Following flights into Malaga, you’ll be transferred approx. 1.5 hours to the magnificent town of Ronda, dramatically perched on the side of the El Tajo gorge.

After bike fitting and assembly, time will be given to discover Ronda at your own leisure. The old town is a beautiful example of Moorish architecture. Cobbled streets wind between the imposing white walls of palaces and grand residences, clinging to sandstone cliffs. Visit the museum of the infamous bandoleros, follow the history of bullfighting at Ronda’s elegant bullring or take your chance to relax on one of Ronda’s café terraces and watch the world go by in true Andaluz style.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 520 Metres Approx.

After breakfast we’ll embark on our adventure. Descending down to the Arab bridge and baths we’ll take in a totally different view of the Tajo, until we descend along the clifftops through pines on sandstone single-track. The views of clifftop Ronda are unforgettable in the morning light.

The trail drops swiftly to the banks of the Rio Guadiaro where the first decent climb will take us onto a limestone plateau and the Ermita de Montejaque. The views into the Grazalema mountains are stunning as well as the descent down through broom lines single-track deep into the Guadiaro valley to the Cueva del Gato (Cat’s Cave) where we can take a breather for lunch. Many enjoy a dip in the cooling pools that are fed from this impressive resurgence cave!

After a lazy lunch it’s back on the bikes for an afternoon classic that takes in the Guadiaro flow single-tracks, giving exhilarating section after section, hemmed in between lofty limestone peaks. There are plenty of options for the afternoon. Climb and descend great trails until we can’t descend anymore or chill back at the hotel.

Benaojan, home for the night, is a beautiful, ancient white village that hugs the valley side and offers charming rural accommodation and fabulous local produce to re-fuel.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 700 Metres Approx.

After breakfast we gently ease ourselves into the day by sliding into snaking trails that glide down the valley, taking in the odd climb that’ll set us up for the next trail. Passing the pretty hillside villages of Atajate and Cortes de la Frontera we’ll traverse through beautiful scenery, before tackling the climb of the day up above 1000metres to a mountain ridge and the dramatically situated village of Gaucin.

Gaucin is known as ‘El Balcon de la Sierra’ for good reason! The village looks out across the mountains to the Mediterranean and beyond to the Riff mountains in Morocco. Looking inland, the Serrania de Ronda, the limestone Grazalema range and the vast Alcornocales forest park take centre stage.

Following lunch, entering the beautiful densely-forested Los Alcornocales Natural Park, we may see wild boar, deer or griffon vultures and a variety of eagles soaring on thermals overhead.

The series of trails that drop into the bottom of the valley are fun-filled and twist and wind through the forest with ease. We’ll ride onto Gaucin for our overnight stay.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 620 Metres Approx.

Following breakfast we’ll say goodbye to our lovely hosts and transfer in a minibus high into the dense forest. A wild and undulating trail through dense cork oaks and we’ll arrive at the Penones Pass. The magnificent views of the Alcornocales forest park blanketed over the never ending ridges stretch as far as the eyes can see. A fast undulating traverse along a high ridge will set us up for the incredible 800 metre long sweeping descent through virgin forest. We’ll be laughing all the way down to the stunning rhododendron-lined Hozgarganta river for a delicious picnic lunch.

We’ll cruise into Jimena de la Frontera, a white hill town topped by a magnificent Moorish castle with great views across the surrounding sierras. A steep climb to the castle introduces us to a fun rocky descent into the lush river valley where we’ll pass 10th century water mills and an 18th century artillery factory that made cannonballs for the Spanish Armada.

The afternoon ride takes in some easy fun kilometres before a final climb back into the forest links with a thrilling ribbon of single-track, bringing us to the enchanting ‘eagles nest’ village of Castillo de Castellar. The village is encircled by a 13th century Moorish fortress and the hotel holds the privileged position in the castle and gate house. The sunset over the reservoir below the village and across the hills is simply stunning.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 400 Metres Approx.

In the morning, the transfer vehicles will take us to the Straits of Gibraltar. From here, it’s a truly stunning ride taking us from a view point above the Straits on a thrilling traverse. We’ll twist and dip and then descend dramatically past ancient mills to the shores at the tiny fishing village at Guadalmesi, with many a small cove for a refreshing dip.

It’s a brilliant spot for a relaxing refuel and maybe a chance to try the delicious local air-cured tuna among other delicacies! A tranquil siesta will set us up to complete our journey as we take a beautiful trail along the shores of the Straits, past small coves, fishermen and isolated smallholdings. The views are magnificent looking across to Morocco’s Rif Mountains and the imposing Jebel Musa Mountain.

A range of undulating fast tracks will take us along the coast and all the way to our accommodation. Some may want to have one last refreshing swim before heading into the setting sun towards Tarifa, the most southerly point of mainland Europe. Tarifa is a beautiful fishing town perched on the edge of Europe. The Moors, who left their mark, especially in its architecture, once ruled this strategically located town. The winding cobbled streets leading to tiny flower-filled squares are a joy to wonder around. A great place to enjoy the last two evenings of the tour.

NB – If booking on the December departure, a lovely New Year’s meal is included in the holiday cost and we’ll celebrate seeing in the New Year together.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 350 Metres Approx.

After a short transfer we’ll hop on our bikes for a fantastic traverse of the southern part of the Alcornocales forest. Tarifa is Skedaddle Espana’s home base so the local team will take you through all their favourite trails for a truly brilliant day, taking you through diverse landscapes from dense forests to the Atlantic coast.

Following an undulating trail we’ll pick up the route of the GR7, a long distance trek that stretches from the most southern tip of mainland Europe at Tarifa, all the way to Athens! We’ll cruise past the imposing Sierra del Nino and into a long swooping descent to the splendidly situated hamlet of Saladavieja. It sits above the plains of La Janda, once a huge freshwater lake, that stretches miles into the distance. The wetlands are now a haven for birds migrating between Europe and Africa.

At the head of the Jara Valley we’ll be rewarded with the first views of the Atlantic and across to the crescent bay of Tangiers in Morocco. Skirting beneath the Sierra de Fates views of the ocean open up as we pass bubbling streams to try some tasty trails that lead down to the wild Atlantic where we’ll lunch beneath Umbrella Pines. Post lunch, we’ll ride along La Pena hillside to take on thrilling trails and then along the Atlantic coastline back to Tarifa.

• Meals: Breakfast

Time to pack those bags for the last time before we get on the road to the airport (transfer approx. 1 hour 40 minutes) for your flights home.