Ronda and the Sierra de Grazalema by Bike

Make your own way to the hotel in Ronda, a major historical town in Andalucía's "pueblos blancos".

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

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

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

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

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

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.