Day 1
Check in
Arrive at airport. Transfer to Antequera. Try bikes, and visit Old Quarter of town with its whitewashed streets, many fine churches and castle and the "only" bullring in Spain with a restaurant. Antequera is a truly charming and lively city in the mountains of Málaga. It is also home to its famous dolmenrs, some of the most impressive megalithic constructions en Europe.
Day 2
Antequera to Iznájar - 55km
Leave Antequera through gently rolling countryside and olive groves towards the Peña de los Enamorados (Lovers' Rock), which tells a tragic story of the love between a Muslim princess and a Christian soldier. Then on through the Andalusian countryside to the village of Iznájar, a typical Arab village with its castle dominating the dramatic setting overlooking the blue waters of the Embalse de Iznájar reservoir.
Day 3
Iznájar to Zuheros - 65km
Follow the reservoir towards the village of Rute, famous for its donkey sanctuary aniseed liqueur. On to Lucena, known in medieval times as the "Pearl of the Three Cultures" (Jewish, Christian and Arab. We can ride up to the Santuario de Araceli, patron of Lucena, to be rewarded with infinite views of the Andalusia. Then the Vía Verde cycle path across some spectacular countryside to the incredible Moorish village of Zuheros, with its 9th century castle perched high above the surrounding countryside and with the backdrop of the Sierra Subbética.
Day 4
Zuheros - 79km
A morning ride takes us down into the valley of the River Guadalquivir to the wonderful city of Córdoba, famous for its fabulous mosque. Then spend the rest of the day visiting the city before a vehicle transfer to Zuheros. Alternatively, we can stay in Zuheros. One option is to cycle to the olive oil producing town of Baena to visit the traditional oil press of Nuñez de Prado in Baena. From here we can cycle towards the Laguna del Salobral and then return to Zuheros along the Vía Verde cycle path with more spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
Day 5
Zuheros to Priego de Córdoba - 34km
Today is a shorter route that takes us around the Parque Natural to our next stop, shortly before Priego de Cordoba. Priego de Córdoba has a fine medieval Muslim quarter and is known as the capital of the Cordoba baroque style due to its several fine churches dating from this period. (This route can of course be extended at will by those who wish to explore the beautiful Parque Natural de las Sierras Subbéticas).
Day 6
Priego de Córdoba to Montefrío - 49km
From Priego de Córdoba continue through the Sierra Subbética. We head through fine and hilly countryside, through a veritable "forest" of olive trees to finally arrive in the fine village of Montefrío, dominated by its 15thcentury church built after the town was reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1486. In 2015, National Geographic included Montefrío as one of the ten most beautiful village views in the world.
Day 7
Montefrío to Granada - 61km
From Montefrío, the Catholic Monarchs began their march to conquer the city of Granada, and we will do the same, albeit in a rather more discreet fashion. A brief ascent from Montefrío leads to a magnificent descent towards the Plain of Granada, with the Sierra Nevada visible in the distance. Crossing the plain with its distinctive tobacco barns and poplar trees, we pass through the village of Fuente Vaqueros, birthplace of the famous poet and playwright Federico García Lorca, born in 1898 and tragically assassinated at the beginning of the Civil War. Finally we reach the city of Granada.
Day 8
Granada
You spend one more night to allow to see the sights of Granada. Visit the Muslim quarter of El Albayzín and the cathedral, where the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabel are buried. And of course La Alhambra, the magnificent fusion of gardens, Muslim palaces and fortress that makes such a unique monument. And if you still want to ride, you can tackle the slopes of the Sierra Nevada.
Day 9
Departure day
Early departure after breakfast to transfer to Málaga Airport.
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