Seb and Hippys adventure
Dear Russ, "GS Heaven"
Seb from France, and Steve from the UK, age 37 and 35, experience road and off road riders, working for Thomascook airlines.
We would like to share with you and your future clients some of the roads, and off roads sections suitable for the GS 1200 Adventure which we discovered in this amazing part of southern spain on your fabulous bikes, in May 2007!
This has been for us one of the best biking trips so far in Europe, in 15 years of Motorcycling experience!
Be aware you are not riding a light enduro bike but a big heavy expensive BMW which can be hard work on small tracks and even on some tarmac roads! Once more do not attenpt off road sections if you have never done it before!
I am sure your next clients will want some advise from you and from other riders.
Here are the 1000km loop which we did in 3 days:
Day 1:
The Lakes: (aprox. 6 to 8 hours tour, day ride, or over night!)
Leaving ALHAURIN, find route A 357 heading north, head North east on the A 343 towards ALORA.
From ALORA either take the MA 441 heading west towards CARRATRACA or North towards DES FILADERO DE LOS GAINTANES. You are entering the Lakes!
Our suggestion is to explore this area for a couple of hours if you have time! Lots of tracks and small roads can be discovered in this area! There is plenty of tracks which leads you to the edge of the lakes ( remember to switch off the ABS on the bike when you go off road). There are 2 lakes to view, both well worth it! These can be access from various tracks suitable for the GS! Only attempt
tracks if you have off road experiences with big bikes! Lots of remotes spots for Wild camping if you want a true adventure!
Check point at ARDALES! (Camp site available here with shower facilities)
From ARDALES there is a brilliant off road section aprox. 1 hour ride! Around Ortegicar peak (963m)
off road section from ARDALES
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how to find it?
When you are in Ardales ask a local where is the Ortegicar peak, eldelconde de Guadalhorce! They should point you to the right direction which is west of the Town! You should see an up hill track from the town anyway! You need to cross a small bridge (river crossing) passing over Rio turon (this is the name of the small river, Stream really)! Try to find this track it is well worth it!
view of Ortegicar peak
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This off road section finishing at a junction of road MA 478!
Go North towards EL BURGO and then head to COIN to find your way home!
On the way you can stop to Yunquera village and then Tolox where you can also find tracks here!
Your choice is yours! You can or go back to the start or stay back in a hotel or find a camp site or even wild camp and carry on...
Day 2 :
RONDA (camp sites, hotels) , VILLAMARTIN, ARCOS, UBRIQUE loop: (Day ride 8 to 10 hours or 2 days)
Ronda’s bridge
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From where we left it at EL BURGO take the A 366 towards RONDA! Great road!!! Beautiful town!
If you want to see the bridge and want a kodak moment, find the small track (road) which lead you to the bottom of the bridge! If you follow the edge of the cliff you will find a track which leads to it! Sorry no signs at all, just find it, well worth it !
When you finish with the town head towards VILLAMARTIN on the A 376, A 382!
There is so much to do here!! All the small roads heading west between RONDA and VILLAMARTIN are great which should be on your left hand side! Lots of loops to do, small roads, tracks, lakes, canyons, very nice villages to discover here!
On the way to the canyon
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Steve river crossing
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From Villarmartin, you have 2 choices or stay on the main road the A 382 towards ARCOS or take the A 373 south then turn right on the CAP 5234 towards EL SANTICAL.
A 372 then A 373 towards UBRIQUE. Stay on the A 373 towards Cortes de la Frontera, head to Algatocin on the A 369, then head North towards Atajate, right on the MA 515, MA 516, MA 525 which is the same road then you should end up back on the A 376. Once more plenty of tracks to discover around here!
Camping in Arcos
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Continued in part 2
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The Bikes
