Ronda - photo via Flickr:Toprural Casares - photo via Flickr:rociogarro

Andalusia

Spain Road Bike Tour

The mountains halfway between Malaga and Seville in Southern Spain are the perfect back drop for this wonderful week of cycling. Come and challenge yourself in the same region where the Spanish cycling team trains.

Your journey starts in the town of Ronda one of the loveliest and most historic towns in all of Andalucia, famous worldwide for its dramatic cliffs, steep slopes, and views. Here you will pick up your bike at Cycle Ronda and spend your first night in luxurious accommodations.

On your first touring day, you encounter three steep climbs as you cycle through the villages of Benaojan and El Colmenar to Gaucin at 625 meters (2050 ft.) above sea level. It is the first of the "white villages" you will encounter. Once you see the town, you will understand the term. Perched on the crest of the Sierra del Hacho, its white washed buildings are situated against the looming dark backdrop of the Serranía de Ronda where, depending on the time of year, you can enjoy impressionistic splashes of color: brilliant brush strokes of red poppies, yellow mimosa, wild orchids, tempered by the cool green of olive groves and occasional splash of pale pink almond blossom. You can visit the Roman era Castillo del Alquila or Eagle's Castle.

From Gaucin, you cycle toward the Mediterranean coast through the dense woods of Alcornocales National Park, climbing to approximately 1010 meters (3313 ft.) approaching the town of Casares, another white village. To say that Casares is beautiful is an understatement. Most of the white villages are beautiful but there is something very special about the sight of Casares. The buildings look like sugar cubes, piled high, nudging the battlements of an Arab castle. Those wanting a rewarding experience will follow the narrow street adjacent to the Virgin del Rosario chapel. Keep climbing and eventually you will have reached the top of the town of some 1,400 meters (4593 ft.) above sea level. There is an old fortress here and a decrepit church, as well as a marvelous view overlooking the rooftops of the village.

By the fourth day of you tour, you will encounter a rolling landscape with views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Moroccan Rif mountains. At one point you will descend to 200 meters (984 ft.) but soon you will face the challenge of the Col del Boyar, ascending to 1111 meters (3645 ft). Your reward will be your descent into Grazalema, the third white village. Its steep, cobbled streets are immaculately kept and are lined by whitewashed houses with windows covered by wrought-iron rejas and plant pots spilling over with colorful flowers.

Just north of the village of Zahara, you will tackle one of the most beautiful mountains in Spain, El Puerto de las Palomas. Many professional cyclists have climbed this pass. Beginning at 300 meters (984ft) you will climb to 1189 meters (3900 ft.). After this steep climb, ranging from a 10 to 14% grade, you will be rewarded with a wooded landscape with magnificent views.

The last day of cycling can be characterized by short but strong climbs and descents, passing through more white villages in the Serrania Ronda Mountains.

You will depart from this tour with your senses saturated by the beauty of Andalusia and with a strong feeling of accomplishment. You will be challenged and rewarded in many ways. It will be an experience that you will never forget!

Where You’ll Stay

3 star accomodations.

What’s Included

  • 7 nights in hotels based on double occupancy
  • 7 breakfasts
  • 5 dinners (Day 2 to Day 7)
  • Luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
  • Route descriptions and maps
  • Racing bike with 30 gears or Touring bike with 24 gears

What’s Not Included

  • Transportation from/to Malaga airport (€ 95, one way for 2-4 persons)
  • If needed, bicycle tranfer from/to Malaga airport (€ 65, one way, 2-4 bikes)

Andalusia Map

Book This Trip

TourRoad Bike
TypeSelf Guided
SkillModerate–Difficult
Length8 days
From€915
Print Tour

Tour Dates

  • Departures every Saturday.

Skill Level

Moderate to difficult; self-guided hotel tour

Moderate to difficult; self-guided/hotel tour. The itinerary mainly follows good asphalt roads. There are many peaks to be climbed. The average grade ranges between 4% and 14% and does not exceed 15 miles of continuous climbing.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Andalusia Map
  1. Saturday: Arrival in Ronda
  2. Sunday: Ronda, roundtrip, passing through Cartajima and Igualeja, 56 mi. (90 km)
  3. Monday: Ronda to Gaucin, 52-77 mi., (83-123 km)
  4. Tuesday: Gaucin, roundtrip, passing through Jubrique and Casares, 50 mi.(80 km)
  5. Wednesday: Gaucin to Grazalema with Col del Boyar, 67-97 mi. ((107-155 km)
  6. Thursday: Grazalema, roundtrip, through Ubrique and Zahara with Puerto de las Palomas, 55-82 mi. (87-130 km)
  7. Friday: Grazalema to Ronda with Col del Viento, 67-79 mi. (110-126 km)
  8. Saturday: Departure.

 

    Book This Trip

    Questions? Call us! 877-965-2064 or e-mail us

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