewpoints on the A-4050: for a quick photo (and to remind yourself that you are in Granada, not on a racetrack).
Padul: a natural stop for a coffee/soft drink and a mental reset before carrying on.
Cozvíjar–Restábal rural stretch: quiet tarmac, open landscape and a smooth rhythm.
Los Guájares: back roads with that “authentic” touch that makes the route special.

Why this route is perfect for a BMW F800GS

This route mixes bends, changes of pace, mountain roads and narrower rural stretches. Exactly the terrain where the BMW F800GS shines:

Real manoeuvrability: through linked bends and tight turns it feels “easier” than a heavy maxi-adventure bike.
Balanced adventure bike: comfortable for 150 km, yet agile enough to enjoy twisty roads.
Confidence on varying tarmac: on back roads (which may have bumpy or dirty patches) a mid-size adventure bike gives you that extra peace of mind.
Riding position and control: you sit high, see far ahead and place the bike precisely – ideal when you want to enjoy yourself without fighting the machine.

In short: the F800GS lets you focus on what matters… the bends, the scenery and the experience.

Quick tips before you set off

Wear long trousers and sturdy footwear (the basics).
In spring/autumn: a warm layer; the air changes in the sierra.
Sun cream and sunglasses, even if it “seems” the sun isn’t strong.
Better to allow plenty of time and do the route the “scenic” way, not the “fast” way.

Would you like to do it guided or with the route already planned? Tropical Riders offer it as a tour starting from Marina del Este, with a choice of BMW or Harley-Davidson and everything you need to ride.