You’ll be met at Malaga airport and transferred as a group to our first night’s accommodation in Pizarra in the Guadalhorce valley.

Pizarra is a small town that lies at the foot of Sierra del Hacho. The community is still largely farming based, and so far remains untouched by the expansion of Malaga. Pizarra is famed for it’s palace: Palacio de los Condes de Puerto-Hermoso, which was built in the 19th century and played a pivotal role in the Spanish Morocco war. The Museo Municipal de Pizarra is another site to see in Pizarra. This museum contains an impressive array of archaeological artefacts from across the ages (including Roman and Moorish).

We will have time to unpack and unwind before our first evening dinner together as a group. We’ll build bikes on arrival and make sure that everything is fully functioning. This is also the time for anyone renting to be fitted to their rental bike.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,160 Metres Approx.

After a relaxing breakfast, packing our bags and leaving them at reception we will set off on our Andalucian adventure. We´ll ride up the Guadalhorce valley passing the dramatic cliff of El Chorro and the deep blue waters of Ardales before meandering up the Turon valley to the white village of El Burgo on the edge of the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,335 Metres Approx.

After a delicious breakfast we have a beautiful day’s ride in store. Today’s route will take us through the Sierra de las Nieves and over the Vibora pass. As we drop down through lofty pines there will be great views to the east before we pass through the castle topped villages of Teba and Cañete. Tonight’s accommodation is in the village of Setenil de las Bodegas, famous for the dwellings that are built into the rock overhangs above the Rio Guadalporcun.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,515 Metres Approx.

After gliding past the vineyards of Ronda below the saw-toothed limestone peaks of the awesome Grazalema Natural Park, the route takes some easy kilometers along the shores of the deep blue Zahara-Gastor reservoir to the picturesque white village of Zahara de la Sierra, dominated by its magnificent castle, a great place for a breather and maybe a spot of lunch.

The climb to come is probably the climb of the week; both in height gain and views that unfold as we turn each pedal. We will have more than enough time for the steadiest of climbs, so don’t worry. We’ll get great vistas back over the reservoir and across to the conical Penon del Gastor mountain.

Around halfway up the road, we will pass a view point that looks down into the Garganta Verde or (Green Canyon), a stunning deep gorge cut into the limestone by the Rio Verde. It’s often possible to see huge groups of griffon vultures soaring beside the canyon’s cliffs – an awesome sight. The top of the climb will bring us to Puerto de las Palomas (Pass of the Doves), and we’ll take a well-deserved celebratory rest to admire our efforts.

Approaching the village of Grazalema itself; from above we’ll be in for a terrific sight of pan-tiled roofs and whitewashed buildings nestled beneath the Penon Grande and San Cristobal peaks. The village is famous for its hand-woven woollen blankets and delicious food but nothing compares to its beauty!

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,275 Metres Approx.

An easy morning today as there’s 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. 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 all 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.

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: 2,160 Metres Approx.

Today, we head to the dramatically situated town of Ronda, perched on the top of the El Tajo canyon.

Our first leg of the day takes us east out of Grazalema through holm oak and cork trees and soon we’ll be zipping past Montejaque snugly tucked into the rocky sierra beneath the symbolic El Hacho mountain.

The most significant climb of the day begins after the pretty village of Jimera de Libar but there’s plenty of time to take the climb at a steady pace. At the top we will continue on and take in Juzcar. There’s one more climb for the day through Los Riscos, an area of amazing weather-sculptured rock formations that lead us out of the Genal valley to the edge of the Natural Park of Las Nieves (the snows!).

Following this, there will be a rewarding descent to beautiful Ronda and our accommodation for the night.

Ronda is a delightful town to spend a night and wander the medieval cobbled lanes in search of the perfect bar or restaurant. Visit the museum of the infamous bandoleros; follow the history of bullfighting at Ronda’s elegant bullring or take the chance to relax on one of Ronda’s café terraces and watch the world go by in true Andalus style. The old town across the Puente Nuevo is a beautiful example of Moorish architecture and the views are awesome down into the Tajo gorge and the surrounding mountains.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,125 Metres Approx.

The final ride takes us across the northernmost edge of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park and then down to revisit the white town of El Burgo. We can take our pick of pueblos blancos to take a relaxing break today with a gentle mix of great village stops alongside viewpoints over the national park. Returning to Pizarra tonight there will be time to enjoy a celebratory cerveza or vinto tinto. Felizidades!

• Meals: Breakfast

Hopefully, before setting off from the hotel, we will have time to spend the morning exploring the town and enjoying a last café con leche before our short journey back to Malaga for onward journey home.