From Gibraltar airport, you´ll be transferred to the ancient fishing port of Tarifa, the home of Skedaddle España for the past 20 years! This most southerly point of mainland Europe has had a turbulent history due to its strategic position on the western edge of the Straits of Gibraltar. With a history stretching from Phoenician settlers through Roman and Moorish influences, Tarifa blends ancient charm with a lively modern atmosphere. White Atlantic beaches fan out beyond the old town’s fortified walls, while narrow streets hide an eclectic mix of cafés, bars, and restaurants to explore at your leisure.

We’d always recommend tagging on a day before your cycling begins for a day trip to discover Tangiers in Morocco, take a whale watching trip in the strait of Gibraltar or just relax on the beaches and stroll the alleyways to discover hidden gastronomic delights.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 730 Metres Approx.

Your first day of cycling is a true celebration along the stunning Costa de la Luz. You start your journey on bike lanes, quiet paths, and secondary roads, arriving shortly at the impressive moving sand dune of Punta Paloma, offering sweeping views of Tarifa and, across the Strait of Gibraltar and the Rif Mountains in Morocco.

The bike path winds through pine forests and coastal dune systems, just behind the wild Atlantic coastline, until you reach the vast crescent-shaped beach of Bolonia, often awarded as one of Spain’s best beaches. From there, the trail descends along a gentle gravel track atop dunes covered with pines and pristine coves, leading to the famous bay of Atlanterra, home to many coastal mansions that could easily belong in Beverly Hills.

A few easy coastal kilometers take you beyond Zahara de los Atunes, a small fishing village known for its historic tuna market, which you can still explore on foot. Zahara is a paradise for food lovers, boasting an excellent selection of restaurants.

From Zahara, you’ll follow the Eurovelo 8 cycle route inland along the Atlantic coast. Cycling through this wild stretch of coast is the perfect chance to take a dip in your very own secluded beach!

After several kilometers of deserted beaches, you’ll arrive at Barbate, crossing its river. Barbate is an authentic fishing village with a large almadraba fleet, preserving a very authentic Andalucian character with little tourism. It’s a great spot to grab a snack at a beach bar or stock up on supplies while watching local life unfold.

The day concludes with a climb to the white hilltop town of Vejer de la Frontera, passing through Breña Natural Park, home to one of Andalucia’s largest communal dovecotes. You then ride past the historic windmills that crown the hills, a reminder of the region’s agricultural and cultural heritage. Vejer’s well-preserved old town, a former Moorish medina, is perfect for wandering around artisan boutiques, soaking up the historic architecture, admiring panoramic views, and relaxing in the town’s many cozy terraces and bars.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 330 Metres Approx.

Before leaving Vejer, don’t miss visiting the Alcázar, the charming Plaza de España, and enjoying a morning coffee at La Corredera, where you can take in stunning views of the sun rising over Africa!

The route then descends toward the Barbate marshes, a natural area of great ecological value, home to migratory birds and native species. This open, wet landscape provides a striking contrast to the surrounding Cádiz hills, offering expansive, memorable views.

After crossing the marshes, you’ll pass through the town of Barbate along its seaside promenade before continuing toward Cape Trafalgar. You’ll gradually climb up to the Torre del Tajo, passing the Cliff Trail in the Breña Natural Park, a protected area with vast pine forests, cliffs, and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Once at Cape Trafalgar, you can pause to enjoy the scenery, explore the area, and relive one of the most iconic naval battles in history. Besides its historical interest, it’s a perfect spot to relax by the sea and discover the charming cafés and restaurants of Caños de Meca, set in a wild and authentic environment.

Following bike lanes, you’ll pedal through the coastal village of El Palmar, famous for its excellent waves, before continuing along a path by the beach to your overnight destination: Conil de la Frontera. Conil is a popular destination for Spanish holidaymakers, known for its stunning beaches, charming old town, and plentiful excellent restaurants.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 350 Metres Approx.

You start the day from Conil, riding along dramatic cliff-top tracks above Fuente de Gallo Beach and the nearby Aceite Cove. Twisting your way through pines you will pass the tiny fishing port of Conil, before climbing past Cape Roche and its lighthouse. The riding is stunning with fabulous views and opportunities to walk down footpaths to secluded beaches.

Your route crosses the attractive resort of Santi Petri via newly built gravel trails that weave through the forests, avoiding traffic. After passing the attractive centre of Chiclana the route follows cycle paths as it enters the Natural park of the Bay of Cadiz. This area of wetlands is a maze of waterways. You will pass over bridges and ride by the Chiclana salt pans, dating back to the 5th century when the Phoenicians settled in the area. A visit to the salt museum or lunch at the restaurant is well worth it in this unique environment.

The end of today´s route takes you beachside along a spit of land to the island of the Ancient in city of Cadiz, surrounded by the Atlantic ocean. A circumnavigation of the island on cycle paths is a great way to explore, passing the golden domed cathedral and the Castillo de San Sebastian at Caleta beach before meandering through narrow lanes to find your hotel. Cadiz is a wonderful place to explore in the evening with a fabulous food and flamenco scene.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 375 or 470 Metres Approx.

The day begins with a short passenger ferry ride across the bay of Cadiz to the attractive fishing town of Rota, once an important trading post with North Africa. You can enjoy some time at the harbour over a morning coffee before jumping on your bikes and riding past the Castillo de Luna, the long stretch of sand of the Costilla beach and the Corales de Rota. The route from here will take you along the Via Verde Entre Rios, once part of an industrial rail network that has been transformed into a cycle way of smooth gravel to the beach town of Chipiona, a great stop off to enjoy fabulous sea food and maybe a visit to the interesting Museo de Moscatel.

The ride is leisurely along a Via Verde, through cultivated lands, to the enchanting Sanlucar de Barrameda. The town, part of the ‘sherry triangle´ stands on the left bank of the mouth of the River Guadalquivir, where the famous Manzanilla wine is produced. Located opposite Doñana National Park, one of the most beautiful and important wetlands in Europe, Sanlucar, dates back to Muslim times. It´s a great place to spend some time due to its rich cuisine, based on fish and seafood and abundant bodegas.

From Sanlucar, you’ll ride up along-side the Guadalquivir estuary overlooking the Doñana National park which is a haven of bird life, including pink flamingos.

The route will take you through cultivated farmlands, passing paddy fields, salt flats and marshes and through the pretty pine forest of the Pinar de Monte Algaida. At the Hermitage of Carmen your route swings south-east and heads away from the coast along smooth asphalt, cutting through huge vineyards and passing world-renowned sherry bodegas.

You’ll finish the day riding into Jerez, a great place to explore the enticing bars and restaurants, and discover the beautiful old quarter and imposing cathedral. It’s also the perfect place to enjoy a tour of a world-famous sherry bodega and indulge in some sherry tasting. Get in touch before you travel and we can help you to organise a tasting session for this afternoon though it’s worth noting most bodegas stop offering tours mid-afternoon, so you may want to opt for the shorter ride today to give yourself enough time on arrival into Jerez for your tasting.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 760 Metres Approx.

Meandering out of the city you begin to climb up and over the Cerro de San Cristobal hills, with amazing views of the ocean and the bay of Cadiz. Sandy tracks make for smooth cycling as you descend toward the lowland salt flats, crossing the Río San Pedro along the way.

A journey through the Santa Ana pine forest helps you skirt the edge of Puerto Santa Maria before picking up the long winding gravel trail of La Ruta de dos Bahias (the route of 2 bays) that links the bays of Cadiz and Algeciras. The trail follows a cañada (or drovers trail) through La Janda farmlands, past the ancient quarry of Berrueco before climbing to the white hilltop village of Medina Sidonia, considered by some to be the oldest town in Europe! The 13th century castle and Roman sites are worth a visit, as are the bars and restaurants, giving a perfectly spaced stop for a late lunch.

A thrilling descent returns you to gravel trails, crossing a three-arched Roman bridge before reaching the charming village of Benalup for the evening, situated on the edge of the wild Alcornocales Natural Park.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 610 Metres Approx.

On the final day of your gravel adventure, you set out along excellent trails heading south through the stunning Alcornocales countryside. You’ll head past paddy fields and irrigated farmlands, following the high ridges of the Alcornocales park. The area is home to diverse birdlife and it´s not uncommon to see pink flamingos, purple gallinule or red and black kites!

Grab some refreshments in Facinas, and from here dark, forested, hills stand between you and the journey’s end in Tarifa. Some easy asphalt kilometres skirt the sides of the Sierra de Fates, followed by a steady gravel climb that rewards you with unforgettable views of the Strait of Gibraltar, separating Europe and Africa.

A thrilling descent along white-grit trails winds through cork oak thickets, returning you to the coast at Tarifa for a celebratory sundowner, overlooking the ocean.

• Meals: Breakfast

Unfortunately, it’s time to leave this beautiful region and travel home. Depending on flight times, you may have time to spend the morning exploring Tarifa, before we transfer you back to Gibraltar airport for flights home.

If you’d prefer to fly into and return from Malaga, we can also arrange transfers for this – please contact us for a quote.