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! At your accommodation, you’ll have your welcome meeting and your local representative will help to fit your bikes, as well as talk through how to use your navigation app.

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. Ronda has a wealth of great eateries and so whether you want gourmet or to lean on a bar in a traditional bodega trying tasty tapas, there is something for everyone!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 800 Metres Approx.

Your cycling journey will begin with a descent out of Ronda, into the deep Guadiaro Valley. Following the Guadiaro River downstream, you’ll drop deeper down to the Cueva del Gato (Cat’s Cave) where you can stop for a coffee, or a swim in the cooling pools that are fed from the cave. You’ll then make your 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, you’ll 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 you 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.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 985 Metres Approx.

Your 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! You’ll drop over a thousand metres, passing the small village of Benamahoma, through the Albarracin range, to the small town of El Bosque. El Bosque is a great choice for a lunch stop, as its river is full of succulent trout (quite a rarity so far south).

After resting from the exhilarating descent, you’ll cycle over rolling farmland, heading to the Guadalcacin Reservoir where you’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 your destination of Arcos de la Frontera, balanced precariously on top of a limestone cliff. You’ll have one more climb to your accommodation, where you’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!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 840 Metres Approx.

Today starts with a descent away from Arcos, through undulating, country lanes, as you pass proud, flowering agave plants and palms to reach the dam of the vast Guadalcacin reservoir, teeming with birdlife. Your 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 you to the white-washed town of Alcala de los Gazules. The road climbs giving 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 fast descent will take you into the rolling farmlands of La Janda, passing the huge Barbate reservoir and numerous farms. You’ll soon arrive at your destination, a beautifully restored ‘Cortijo andaluz’ serving fabulous local dishes.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 530 Metres Approx.

After breakfast you’ll set out on a shorter, more gentle ride, as you 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, your destination for the day, comes into view way before you 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 you 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.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 300 Metres Approx.

Your final day of riding takes you 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 curious building that claims to house the largest dove cot in the world. It’s now a hotel and an ideal place to stop for a refreshment.

You’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, you’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.

• 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.