Hidden Tracks Gravel Training Camp

Most days there are two graded routes, typically ranging from Blue through Red to Black. One takes on more technical or longer terrain, while the other keeps things steadier while still giving you plenty to practise.

With two coaches we can split the group according to experience and what you want to work on. Both groups are guided, nobody gets dropped, and we regroup during the day. There will often be the option to swap groups for the afternoon too.

You don't need to be an expert gravel rider.

You should have some experience riding off road, be comfortable on normal gravel tracks and bridleways, and have enough general cycling fitness for several hours on the bike.

The camp is graded Blue to Black, so there's plenty of room to progress. If you're relatively new to gravel, the Blue routes give you the chance to build your skills and confidence. More experienced riders can take on the Red and Black options, with harder terrain and coaching to match.

This isn't an introduction to riding a bike off road, but you certainly don't need to arrive able to ride everything. That's what the coaching is for.

8–10 riders in total, with two coaches. Riding groups will normally be no more than 5–6 riders, so there's plenty of opportunity for individual coaching during the day.

Each group rides with a coach, so we can work at different levels and nobody gets dropped.

A support van runs between the groups with two crew, carrying the luggage and ready to help with mechanicals or give you and your bike a lift if needed.

Locally owned hotels throughout, no chains, no generic stays. Expect real variety: comfortable cave rooms on the edge of the Gorafe Desert, a friendly rural retreat near the Alhambra in Granada, and in Granada itself, a hotel that's pure kitsch vintage glamour. More on each in our ride guides.

No meeting times, no waiting around the airport. Fly into Málaga any time on the 13th. The metro is bike-box friendly and runs frequently straight into the city centre, with the hotel just two minutes from the stop. Airport to hotel door is under 40 minutes and costs €3–4. Plenty of time to unpack and fettle your bike on the hotel's large terrace before the group dinner that evening. Fly home any time after breakfast on the 20th.

• Coaching and guiding from two experienced off-road coaches
• Graded daily routes from Blue to Black
• 7 nights in locally owned hotels
• Breakfast daily
• Luggage transfers between hotels
• Full van support, tools, and rider rescue if needed
• Bike box storage for the week
• Minibus transfer, Almería to Málaga, on the final day

• Lunches and dinners (except where noted)
• Málaga airport transfer (metro is bike-box friendly)

• £1,950 shared room / £2,550 private room
• £200 deposit confirms your place, paid at booking
• The remaining balance is paid directly by bank transfer, 4 weeks before departure. Details sent by email in good time.

If you regularly ride a bike, have some experience riding off road and are comfortable on ordinary gravel tracks and bridleways, you've got the starting point we're looking for. You don't need to arrive able to tackle everything on the trip. That's what the coaching is for.

You'll need a reasonable level of cycling fitness for several hours on the bike and consecutive days of riding, but this isn't a race and nobody gets dropped.

A gravel bike set up tubeless, with 40mm+ tyres recommended. Get it serviced before you come. This isn't the week to find out your bottom bracket's on its way out.

Don't worry too much about choosing before you arrive. The riding is graded from Blue through Red to Black and, with two coaches, we can split the group according to experience and what you want to work on.

You can move between groups during the week as your confidence, skills and legs dictate. If you're unsure, email us a little about your recent riding and we'll point you in the right direction.

Nobody gets dropped. We're a small group with two coaches, so we can ride at different levels rather than expecting everyone to keep up with the fastest rider.

If one day your legs aren't playing ball, take the steadier route. And if you've had enough altogether, the support van is there for you and your bike. This is training, not a test of survival.

Not at all. It's for gravel riders who want to get better. That might mean becoming more confident on loose descents, learning to pick better lines, getting up climbs you currently walk, or riding technical terrain more smoothly and quickly.

And if you're already an experienced rider, the Red and Black routes give us plenty of scope to push your skills further. Different starting points, same idea: come home a better gravel rider.

The £200 deposit is paid through Eventrac at booking and confirms your place. The remaining balance is paid directly to us by bank transfer, 4 weeks before departure, rather than through Eventrac. It keeps costs down on both sides, and we'll send full details well ahead of the deadline.

• Saturday, 13th March — arrive in Málaga
• Sunday, 14th March — riding begins, Into the Montes de Málaga
• Monday, 15th March — Antequera to Alhama de Granada
• Tuesday, 16th March — Olive Country to Granada
• Wednesday, 17th March — Granada to Guadix
• Thursday, 18th March — The Badlands of Gorafe
• Friday, 19th March — Sierra de Baza to the Sea
• Saturday, 20th March — depart Málaga

Variable. Cool mornings, warm afternoons, occasional rain in the hills. Bring layers.