Andalusia Route of Olives Cycle

Arrive in beautiful Andalucía and settle into your comfortable 4-star accommodation. After today's journey, you may wish to take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool and then enjoy an aperitif before dinner.

Choose among several options for cycling in the area. All three routes include a visit to the village of Priego de Córdoba and of course the joy of riding along endless country lanes, winding through olive orchards with views of historic Moorish watchtowers. +300 to 600m/984 to 1968ft, -300 to 600m/984 to 1968ft.

Today is more challenging with some good ascents. From Priego, you ride up and straight through the Sierra Albayate. Then it's on to Montefrío, another lovely village of white-washed houses clustered round a Moorish castle. Your accommodation is a converted traditional olive oil mill and press, recalling the vital importance of liquid gold in this land. +800mt/2624ft , -520mt/1706ft

A day to rest and relax or to enjoy an excursion by bus to Granada, a small city with an ancient past and a surprisingly cosmopolitan feel. In addition to the Alhambra, a stunning display of Moorish architecture is not to missed, the city has other jewels to offer: the enchanting labyrinth of narrow lanes in the Albaycín quarter, the streets lined with tea houses or the impressive Capilla Real (Royal Chapel). To visit Alhambra, you need to book tickets well in advance online (optional).

Once again cycle through the enchanting tapestry of beautiful grey-green orchards on gently rolling hills like waves in a sea of olive trees. Today's route is composed of a short, practically flat section of 8 km / 5 mi on tarmac, and some more demanding ascents but all efforts rewarded with a long final descent to your hotel in Iznájar. +585mt-900mt/1919ft-2952ft, -1200mt/3937ft

Today you cycle past olive orchards and pine woods to the village of Zuheros. On this first leg of your journey, you cycle through foothills beneath the jagged peaks of the Sierra Subbética. The route is fairly long and has two steep ascents, at km 22 / mi 13 and km 28 / mi 17. The last section of the route takes you along the Via Verde, a converted railway cycling path. If you do no wish to stop off in the village of Cabra, you can take the Via Verde earlier and ignore the detour to Cabra. +500m/1640ft, -500m/1640ft

A shorter ride today, through the beautiful area surrounding the Sierra Subbética Natural Park. Back at your 4-star accommodation in the country, a refreshing plunge in the pool. This evening, choose from among 3 restaurants for dinner. +250m/820ft, -360m/1181ft