Description

Andalucia White villages

Andalucia White villages

Daily departures available
01 Mar to 17 Apr / 21 Apr to 30 Apr / 05 May to 30 Jun / 09 Sep –to14 Nov

Only need a bike for Andalusia or the Costa del Sol? BOOK HERE

This incredible cycling Tour in an unspoiled area of southern Spain will take you through the most stunning mountain scenery in western Andalucia. Cycle through quiet country roads and lanes. The route will lead you past limestone peaks and cork oak-clad sierras, linking the traditional pueblos blancos (white villages) Where this region of Spain is famous.

Your cycling starts out from the beautiful hilltop village of Jimena. The route heads straight into Los Alcornocales, with rolling hills as far as the eye can see. Ronda is next on the cycling hit list, with time for you to explore the beautifully preserved old town and Tajo gorge, with the next few days spent in the beauty of the Grazalema Natural Park, and finally Arcos de la Frontera. Cycle through Andalucia on mountain roads and back lanes with almost no traffic. The roads tend to be excellently surfaced with lashings of smooth blacktop. There are some meaty climbs taking you over 1,000m/3280ft, but there is plenty of time to enjoy the scenery on the way up. This is a cycling Tour for any road cyclist looking to explore the exquisite countryside, Moorish history, and fantastic food with lashings of Andaluz character.

Cycle all the best that Southern Spain has to offer

Riding the beautiful Serrania de Ronda, past white villages, chestnut groves, and craggy sierras
A fantastic mixture of great small rural hotels
Cycle average distances around 70-90km with occasional challenging climbs
Enjoy the busy Costas of the Mediterranean
Exploring beautiful Ronda, perched on its magnificent gorge
Reaching the dramatic Puerto de las Palomas
Grazalema, nestled below atmospheric, limestone mountains
See the ‘campesinos’ working the land and herding livestock to produce exquisite cheeses and cured meats, succulent fruits,
Sipping local sherries with tasty tapas in the bodegas of Arcos

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Day 1

Arrival: Malaga / Pizarra

You’ll be met on arrival into Malaga airport and transferred to your first night’s accommodation in Pizarra in the Guadalhorce valley. After bike fitting or un-packing, should you have brought your own bike, time will be taken to talk you through the week, chat through how to use your navigation app, as well as to answer any queries that you may have. 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).

Day 2

Pizarra to El Burgo - 56km

After a relaxing breakfast, packing your bags and leaving them at reception you will set off on your Andalucian adventure. You´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.

Day 3

El Burgo to Setenil de las Bodegas - 72km

After a delicious breakfast you have a beautiful day’s ride in store. Today’s route will take you through the Sierra de las Nieves and over the Vibora pass. As you drop down through lofty pines there will be great views to the east before you 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.

Day 4

Setenil de las Bodegas to Grazalema - 48km

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 you turn each pedal. You will have more than enough time for the steadiest of climbs, so don’t worry. You’ll get great vistas back over the reservoir and across to the conical Penon del Gastor mountain. Around halfway up the road, you 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 you to Puerto de las Palomas (Pass of the Doves), and you will deserve a celebratory rest to admire your efforts. Approaching the village of Grazalema itself; from above you’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!

Day 5

Grazalema Loop - 56km

An easy morning today as there’s no need to pack as the day’s loop ride will return you 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 you’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. El Bosque could be a good choice for a lunch stop as its river, of the same name, is full of succulent trout (quite a rarity at such southerly latitudes). 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.

Day 6

Grazalema to Ronda - 62/91km

There is a choice of two routes today as you head to the dramatically situated town of Ronda, perched on the top of the El Tajo canyon. Our first leg of the day takes you east out of Grazalema through holm oak and cork trees and soon you’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. Just before the top a choice needs to be made about whether to take the more direct northerly road to Ronda or to continue on and take in Juzcar. On the longer route there’s one more climb for the day through Los Riscos, an area of amazing weather-sculptured rock formations that lead you out of the Genal valley to the edge of the Natural Park of Las Nieves (the snows!). Whichever route you take there will be a rewarding descent to beautiful Ronda and your 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 your 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.

Day 7

Ronda to Pizarra - 69km

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. You can take your 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!

Day 8

Departure: Pizarra / Malaga

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

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All prices are based on double rooms - for bookings & inquiries: send an email to info@cycleclassictours.com
Base package per person in double room €1860

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Please be advised that we make every effort to ensure that all the information given on this site is accurate. All statements and information have been researched and supplied by third parties.
The information given is accurate and reliable, to the best of our knowledge. Should errors be found, we will rectify them as quickly as possible. However, we accept no responsibility for errors or inaccuracies.

Included

Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms)
Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Local representative (with welcome meeting)
Access to an app for holiday information and navigation
Luggage transfers
Airport transfer on scheduled arrival day from Malaga airport (AGP)
Airport transfer on scheduled departure day to Malaga airport (AGP)

Not Included

Bike rental (available if required)
Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
Meals not stated in the itinerary
Single room (available if required)
Travel insurance
Personal clothing and equipment
Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)
Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route
Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days

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Andalucia White villages

This incredible cycling Tour in an unspoiled area of southern Spain will take you through the most stunning mountain scenery in western Andalucia

Moderate

01 Mar - 14 Nov

(On Request)

2- 3*** Hotels

(On Request)

Description

Andalucia White villages

Cycle all the best that Southern Spain has to offer

Itinerary