You’ll be met at Malaga airport and transferred as a group to our first night’s accommodation in El Chorro.

Nestled in the Guadalhorce Valley and known for its spectacular gorges, limestone cliffs and beautiful reservoir, El Chorro is more than just a picturesque village; it’s the gateway to some of Andalucia’s most stunning mountain scenery. The gorge itself is up to 400m deep and as little as 10m wide in places, where the Rio Guadalhorce has carved its way through towering limestone. Huge, awesome, cliffs surround the area that is a popular destination for climbers. The Caminito del Ray, a precipitous walkway built through the gorge in the early 20th century for workers on the reservoir, has now been opened to the public and also attracts tourists and walkers to the area.

On arrival, we’ll build the bikes and ensure everything is working perfectly, while those renting bikes will have plenty of time to be properly fitted. The rest of the afternoon is free to unpack and unwind before our first evening dinner together as a group.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,530 Metres Approx.

Our Andalucia cycling tour starts with a steady climb out of El Chorro past the reservoir at the end of the gorge. The limestone cliffs and dramatic scenery continues as we head west passing Bobastro, where there are remains of a remarkable Mozarabic church, which is dramatically carved out of the surrounding rock.

After reaching Puerto del Viento (1,190m) we can contemplate the awesome beauty of the Sierra de las Nieves (Range of the Snows) we are about to ride over. The range is rugged and complex with twisting barrancos, deep ravines, caves and hidden valleys. In the distance we are now able to see the historical mountain town of Ronda and the Sierra de Grazalema rising beyond. The descent takes a wide, smooth, curving road that will rush us at speed to the centre of the stunning city of Ronda.

We’ll have time to take a wander through the ancient Moorish quarter and marvel at the views of the Tajo gorge, which dramatically splits the town in two, giving a relaxing afternoon before a local feast.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,480 Metres Approx.

Today we take an easy road that climbs up into the Serrania de Ronda and to the Encinas Borrachas pass. As we climb over and begin descending a whole new world opens up. Down to our right we’ll see the immense Alto Genal, the head of the Genal valley. The higher reaches of the valley are cloaked in a vast chestnut forest giving way to steep sided ravines with precipitous terracing for olive, almond and citrus groves. Above us on our left, is a vastly different landscape of huge pine forests reaching up to shattered limestone and bulging peaks. As the road levels out, we are offered incredible views of the Med, Gibraltar and even Morocco’s Rif mountains!

Now we take a twisting narrow descent which will lead us to the inviting village of Alpandeire sitting with open views of the entire Alto Genal region, its magnificent 16th century church protruding from the whitewash. The village square offers us a chance to meet the local people while we grab morning refreshments.

A stiff climb on a narrow lane puts us into a fantastic descent with some undulations and beautiful corners. It’s a fun ride that will take us down past the village of Farajan where weird and wonderful limestone shapes sit on the hillside. The lane continues to descend, twist and curve around the mountainside until we arrive at the next village of Juzcar, which is unique to say the least. Painted baby blue in 2019, it’s now known to spaniards as Pueblo Pitufo or ‘Smurf Town‘!

Traversing the valley side, an undulating road takes us through more chestnut orchards to climb to the beautiful village of Igualeja, where the source of the Rio Genal gushes from a limestone cave. From the village it’s a good 300m climb to the Ventanilla Pass from where a fast descent out of the Serrania takes us to the door of our hotel for some well earned refreshments.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,655 Metres Approx.

Our Ronda cycling route today includes one of the most iconic cycling passes in Andalucia, Puerto de las Palomas, Pass of the Doves.

Kicking things off we ride out of Ronda as the rising sun illuminates the dramatic orange sandstone cliffs and after a long switchback descent we take on our first climb past the picturesque village of Montejaque, nestled beneath the shattered limestone of El Hacho to the Puerto de Montejaque. From the pass the splendour of the Grazalema mountain range comes into view for the first time, a mass of complex limestone towering above pastures and pine.

The road ahead is as smooth as silk as we drop down to the bright turquoise waters of the Zahara reservoir. The road hugs the bank as it winds its way, undulating upwards to the impressive hilltop town of Zahara de la Sierra topped by its dramatic 12th century Nazari castle. Zahara has a clutch of inviting bars with terraces for a quick coffee before we begin our climb up the imposing Palomas Pass standing at 1,347m. This iconic climb is one of the highlights of the trip, winding through a series of memorable switchbacks on the slopes below El Torreón, the highest peak in the range. As the road twists steadily higher through forests of rare Pinsapo firs, spectacular views unfold at every turn across the dramatic mountains of the Grazalema Natural Park.

The view from the summit is sublime, looking north and west to the lowlands. The ride from the pass down to the town of Grazalema is one that should stay with you for a long time. As you drop from the immense limestone massif, the pan-tile roofs of the town come into view nestled in a valley below the iconic Penon Grande peak.

Grazalema is an idyllic ‘pueblo blanco’ (white village) and has long been a haunt for nature lovers and artists. There’s an ideal picnic spot above the village to contemplate the beauty of the area and to give those well worked legs a rest.

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: 1,405 Metres Approx.

Good news! We can relax a little this morning today with no need to pack as the day’s loop ride will return us to Grazalema. The day begins with a steady climb up to the Boyar Pass that stands at over 1,000m. The views are terrific down into the Tavizna valley and across to the deep defile of Salto del Cabrero.

The only way to go from here is down; and wow, what a descent. In total we’ll drop over a thousand metres, passing the small village of Benamahoma, through the Albarracin range covered in pines, to the small town of El Bosque.

There’s plenty more beautiful rocky scenery on this afternoon’s route through holm oak and cork forests and skirting the beautiful white towns of Ubrique and then Benaocaz before returning to Grazalema for a well-deserved rest.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,480 Metres Approx.

Today is another big day on paper, but it’s worth every pedal stroke. This Andalucia cycling route will cut through the high valleys of the Grazalema park, passing Villaluenga, famed for its Payoyo goats’ cheese. We will glide down through shattered limestone cliffs to the town of Ubrique, an ancient, white, leather town clinging precipitously to the looming limestone cliffs. An honest climb takes us to the Vibora pass and onto the ridges of the Alcornocales natural park.

As we progress, arriving at Cortes de la Frontera, the road dramatically descends through the Serrania, a mountainous region that seems untouched by time. This area, rich in wild nature, blesses us with spectacular views of limestone cliffs that rise majestically, creating an impressive contrast with the peaceful and picturesque white villages that dot the hillsides. These villages, with their whitewashed houses, appear to float in the air, as if they were taken from a living postcard.

The magnificent and challenging road unfolds before us as it weaves through the terrain, rising and falling, offering twists and turns that make this stretch an exhilarating experience. In the distance, the horizon fills with mountains and green valleys, while the sun illuminates the fields, casting shadows that dance across the rocks. After a few exciting kilometers, we’ll arrive at the picturesque village of Gaucín, famous for its natural beauty and privileged location. This charming white village, perched on a high point, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, the Mediterranean Sea, and, in the distance, the imposing Rock of Gibraltar. On clear days, the view extends to the Rif Mountains in North Africa, creating a sense of vastness and connection to another continent.

Gaucin is known as ‘El Balcon de la Sierra’ for good reason, it´s great place to unwind for the evening!

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,475 Metres Approx.

The last day of our Southern Spain cycling awaits! Today we’ll ride along a high ridge rollercoaster road and then across the gorgeous Genal valley. We will take on a final big challenge, climbing the Puerto de Peñas Blancas, often featuring in the Vuelta a España as it did in 2026. From these heights we are to be rewarded with a vast view of the Mediterranean coast reaching from the Rif Mountains in Morocco all the way to the Costa Tropical and the brilliant white of the Sierra Nevada.

After the last challenging few kms, our reward is a seemingly never ending descent on a twisting, snaking lane to the fine sands of Estepona. This final location of the tour is a lovely place for a dip in the Med, which will definitely help shake away any tiredness in the muscles! Afterwards, it’s time to relax and reflect on our Ronda cycling adventure and perhaps enjoy a couple of sunset cervezas to celebrate our gallant efforts on the bikes!

• Meals: Breakfast

It’s time to pack up our bags and transfer to Malaga for onward journeys home. We’ll be sad to see you go!