
The Circuito de Almería, located in southern Spain’s arid Andalusian desert, is a technical, flowing, and elevation-heavy track that’s become a favorite winter testing and training ground for many racers and trackday riders across Europe.
From a motorcycle trackday perspective, it’s a challenging but immensely rewarding circuit with excellent grip, low traffic, and epic scenery. It’s often used for serious riding trips or multi-day training events—especially in the off-season.
🏁 Track Overview
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Length: 4.025 km (2.5 mi)
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Turns: 14 (8 right, 6 left)
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Main straight: ~900 meters
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Elevation change: Over 50 meters! Significant.
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Direction: Clockwise
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Surface: High-grip, low wear
🏍️ Why Riders Love Almería
✅ Strengths
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Elevation & Flow
Almería is famous for its rolling elevation changes—you’re constantly climbing or dropping through turns. This creates a rollercoaster effect that challenges body position, vision, and line discipline. -
Low Traffic / Focused Riders
Since it’s somewhat remote, most trackdays attract dedicated riders or racer training camps. Fewer distractions, more focused sessions. -
Perfect Winter Riding
Situated in Europe’s driest region, it boasts sunshine year-round, especially ideal from November to March when other circuits are too cold or wet. -
Great Grip
The track surface is abrasive enough for good traction, but not so harsh that it eats tires—great for confidence on corner entry and acceleration.
⚠️ Challenges
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Remote Location
The circuit is in the middle of nowhere—no hotels, fuel, or restaurants on-site. You’ll typically stay in Tabernas, Almería city, or with a trackday package that includes accommodation and transport. -
Noisy Trackdays Only
Very few noise restrictions—great for race bikes, but don’t expect a quiet road bike-friendly experience. -
Technical Track
Almería requires concentration. It’s full of blind crests, late apexes, and fast transitions. It’s physically and mentally taxing, especially on liter bikes.
🔑 Key Corners & Sections
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Turn 1
Fast approach, wide entry, leads into a flowing rhythm. You must get this right to set up the whole lap. -
Turns 3–4
A tight left-right combo with a slight crest. Entry precision and throttle patience are key. -
Turn 7 (The Drop)
A blind downhill right-hander. Confidence and commitment are required. -
Turn 9 (Corkscrew-like section)
Twisting left-right over a crest—very technical and satisfying when done right. -
Final Sector
Slightly more open but rewards smooth throttle and good line choice. Sets up for the fast main straight.
🔧 Setup & Riding Tips
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Tires: Don’t wear excessively, but the long sessions and heat can cook rears—bring warmers and adjust pressures accordingly.
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Suspension: Prioritize compliance and control over bumps and crests. Setup for mid-corner stability more than hard braking.
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Gearing: Mid-range gearing is good; you’ll use all gears, but there’s less full-throttle time than at Catalunya or Portimão.
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Brakes: Not as brake-intensive, but you’ll want consistent feel and strong initial bite for downhill braking zones.
🧭 Logistics
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Nearest Airport:
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Almería (LEI) – ~30–40 min
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Alicante (ALC) – ~2.5 hours
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Malaga (AGP) – ~2.5–3 hours
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Accommodation:
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Riders usually stay in Tabernas, Almería city, or trackday-inclusive villas/hotels.
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Some providers offer full packages (bike hire, transport, accommodation, food).
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Trackday Providers:
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Circuito de Almería (in-house)
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Racecracks
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No Limits Trackdays
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MotoBreaks, Fastrack Riders, and others offer fly-in/fly-out packages
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✅ Best For:
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Riders looking for serious skill development in a challenging, technical environment
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Winter trackday warriors and pre-season racers
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Intermediate to advanced riders—novices may find it intimidating at first