Overview
The "Pueblos Blancos", or White Villages, set the stage for this picturesque and unforgettable supported bike tour in Southern Spain.
The whitewashed walls of the towns' buildings dazzle against the intense blue of the sky. The towns were originally built and settled by Berber farmers from North Africa who came to Andalusia between the 9th and 10th centuries, the early heyday of Moorish rule. The beautiful local architecture and narrow winding streets testify to this Arab past.
The benevolent climate, long and unspoiled beaches, tapas, and the friendly and hospitable people add to your perfect cycling holiday. The exhilaration of riding through the open mountain and coastal scenery combines with the pleasure of discovery around every bend.
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Highlights
- Ronda and its famous arched bridge, the Puente Nuevo
- Setenil de las Bodegas
- Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park
- Mountain top Grazalema
- Vejer de la Frontera - voted one of Spain's most beautiful villages
Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer from Málaga to Ronda
Day 2: Ronda, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 3: Ronda - Grazalema, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 4: Grazalema - Arcos de la Frontera, 44 mi. (70 km)
Day 5: Arcos de la Frontera - Medina Sidonia, 49 or 63 mi. (79 or 101 km)
Day 6: Medina Sidonia - Vejer de la Frontera, 45 or 53 mi. (72 or 86 km)
Day 7: Vejer de la Frontera - Tarifa, 22 or 69 mi. (35 or 110 km)
Day 8: Tarifa - MalagaAll distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork or other unforeseen circumstances that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions. In this case, please follow the directions posted locally. Your support vehicle is just a phone call away.
Day 1: Transfer from Málaga to Ronda
You will be picked up at your arrival point and transfer to the hotel in Ronda. After arriving, checking in, and refreshing, take the time to explore this beautiful town split into two by the most incredible ravine. Whitewashed houses, where the labyrinth of streets betrays Ronda's Arab past. The elegant bullring and the fine town walls.Preferred accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria Wellness & Spa
Day 2: Ronda, 28 mi. (45 km)
Today's ride visits the beautiful mountains of Málaga between Ronda and the Costa del Sol. The green scenery is dotted with picturesque white villages, and it is usually possible to look down the coast to Gibraltar and the continent of Africa across the Straits. One of the villages is not white but blue! Discover why on this beautiful ride. Spend the rest of the day discovering Ronda.Preferred accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria Wellness & Spa
Day 3: Ronda - Grazalema, 30 mi. (48 km)
From Ronda, you will ride to the incredible village of Setenil de las Bodegas, where the houses are built into the cliff face. Along the way, you can visit the Roman archaeological site of Acinipo. Continuing on, you cycle through a landscape of olive groves, farmland, and small oak forests where the characteristic black pigs are allowed to graze in the open. After the incredible Sentenil de las Bodegas, it is on to the beautiful limestone mountains of the Sierra de Grazalema with immense forests of cork trees and vultures soaring overhead. The hotel is in the open countryside, close to the village of Grazalema, which nestles under the high peaks.Preferred accommodation: Hotel Fuerte Grazalema
Day 4: Grazalema - Arcos de la Frontera, 44 mi. (70 km)
Leaving the hotel, you head to Grazalema and can take some time to wander around the enchanting streets and enjoy the marvelous surroundings of the village. Some might like to take the opportunity to do the spectacular ride up the Puerto de las Palomas. You then have a tremendous long descent which leads through a landscape of cotton fields, bull ranches, and vineyards. The final destination is Arcos de la Frontera, one of the most famous of the white villages, perched high on a hill and dominated by its castle.Preferred accommodation: Parador de Arcos de la Frontera
Day 5: Arcos de la Frontera - Medina Sidonia, 49 or 63 mi. (79 or 101 km)
After leaving Arcos de la Frontera, you head southwards towards the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, one of the largest cork forests in Europe. On reaching the park, you turn towards the Atlantic coast. The route follows the shore of the Guadalcacín reservoir with immense bull ranches. Tonight's stop is in the charming village of Medina Sidonia, an old Arab fortress town and previously a Roman city, not far from the Atlantic Coast.Preferred accommodation: Hotel Medina Sidonia
Day 6: Medina Sidonia - Vejer de la Frontera, 45 or 53 mi. (72 or 86 km)
Today's route leads down towards the coast. After crossing the flatlands of La Janda, where it is often possible to see fighting bulls grazing, you reach the hilltop village of Vejer de la Frontera. You should spend time exploring this enchanting village. The chaotic street plan of Vejer, and indeed of most of the villages that we see en route, is evidence of the Arab past of Spain.Preferred accommodation: Hotel Convento San Francisco
Day 7: Vejer de la Frontera - Tarifa, 22 or 69 mi. (35 or 110 km)
You first descend towards the coast and then follow the beach round to Cape Trafalgar, the site of the famous sea battle. You pass through the fishing villages of Barbate and Zahara de los Atunes, famous for the almadraba, their own peculiar method of fishing for tuna fish. Continuing southwards along the coast, the mountains of Morocco slowly become visible. The final destination is Tarifa and the Strait of Gibraltar, where Europe greets Africa and the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic.Preferred accommodation: Hotel & Spa La Residencia Puerto
Day 8: Transfer from Tarifa to Málaga
After breakfast, you are transferred to Málaga, departing from Tarifa at 9:30 (stopping briefly to look at Morocco across the Strait), arriving at Málaga Airport at 12:00, and then continuing on to the city center for those who are extending their stay. Tonight's accommodation is not part of the tour. Different transfer times may be available and are subject to a supplement. It is also possible to take a train from nearby Algeciras to Madrid. You may also like to leave the tour after breakfast in Tarifa and then go on to Seville, or maybe take a ferry to Morocco. Details on request.Be sure to check out all of our tours in Europe or view our featured trips, specials, and news.
Map
Hotels & Bikes
Hotels
You will be accommodated in a mixture of 2, 3, and 4-star hotels each chosen for their location and quality of service. For example in Grazalema you will stay in a 4-star establishment located in the heart of the Parque Natural de la Sierra de Grazalema. In Parador de Arcos de la Frontera, you will stay in the former house of the local magistrate, overlooking the Guadalete River, offering spectacular views of the lovely Cádiz town. The hotel’s idyllic location makes it one of the best choices for visiting the sights of Arcos de la Frontera. On each day’s details you will find the name of the preferred hotel. If the preferred hotel is not available, a hotel of equal standard will be offered.
Bicycles
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 7 nights
- Breakfast
- Hybrid touring bike rental (Trek or Specialized). Please see our bike section for more information. Please note that final bike rental may vary depending on availability. We will inform you upon confirmation of type of bike rental available and any corresponding details.
- Accompanying vehicle and guide (note that the guide does not cycle with the group)
- Route information, maps, & elevation profiles
- GPS files
What’s Not Included
- Lunches & dinners
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Gratuities
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2024
Upon request.
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Pricing available upon request.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate
Generally, this tour is rated as moderate. Routes have soft options for those cyclists who do not wish to cycle the full stage, or participants may take advantage of the support vehicle. Many days of the tour there is a lot gradual climbing followed by the descent. Some days of the tour there may be one climb and otherwise all downhill. Fitter cyclists may extend stages at will. Nobody has to cycle more than they feel comfortable with. And remember that e-bikes make any route a lot easier!
Airport Info
The closest international airport is Málaga-Costa del Sol (AGP). Our partner will pick you up from various possible arrival points in Málaga including hotels, railway station, bus station, and airport for transfer to Ronda. Travel time is 1 hour and 20 minutes.
It is also possible to arrive at Seville Airport (SVQ) and take the bus to Ronda.
Spanish cities are connected by train via the RENFE network. Ronda has a direct train to Madrid, and Seville has the high-speed AVE service.
The tour ends in Tarifa and a return transfer is included, departing Tarifa at 9:30 am with arrival at the airport in Malaga at 12 noon. From there the transfer continues on to the city center for those who are remaining in Malaga or continuing their journey elsewhere in Spain.Climate
In Andalusia, the southernmost region of Spain, there are different types of climate: the Mediterranean climate of the coast, which becomes particularly cool and windy in the southern tip (where the east wind reigns supreme), and particularly arid in the east; the Mediterranean climate, though with very hot summers, in the valley of the Guadalquivir; the semi-continental climate in low-mountain areas; and finally, the alpine climate on high mountains.
Remarks
This tour is a supported tour, which means that there is a van and driver on the tour to support the riders. Riders do not ride together unless they wish to do so. There is no set departure time for each day’s ride. Detailed route instructions, maps, GPS files, etc. are supplied to ensure accurate route finding. The van will support cyclists and make sure everyone is cycling within their comfort zone, providing assistance, shortening stages if needs be etc. The driver will be accessible by mobile phone at all times. In the evening a happy hour and briefing on the following day’s ride will be arranged (attendance optional). If people wish to dine together in the evening, the guide will recommend and book the dinner venue and will also accompany the group if asked to do so. An accompanying cycling guide is an optional extra. Participants are not expected to behave as a group but may do so if they prefer.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Extra Stay
Please ask us for pricing for extra nights before or after your tour.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Ibero Cycle.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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