Highlights
- Exploring the historical town of Ronda, surrounded by the stunning Sierras
- Discovering beautiful Grazalema, nestled below atmospheric, limestone mountains
- Descending from the Puerto Boyar out of the awe-inspiring Grazalema Natural Park
- Sipping local sherries in the rustic bodegas of Arcos
- Cycling alongside the white, sandy beaches of the Costa de la Luz; the Coast of Light
- Hopping between tapas bars in the fun-filled town of Conil
Itinerary
Following your arrival flight, you will be met and transferred to the historical town of Ronda. Surrounded by impressive mountain ranges, Ronda is dramatically perched on the side of the El Tajo gorge, a truly stunning setting for the start of your tour!
Flight times permitting, you may have time to explore Ronda. The old town across the Puente Nuevo is a beautiful example of Moorish architecture. Cobbled streets wind like a labyrinth between the imposing white walls of palaces and grand residences, clinging to sandstone cliffs. You can visit the museum of the infamous bandoleros, follow the history of bullfighting at Ronda’s bullring, or simply relax on one of Ronda’s café terraces and watch the world go by in true Andaluz style.
This evening we’ll have a chance to meet your guides & fellow cyclists and have a welcome briefing and bike fitting before heading out to one of Ronda’s great eateries.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 800 Metres Approx.
Our cycling journey will begin with a descent out of Ronda, into the deep Guadiaro Valley. Following the Guadiaro River downstream, we’ll drop deeper down to the Cueva del Gato (Cat’s Cave) where we can stop for a coffee break, or a swim in the cooling pools that are fed from the cave. We’ll then make our first climb of the week, to the stunningly-situated white village of Montejaque.
Cycling past the Hundidero cave entrance, in an impressive fault in the limestone, we begin an undulating climb into the heart of the awesome Grazalema mountain range. Rising over 1600 metres, with bright jagged limestone peaks and oak and Spanish fir forests, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful parts of the week! A twisting road, that threads through an enchanting cork oak forest, will take us the village of Grazalema itself; a terrific sight of tiled roofs and white-washed buildings nestled beneath the Penon Grande and San Cristobal peaks. The village is famous for its hand-woven woollen blankets and goats cheese and its restaurants dish up tasty mountain fare.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 985 Metres Approx.
Our second day in the saddle begins with a steady climb up to the Boyar Pass. At over 1000m high, the views are terrific down into the Tavizna valley. The only way to go from here is down and what a descent it is! We’ll drop over a thousand metres, passing the small village of Benamahoma, through the Albarracin range, to the small town of El Bosque.
After resting from the exhilarating descent, we’ll cycle over rolling farmland, heading to the Guadalcacin Reservoir where we’ll reach the pretty village of Algar. The remainder of the day’s journey now heads north west through beautiful, rolling countryside, winding past the waters’ edge until reaching our destination of Arcos de la Frontera, balanced precariously on top of a limestone cliff. We’ll have one more climb to our accommodation, where we’ll be rewarded with dramatic views across the Bornos Lake and a celebratory cerveza!
Arcos’ maze-like, ancient Moorish medina is a delight to wander around, with monuments, idyllic squares and many a cave-like bar to sip sherry and listen to flamenco!
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 840 Metres Approx.
Today starts with a descent away from Arcos, through undulating, country lanes, as we pass proud, flowering agave plants and palms to reach the dam of the vast Guadalcacin Reservoir, teeming with birdlife. Our route skirts the edge of the Alcornocales Natural Park, comprising the largest cork oak forest in Europe and abundant wildlife.
Gentle, rolling hills then take us to the white-washed town of Alcala de los Gazules and as the road climbs it gives great views of the Picacho and Aljibe peaks and down towards Jerez. Alcala, spills down the hillside and is impressively topped by the church of San Jorge, built on the sight of a mosque.
Alcala has numerous inviting cafes and restaurants serving traditional cuisine, such as game from the surrounding forests, and is ideally placed for a relaxing lunch. A sweeping descent will take us into the rolling farmlands of La Janda, passing the huge Barbate reservoir and numerous farms. Soon we arrive at our destination, a beautifully restored ‘Cortijo andaluz’ serving fabulous local dishes.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 530 Metres Approx.
After breakfast we’ll set out on a shorter, more gentle ride, as we descend out of the La Janda farmlands. The route meanders past tiny villages, including the beautifully named Cantarranas (Singing Frogs), along olive-lined lanes.
Vejer, our destination for the day, comes into view way before we arrive, perched high on the now ubiquitous hill, the whitest and most beautifully-restored of the ‘Pueblos Blancos’. Before arriving, the route winds its way through low hills passing the organic Etu winery and the famed il Forno pizzeria before taking a winding descent to the valley floor.
Now, for the last climb up to Vejer, along the Corredera with fantastic views back to the Alcornocales and down to the coast before arriving in the beautiful, palm-filled Plaza Espana, where we will stay. Vejer is a joy to take an evening stroll around, topped by a 10th-century castle, with plentiful tapas bars and boutique shops.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 300 Metres Approx.
Our final day of riding takes us on a long descent down to the coast at the tuna fishing town of Barbate. Several towns along the coast fish prize Bluefin tuna using the sustainable Almadraba method, which was originally developed by the ancient Phoenicians using fixed nets.
The route then climbs into Las Brenas pine forest, where pine nuts are harvested, arriving at el Palomar de Brena, a hotel in an interesting building that claims to house the largest dove cot in the world.
We’ll then take a fabulous descent out of the pines with incredible views out over the Atlantic and onto Cape Trafalgar where Nelson defeated the combined forces of the French and Spanish in 1805. Passing the Cape, we’ll ride alongside the famed surfing beach of El Palmar, lined with cool cafés, before arriving into Conil, illuminated on the hillside above a pristine sweep of fine, white sand, in time for celebratory sundowners.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
Unfortunately, it’s time to leave this beautiful region and fly home. Depending on flight times, you may have time to spend the morning exploring the narrow alleyways of Conil or even a last chance for a dip in the ocean before we transfer you back to the airport for your flight home.
Understanding Profiles
Use these profiles to see:
- Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
- Ascent / Descent in metres (vertical axis)
Click 'see gradient' to see:
- Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
- % Gradient (vertical axis)
Please check the scales on both graphs, and both axes as they both may differ from day to day.
White vertical lines indicate unpaved sections or slightly rougher terrain. Using both graphs, alongside the grading and terrain information provided, will give you a full picture of how flat, bumpy or steep the climbing on your particular tour is going to be. Please keep in mind this is an indicative guide and GPS units and software produce different statistical information.
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
This place to place trip is 100% on tarmac, taking you through beautiful Andalucia on mountain roads and back-lanes with almost no traffic. You’ll start the trip high up in the mountains, finishing on the shores of the wild Atlantic. The roads tend to be well-surfaced with smooth tarmac.
Day 2 will prove the most challenging, with the climb to Grazalema, however the route is generally hilly throughout. For those looking for a bit of a boost up the hills, we recommend opting for e-bike hire on this tour (or joining us on our e-bike only departure) which will help take the sting out of the climbs (particularly up to the white, hill-top villages). For more information about riding an electric bike on our holidays please click here
Otherwise, the route is suitable for either a hybrid or a road bike.
Leisure Cycling Grade
Distances generally between 20-45 miles / 32-72 kms per day
For the leisure cyclist with a good level of physical fitness
May include some steeper, cheeky climbs
Possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc).
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
Although you may not cycle everyday, you do keep yourself relatively fit and maybe enjoy an afternoon out on your bike at the weekend. Your preference is perhaps for flatter terrain but you don’t mind tackling some hills, and the occasional steep climb if you can take it at your own pace. For those happy to tackle some ups and downs, and possibly some sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc) we’d recommend our grade 3 trips. We’d generally expect those on a Grade 3 trip to have a decent level of physical fitness and be comfortable with some longer days in the saddle.
For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.
Dates & Prices
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Whats Included
A) Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms) in a mixture of 2 and 3 hotels and inns
B) Meals as per the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
C) Full tour service, including English-speaking Skedaddle guides
D) Unless stated, at least one leader qualified in first aid
E) Support vehicle, for tired bikers and luggage transfers
F) GPX files available on request
G) Airport transfers on scheduled arrival and departure days from Malaga Airport (AGP)
H) Financial Protection through ABTOT
What's not Included
A) Bike rental (available if required)
B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
C) Meals not stated in the itinerary
D) Single room (available if required)
E) Travel insurance
F) Personal clothing and equipment
G) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)
H) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route
I) Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days
Private Departures
Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.
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