One of the most scenic mountain drives in southern Spain

The route from Ronda to Jimena de la Frontera, passing through Gaucín and San Pablo de Buceite, is considered one of the most beautiful scenic drives in Andalusia.

Leaving Ronda, you follow the A-369, a serpentine mountain road that climbs and dips through the Serranía de Ronda. This stretch is known for its dramatic mountain vistas, deep valleys and gorges, and constant panoramic viewpoints. It’s a favourite route for cyclists thanks to its twists, elevation changes, and spectacular scenery.

Gaucín – the “Balcony of the Serranía”

Gaucín sits high on an exposed ridge and is famous for its white-village charm, breathtaking views all the way to Gibraltar and, on clear days, even Morocco. The Castillo del Águila (Eagle’s Castle) crowns the hilltop and dominates the surrounding landscape.

Descending toward San Pablo de Buceite, the scenery shifts from rugged mountains to citrus groves and cork-oak forests. The whole section feels untouched and peaceful, especially between Gaucín and Jimena. It’s also a hotspot for wildlife and bird-watching: griffon vultures often circle overhead, migrating raptors pass through in certain seasons, and the cork-oak and chestnut forests provide a rich natural backdrop.

And then comes the final highlight: the 8.4 km downhill towards Los Ángeles, dropping 510 vertical metres on a continuously winding road without a single straight section. It’s an exhilarating descent that you’ll certainly enjoy.

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Updated Route Around Narbonne, France

Traffic in and around Narbonne in the south of France has increased significantly over the last years. In addition, a new industrial area is being developed a few kilometers west of the city – right where the original NCT route passed.

For the last two editions, we already adjusted the route between Agde and Portiragnes. Now, we have also updated the section between Lespignan and Saint-André-de-Roquelongue, allowing riders to bypass Narbonne on quieter small roads and cycle paths east and north of the city.

The new route now passes through Moussan, Marcorignan, and Névvian, forming a 37.3 km loop around Narbonne.

Photos from the new route were taken at the end of October 2025.

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New route at Carboneras de Guadazón in Spain

A new 2 km route update has been implemented in Carboneras de Guadazón, Spain. Instead of passing outside the area, the track now winds directly through the villages, offering quieter roads and a more scenic impression of the region.

Registration is open:
https://www.northcape-tarifa.com/register-2026/

Start date: June 20th, 2026 – 00:01, NorthCape, Norway

Photo from Carboneras de Guadazón, taken at the end of October 2025.

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New Route from Teruel

We’ve added 67 km of new route starting from Teruel, Spain. The previous section had become less enjoyable due to increased truck traffic, and for the past two years a major new road has been under construction.

To improve safety and comfort, the route now leaves Teruel via a quiet backroad with virtually no traffic. It passes through the small village of El Campillo, then continues near Bezas. After a beautiful stretch through a narrow canyon, the new section rejoins the original route just after the village of Salvacañete.

This update makes the transition out of Teruel significantly more pleasant – more scenic, safer, and better suited for long-distance riders.

Photos from the new section taken during route check 2 weeks ago.

#northcapetarifa #ncta2026 #endurancecycling #endurance #bikepacking #bikepackinglife #ultracycling #adventurebybike #adventurecycling #longdistancecycling #ciclismo #ultrabicyclerace #cyclinglife #rower #bikelife #cycling #ultraendurancecycling #rusjanbag #transbikeadventures

Photos from Spain

Fresh back from the Morocco-BikeAdventure, the journey continues – this time scouting the 2026 NorthCape-Tarifa route, starting from the legendary finish line in Tarifa, Spain. The Gorafe region didn’t disappoint: wild landscapes, forgotten railway stations, and silent aqueducts tell their own story of time and endurance.

Registration is open:
https://www.northcape-tarifa.com/register-2026/

Start date: June 20th, 2026 – 00:01, NorthCape, Norway

Photos taken during route check, October 2026

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New route in the Gorafe desert

Two years ago, a landslide covered the route in the Gorafe region with large rocks. Now, a new route replaces the old one. It’s still unpaved, but much smoother than before – and a real bridge now spans the river, meaning no more crossings on concrete plates.

The new route isn’t yet shown on any maps. I recorded it two weeks ago, and it will be included in the GPX files provided to riders for the 2026 NorthCape-Tarifa.

The fully paved alternative that bypasses this 12 km gravel section will remain part of the route options, but note that it adds 39 km of distance and 700 m of extra climbing.

Registration is open:
https://www.northcape-tarifa.com/register-2026/

Start date: June 20th, 2026 – 00:01, NorthCape, Norway

Photos: taken in 2018, 2019, and October 2025

#northcapetarifa #ncta2026 #endurancecycling #endurance #bikepacking #bikepackinglife #ultracycling #adventurebybike #adventurecycling #longdistancecycling #ciclismo #ultrabicyclerace #cyclinglife #rower #bikelife #cycling #ultraendurancecycling #rusjanbag #transbikeadventures

Registration fee increases

We’re excited to announce that we already have more registrations than the number of riders who started in the last edition!
Participants from 26 countries have signed up so far. Two riders will take on the challenge with recumbent bikes, and eight riders will ride as pairs.

Attention: The registration fee increases on November 1st!

Sign up now before the starting fee goes up:
https://www.northcape-tarifa.com/register-2026/

Start date: June 20th, 2026 – 00:01, NorthCape, Norway

4 finish points:
– Helsinki, Finland (1,753km)
– Bregenz, Austria (4,070km)
– Nice, France (5,370km)
– Tarifa, Spain (7,400km)

No time limit.

#northcapetarifa #ncta2026 #endurancecycling #endurance #bikepacking #bikepackinglife #ultracycling #adventurebybike #adventurecycling #longdistancecycling #ciclismo #ultrabicyclerace #cyclinglife #rower #bikelife #cycling #ultraendurancecycling #rusjanbag #transbikeadventures

Following the NorthCape-Tarifa Route Back North

On our way home from the Morocco-BikeAdventure, we traced the legendary NorthCape–Tarifa route – this time riding north, from Tarifa through Spain and into southern France.

The NorthCape–Tarifa Bicycle Adventure is known as the longest road race you can go, stretching from the North Cape all the way to the southern tip of the continent. But it’s not just for racers – without a time limit, it offers the freedom to ride at your own pace, explore local culture, and truly experience the landscapes that make this route so unique.

These photos, taken just two weeks ago in Tarifa, capture the atmosphere at the finish line of the full route – the southernmost point of mainland Europe, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean and where the full NorthCape–Tarifa journey ends.

#northcapetarifa #ncta2026 #endurancecycling #endurance #bikepacking #bikepackinglife #ultracycling #adventurebybike #adventurecycling #longdistancecycling #ciclismo #ultrabicyclerace #cyclinglife #rower #bikelife #cycling #ultraendurancecycling #rusjanbag #transbikeadventures

The Adventure Begins – Registration Now Open!

Do you hear it? That distant call of the open road, the whisper of tires spinning across a continent?

This is not just a race.
It’s the longest bikepacking challenge in the world – an epic journey across Europe, from the icy winds of the Arctic to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean.

Start: June 20th 2026 / 00:01 AM
Location: The legendary NorthCape, Norway – where your wheels will first touch the endless road south.

Choose your destiny – four finishing lines await:
Helsinki, Finland – 1,753 km: A taste of the North.
Bregenz, Austria – 4,070 km: Into the heart of Europe.
Nice, France – 5,370 km: From fjords to the French Riviera.
Tarifa, Spain – 7,400 km: The full odyssey to Europe’s southernmost point.

No time limit. No support. Just you, your bike, and a continent to conquer.
Whether you’re racing the sunrise or riding your own rhythm, this is your story to write.

Registration is now open – claim your place in the legend:
https://www.northcape-tarifa.com/register-2026/

#northcapetarifa #ncta2026 #endurancecycling #endurance #bikepacking #bikepackinglife #ultracycling #adventurebybike #adventurecycling #longdistancecycling #ciclismo #ultrabicyclerace #cyclinglife #rower #bikelife #cycling #ultraendurancecycling #rusjanbag #transbikeadventures

The registration for the 2026 edition opens soon

The registration for the 2026 NorthCape-Tarifa opens August 4th 20:00 CET.

  • Start date: June 20th 2026 / 00:01 at the NorthCape, Norway
  • Dinner and last minute information: June 19th 2026 / 19:00 at the NorthCape – dinner is offered
  • 19.06.2026 / 14:00: bus leaves at Alta to the NorthCape
  • Riders registration: June 18th 2026 / 15:00 in Alta, Norway – mandatory
  • 3 categories:
    – Single rider
    – Pair riders
    – Recumbent bikes
  • 4 finish points:
    – Helsinki in Finland (1753km)
    – Bregenz in Austria (4070km)
    – Nice in France (5370km)
    – Tarifa in Spain (7400km)
  • No time limit.

#northcapetarifa #ncta2026 #endurancecycling #endurance #bikepacking #bikepackinglife #ultracycling #adventurebybike #adventurecycling #longdistancecycling #ciclismo #ultrabicyclerace #cyclinglife #rower #bikelife #cycling #ultraendurancecycling #rusjanbag #transbikeadventures