White Villages of Andalucia Sporting Tours
Self guided point-to-point cycling tours
This sporting tour through Andalucia is suitable for the avid cyclist, sportive riders and keen road bike riders. Expect to ride 50-100km per day on this point-to-point tour.
Fantastic road cycling in the heart of southern Spain, through beautiful white villages with picturesque and dramatic scenery. Riding on quiet country lanes your week long point-to-point sporting tour takes you on a journey of discovery through the Andalucian countryside by rivers, lakes, cork forests, olive groves, over mountain passes and to many beautiful white villages that are synonymous with Andalucia.
Your point-to-point sporting tour starts in Alora a typical ‘Pueblo Blanco’ (White Village) which is topped by the ruins of a magnificent castle. Alora is the perfect setting to start your trip with the Ardales Lakes, the amazing El Chorro Gorge and the El Torcal Natural Park all within easy riding distance.
Next you ride onto one of the oldest and most beautiful cities of Spain, Ronda. Situated on an impressive plateau and surrounded by mountains Ronda is famous for its spectacular gorge 'El Tajo' the cliffs are spanned by a bridge, a popular place for travellers to admire the breathtaking views.
Finally you end your tour in Grazalema, a traditional white village (pueblo blanco) nestled in the mountains of the Grazalema Natural Park. The dramatic landscape surrounding Grazalema makes for some great riding with breathtaking views, it seems at every turn. Grazalema is one of the 'must see' white villages in this area.
Amongst the many highlights of the trip are; the El Chorro Gorge, the Lakes at Ardales, El Torcal Natural Park, the beautiful Moorish castle at Zahara and last but by no means least the stunning Gorge, which splits Ronda in two.
Detailed Route Cards and Maps
We take pride in our cycling route cards, checking and update them regularly. We also provide a map (usually 1:50,000).
Our route cards are your guide, providing much more information than the basic directions. Just as a guide would tell you about the places you pass, our route cards include information on historic villages, places of interest and momuments along the way. If it’s worth making a short detour to a fantastic viewpoint, we point this out too. We even suggest cafés and restaurants where you can stop for lunch.
What to bring
Wearing a helmet while cycling in Spain is mandatory, we recommend that you bring your own or we can supply you with a helmet.
It's important to be comfortable when cycling so we recommend wearing thin layers of clothing. Fast drying and hardwearing synthetic fabrics are ideal as a base layer as these allow your skin to breathe and wick the moisture away from your skin. In my opinion cycling shorts are a must, if you are not comfortable on the saddle you will be less likely to want to ride.
Your luggage transported
We want you to enjoy your self guided sporting tour in Andalucia to the full so, for your comfort, we arrange the transportation of your luggage from one hotel to the next. All we ask is that you leave your suitcases in reception on transfer days, and a member of the Andalucian Cycling Experience team will ensure that they are waiting for you at your next hotel. All you need to carry with you are drinks, a camera, some cash and sun cream.
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DEPARTURES
This tour is available all year round.
ITINERARY
Day 1
We will collect and transfer you from the airport to our first nights accommodation. Time to check the bikes over and perhaps a short spin (depending on your flight times) to make sure the bikes are all good to go. Followed by an opportunity to relax and unwind by the pool before the real riding begins.
Day 2
The first days riding takes you through the beautiful Ardales Natural Park, an area that is known as the 'Spanish lake district', to the stunning El Chorro Gorge and the lakes at Ardales before riding through the El Torcal Natural Park where you see some of the most breathtaking views in the whole of Andalucia.
You return to Alora for a second night.
Ride stats
Option 1 Distance 60km Total Climbing 1020m
Option 2 Distance 65km Total Climbing 1510m
Option 3 Distance 103km Total Climbing 1845m
Day 3
Back on the bikes and a trip through the Sierra de Nieves to the historic city of Ronda. The cycling is simply stunning, quiet roads, fabulous climbs and exhilarating descents, you pass through several white villages before arriving in Ronda, famous for its spectacular gorge, is steeped in history. Ronda also boasts the oldest and biggest bull ring in Spain.
Ride stats
Option 1 Distance 80km Total Climbing 1700m
Day 4
In total you'll spend 3 nights in Ronda giving you plenty of opportunity to explore this historic cliff top city, it's cobbled back streets, numerous tapas bars and excellent restaurants. Must do things in Ronda are a visit to the House of the Moorish Kings from within which you can walk down inside the cliff to the bottom of the gorge. A walk along the Ramparts of Xijara, which the Arabs built to fortify the town; three of the ramparts can still be viewed today. Tour of the Arabic baths and of course the bullring. Todays highlight is a ride down to the Costa del Sol a swim in the Mediterranean before riding back to Ronda.
Ride stats
Option 1 Distance 45km Total Climbing 985m
Option 2 Distance 60km Total Climbing 920m
Option 3 Distance 101km Total Climbing 1650m
Day 5
Today you'll explore the Genal valley, passing the Cueva de Gatos the largest subterranean cave system in southern Europe and the Cueva de Piletas with its pre-historic drawings. The terrain is far more rugged and mountainous with plenty of long climbs and fast descents. Alternatively you could take a day out of the saddle for a spot of rest and relaxation.
Ride stats
Option 1 Distance 58km Total Climbing 1220m
Option 2 Distance 77km Total Climbing 1850m
Day 6
Finally you end your tour with a 2 night stay in Grazalema, one of, if not the most picturesque 'pueblo blanco' (white village) in this area. Surrounded on three sides by mountains Grazalema makes a great base to test yourselves in the mountains with numerous awesome climbs which of course are always followed by exhilarating descents.
Ride stats
Option 1 Distance 35km Total Climbing 650m
Option 2 Distance 50km Total Climbing 1100m
Option 3 Distance 75km Total Climbing 1750m
Day 7
Sadly, the last day of your point-to-point sporting tour, but with 3 great rides to choose from. A 'must do' ride whilst you are in Grazalema is to ride Puerto de la Palomas a category 1 climb which has featured in the Vuelta a Andalucia and the Vuelta a Espana.
Ride stats
Option 1 Distance 40km Total Climbing 950m
Option 2 Distance 55km Total Climbing 1210m
Option 3 Distance 95km Total Climbing 2160m
Day 8
Time to pack those bags for the last time before we collect you for your flights home.
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PRICE
The cost of your Self Guided Sporting Tour is 695 Euros per person based on two people sharing a room.
Orbea road bikes are available to hire for 135 Euros for the tour.
Airport transfers (Optional) 60 Euros per person on a collection and return basis
ACCOMMODATION
Your accommodation in Alora is in a farmhouse hotel, in Ronda a 4 star luxury hotel and in Grazalema a 3 star hotel.
WHAT THE PRICE INCLUDES
1) Accommodation (based on two people sharing)
2) All breakfasts
3) Route notes and maps.
4) Luggage transfers.
WHAT THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
1) Flights & charges for bringing your bike (if applicable)
2) Travel Insurance.
3) Airport Transfers.
4) Evening meals and beverages.
INSURANCE
It is a condition of our trip that you are covered by a medical and personal accident insurance policy that includes cover for sports activities and repatriation to your home country.
SPENDING MONEY
Switch & credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard and may be used for purchasing goods, paying for food and for drawing cash. We recommend that you bring 2-300 GBP worth of Euros for the start of the trip.
HIGH QUALITY BICYCLES & EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
Our self guided sporting tour isto be enjoy by yourselves, with all the freedom of independence, but in the knowledge that every detail has been taken care of. We provide you with a bike that is right for the terrain but more importantly right for you too.
Our Orbea road bikes are
1) no more than two years old
2) expertly serviced and maintained
3) have 20 gears with a compact 50/34 front & 12/25 rear cassettes
4) pump, puncture repair kit, spare inner tube & mini tool
5) lock
In the rare event that you encounter any mechanical problems with your bike or you need emergency assistance whilst riding, rest assured that a member of the Andalucian Cycling Experience team is only a phone call away. However, for your own convenience we recommend that you are familiar with very basic bike maintenance and that you are able to repair a simple puncture.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
We offer airport transfers from Malaga Airport
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Testimonials
Brian & Pat from London, 'A fantastic week cycling through Andalucia with well thought out easy to follow route cards. Excellent'!