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A loop cycle within Andalucia to uncover an oasis of green where the classic Spanish mountain scenery of picturesque whitewashed villages nestled into the local hillsides will not fail to impress. The Sierra de Grazalema offers ideal cycling conditions with gently rolling hills. Discover a landscape of marvellous limestone sculptures, marked by deep gorges where vultures nest among the cliff tops. At lunchtime, replenish your energy with a round of tapas enjoyed on an outdoor terrace, then continue through the unspoilt countryside painted in earth tones, punctuated by brilliant white buildings set against the soft grey-green of olive orchards, cork oak woods and Spanish silver firs. In the midst of these exquisite natural surroundings, you'll encounter 'pueblos blancos' with exotic Moorish names like Benaocaz and Jimera del Ibar, which recall centuries of disputed borders between Arab and Christian kingdoms. At the end of the week, you return to Ronda, one of the prettiest towns in Andalucia and indeed in all of Spain, with its intriguing mix of Moorish and European monuments.
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19kg of CO2-e PP per day
(131kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive Ronda
Make your own way to the hotel in Ronda, a major historical town in Andalucía's "pueblos blancos".
Meals: B
Day 2
Ascend to Setenil de las Bodegas, continue to the pretty village of Olvera (37km/23mi)
A lovely route for your first day of cycling. You'll ascend to Setenil de las Bodegas, perched on rocky cliffs overlooking the River Guadalporcun. You then cycle by way of Arriate and Torre Alhaquime to reach the pretty village of Olvera, surrounded by open farmland and vast olive orchards. Ascent: 450m
Day 3
Cycle through whitewashed villages to the hilltop Zahara de la Sierra (49km/30.5mi)
Today's route follows narrow tarmac roads through farmland, to reach the town of Algodonales. There's a lovely contrast of white-washed buildings among a variety of earth tones. Zahara de la Sierra is another magnificently-situated cliff-top village. Ascent: 500m
Day 4
Ascend to Grazalema and on to Benaocaz with its Moorish town centre (41km/25.5mi)
Today you do a tough ascent of 470m to reach Grazalema, then cycle onward to Benaocaz, where you come upon ancient sections of a Roman Road. The historical town centre is of Moorish origin, with a church built on the site of a former mosque. Ascent: 500m
Day 5
Via Ubrique, around the Grazalema mountains to Jimera de Libar, train to Benaojan (41km/25.5mi)
First you descend to the town of Ubrique, the largest of all white villages with many bars, restaurants and shops. You'll then start to climb along a quiet interior road and cross the largest cork oak reserve of Spain as you cycle around the central massif of the Grazalema mountains. Enjoy magnificent views while you cycle down into the green valley of the river Guadario. You barely have to move your feet for 10km, before you arrive at the train station in Jimera de Líbar. Here you take the train with your bike to Benaojan and 5 minutes later you reach Benaojan and your cosy rural hotel. Ascent: 500m
Day 6
Cycle aross the 'Encinas Borrachas' pass to Ronda (26 or 15km/16 or 9mi)
This part of the trip takes you back to Ronda by way of the "Encinas Borrachas" pass (1000m), on the road from Gaucín to Ronda. It's a very scenic route and quiet short, but you'll have to do 2 ascents of 350m. Your reward is a long descent to Ronda and a grand entrance across the town's spectacular bridge. If you prefer to skip the long ascents, you can travel with your bike by train to Ronda. Ascents: 800 or 400m
Day 7
Trip concludes
Your trip concludes this morning after breakfast. We can book extra nights in Ronda if you'd like to spend more time here, please ask for our rates.
What's included
What's not included
You will be provided with a 24 speed high quality rental bike. Helmet rental is available or bring your own well fitting helmet from home. In Spain your are required by law to wear a helmet while cycling. In the case of a puncture the assumption is that you can repair. You will be given a puncture repair kit, to fix the issue.
An electric bike is available on request. Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedalling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or for cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current fitness capabilities. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists. Minimum age for e-bike rental is 14 years and a minimum height requirement is 150cm / 4ft11in.
GRADE 4 - The cycling takes place in the Sierra de Grazalema mountain range and accordingly the route is undulating with ascents of between 400m and 800m each day. Some sections are quite steep. The average daily stages of 26-49km / 16-30mi ) are achievable for anyone of good to excellent cycling fitness, or if taking an electric bike, a reasonable level of fitness is required. The route is mainly on tarmac mountain roads and is easy to navigate with the App. There is minimal traffic on the route but you will need to be comfortable cycling with traffic in towns such as Ronda. As with all of our trips it is important that you are well prepared. We suggest that you undertake regular exercise – swimming, cycling, and jogging, two to three times a week for three months prior to your departure.
Per Person, Twin Share
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