North to South Spain – Supported Self-Guided 4×4 Adventure 2027
North to South Spain – Supported Self-Guided 4×4 Adventure 2027
Supported Self-Guided 4×4 Adventure
Santander to Granada | 19–28 September 2027
Independent days. Sociable evenings.
Explore Spain in your own 4×4, with a planned route, pre-booked campsites and daily support. Travel independently during the day, then join our guided tour group at the campsite each evening.
Our supported self-guided adventure takes you from Santander through northern and central Spain before finishing in Granada, Andalucía. The planned journey includes the distinctive landscapes of the Bardenas Reales, scenic trails, rural communities and several natural parks, subject to access and conditions.
You’ll receive GPX navigation files, a digital Adventure Guide, daily route notes and road alternatives. Set your own pace, choose your stops and enjoy the journey, while following an agreed overnight itinerary.
The adventure includes ten nights of camping and two rest days: one in Albarracín and one in the mountains near Cazorla.
How it works
Start each travelling day with a morning briefing covering the planned route, relevant updates and overnight arrangements. You then travel independently using the supplied navigation and guide materials.
Each evening, stay at the same campsite as our guided group, with an evening debrief and time to socialise.
Telephone assistance is included during the tour, subject to mobile reception and the guide’s availability while leading the guided group. This does not include continuous monitoring, immediate attendance or vehicle recovery.
This is a self-guided adventure. Daytime guiding and a place in the guided convoy are not included.
What is included?
- GPX navigation files.
- A digital Adventure Guide.
- Daily route notes and road alternatives.
- Ten nights of pre-booked camping, covering 19–28 September 2027.
- Morning briefings and evening debriefs.
- Telephone assistance, subject to reception and guide availability.
- Two rest days, in Albarracín and the mountains near Cazorla.
- Evenings at the same campsites as our guided tour group.
Ferry crossings, fuel, meals, vehicle recovery and accommodation after 28 September are not included. Clients bring their own vehicle and camping equipment.
Travel and itinerary
Friday 17 September 2027 – Suggested departure from Portsmouth
Depart Portsmouth with Brittany Ferries for the crossing to Santander. Ferry crossings are booked separately and are not included.
You are welcome to make alternative travel arrangements to reach the first campsite.
Saturday 18 September – On board the ferry
Enjoy a day at sea before arriving in northern Spain.
Sunday 19 September – Santander to Camping Bardenas
Following arrival in Santander, travel independently towards Villafranca, in Navarra, for your first overnight stay at Camping Bardenas.
Those travelling by another route should make their way directly to the campsite. Once settled, meet your fellow travellers and the guided group.
Monday 20–Monday 27 September – Through the heart of Spain
Follow the planned journey south through northern and central Spain towards Andalucía.
Travel independently between the overnight campsites, combining trails, scenic roads and rural landscapes. The Bardenas Reales forms part of the planned itinerary, subject to access and conditions.
Choose your stops for photographs, refreshments and exploring, while allowing sufficient time to reach each campsite.
During this part of the adventure, enjoy two rest days:
- Albarracín: explore locally, enjoy the food or relax at camp.
- Mountains near Cazorla: unwind and enjoy the surrounding area.
The detailed itinerary will identify the campsite locations and rest-day dates.
Tuesday 28 September – Finish in Granada
Complete your journey to Granada and settle into the final campsite.
Enjoy your last evening with your fellow travellers and the guided group. The campsite stay on the night of 28 September is included.
Wednesday 29 September onwards – Independent onward travel
Continue exploring Spain or begin your journey home.
If taking the suggested Bilbao ferry on Saturday 2 October, you have 29 September to 1 October to plan your return journey, overnight stops and sightseeing.
The return journey is not escorted. Accommodation after 28 September is not included.
Ferry arrangements
The suggested outbound crossing departs Portsmouth on Friday 17 September, arriving in Santander on Sunday 19 September 2027.
The suggested return crossing departs Bilbao at 13:00 on Saturday 2 October 2027, sailing to Portsmouth.
Please confirm sailing times, availability, cabin requirements, check-in deadlines and arrival details directly with Brittany Ferries before booking.
You may extend your stay in Spain or arrange an alternative route home through France.
Experience and vehicle requirements
Some independent travel experience is required. You should be comfortable using the supplied navigation, assessing conditions and making your own driving decisions.
You will need your own suitable 4×4 and camping equipment. Vehicle and equipment requirements will be detailed in the tour guidance notes. Please contact us before booking if you are unsure about your vehicle or experience.
Solo-vehicle bookings are welcome.
You may travel on your own or with one other self-guided vehicle. A maximum of two self-guided vehicles may travel together.
There are up to four self-guided vehicle places, separate from the three-vehicle guided group.
Your organiser
The adventure is organised by Adam, a professional 4×4 guide and instructor who has explored Spain for many years. Adam speaks English, French and Spanish.
Adam will be leading the guided group during the day and staying at the same overnight campsites.
Price and booking
£1,695 per vehicle, including the driver and one passenger/co-driver.
Choose either:
- Full payment: £1,695
- 30% deposit: £508.50, followed by a balance of £1,186.50
The remaining balance is due on or before 21 July 2027. Bookings made on or after this date require payment in full.
One ticket reserves one vehicle place. Select either full payment or the deposit option, not both.
Additional passengers cost £695 each. Please contact us to add them to your booking; they will be invoiced separately.
Deposits are non-refundable, subject to our booking terms and your statutory rights. Please ensure you have suitable travel insurance from the time of booking, including cover for cancellation, curtailment and the activities involved.
Flexibility and overnight arrangements
Your overnight stops follow the same schedule as the guided tour. You have flexibility during the day, while the booked campsite itinerary remains fixed unless a change is agreed.
Please let us know if your plans change or you expect to arrive late. Alternative accommodation or changes to your overnight arrangements may involve additional costs.
Routes and campsites may need to change because of weather, trail conditions, availability or local access restrictions.
Frequently asked questions
What does supported self-guided mean?
You navigate and drive independently using our GPX files, digital Adventure Guide and daily route notes. Morning briefings, evening debriefs and telephone assistance are included, alongside ten nights of camping.
Will we drive with the guided group?
No. The guided group travels separately. Your booking includes independent daytime travel and overnight stays at the same campsites, but not a place in the guided convoy.
Can I book as a single vehicle?
Yes. Solo-vehicle bookings are accepted. You should have some independent travel experience and be comfortable navigating and making your own driving decisions.
Can we travel with friends?
Yes. You can travel with one other self-guided vehicle. Each vehicle requires its own booking, and no more than two self-guided vehicles may travel together.
Can we choose our own stops?
Yes. You decide where to stop and how to organise your day, allowing enough time to reach the booked campsite within its check-in arrangements.
What support is available during the day?
Telephone assistance is available, subject to mobile reception and the guide’s availability while leading the guided group. It does not include continuous monitoring, immediate attendance, roadside assistance or vehicle recovery.
How many nights of camping are included?
Ten nights are included, from 19 September to 28 September 2027 inclusive. Accommodation during your onward or return journey is not included.
Are there rest days?
Yes. There are two rest days: one in Albarracín and one in the mountains near Cazorla. You can explore independently or relax at camp.
Where does the adventure start and finish?
The journey starts in Santander on Sunday 19 September 2027, with the first overnight meeting at Camping Bardenas in Navarra. It finishes in Granada on Tuesday 28 September, including that night’s campsite stay.
Are ferry crossings included?
No. You book your own crossings. Suggested sailings are provided to help with planning, and you should confirm the details directly with Brittany Ferries.
Can we extend our stay?
Yes. You are welcome to continue exploring after the final included campsite night. Arrange your onward accommodation and return travel to suit your plans.
Prefer a fully guided tour?
Our fully guided North to South Spain tour follows the same dates and overnight itinerary, with a guide leading the route during the day.
Contact us if you would like help choosing between the guided and supported self-guided options.
