White Villages of Andalucia Self Guided Tour

Ronda Tour

Welcome to Andalucian Cycling Experience - White Villages of Andalucia Tour. Fantastic cycling in the heart of southern Spain , through beautiful white villages with picturesque and dramatic scenery.

Riding on a combination of country lanes and dirt tracks, your week's cycling meanders through the Andalucian countryside by rivers, lakes, cork forests, the Via Verde and many beautiful white villages that are synonymous with Andalucia.

For children, we recommend our family cycling holidays, unless you are travelling with teenagers who can use adult bikes.

This gently paced village to village adventure starts in Ronda , one of the oldest and most beautiful cities of Spain. 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. We then move onto Olvera one of Andalucia's most dramatic 'pueblos blancos' which is overlooked by a Moorish castle and stunning church, a perfect location to discover the true delights of rural Spain .

Next we glide effortlessly along the Via Verde, an old railway line, perfect for cycling, as it rolls through the breathtaking scenery of the Andalucian countryside where we see the historic, cultural and natural delights of the 'real' Andalucia.

Midweek brings us to Zahara de la Sierra, a Moorish town which was fiercely fought over by the Moors and Christians. The prominent Moorish Castle, which can be seen from miles away, towers above this stunning hilltop village which is located at the foot of a beautiful lake.

After Zahara your tour takes you to Grazalema, a pretty mountain village, set in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and surrounded on three sides by mountains. Its steep cobbled streets are lined with white whitewashed houses whose window boxes bringing a splash of colour to this lively little village.

Finally we end your tour back in Ronda, where you'll have the chance to explore this historic town which has established itself as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain and has become reknown for its fine cuisine.

Amongst the many highlights of the trip are; the beautiful Grazalema Natural Park, the beautiful Moorish castle at Zahara, the Peñon Zaframagon, a craggy out crop which is the home to the largest colony of Griffon Vultures in Andalucia and last but by no means least the stunning Gorge, which splits Ronda in two.

Please note that we would grade this route as an intermediate ride. There are a number of hills to climb on most days, all of which are doable but do require a bit of effort. To get the most out of this trip you should be use to riding/exercising on a regular basis.

Where possible we try to keep to quiet country lanes, however, on one or two occassions we do have to use busier roads for a few kilometres to get you into the villages.

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. Trainers are fine for cycling and for when you stop off to visit places on foot.

Your luggage transported

We want you to enjoy your self guided cycling 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 each morning, 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.

DEPARTURES

This tour is available all year round.

 

 

ITINERARY

Day 1

Claire or myself will collect and transfer you from the airport to our first nights accommodation. Ronda, one of the oldest and most beautiful cities of Spain, is an ideal setting to start your holiday. Depending on you time of arrival there will be a chance for you to explore Ronda experiencing its beautiful architecture and cultural heritage. The evening provides you with the first opportunity to taste the regional specialities in a restaurant or tapa's bar of your choice.

Day 2

Onto the bikes for your first of many leisurely rides along quiet country lanes we head towards Olvera via Setenil de la Bodegas. Setenil was once a thriving economic centre on the 'Travellers route' between Sevilla and Ronda this picturesque white village is now famous for its cave houses and olive oil. Here we recommend that you stop for lunch at, in my opinion, one of the best tapa's bars in this area which is set beneath the overhanging rock face inside a cave.

Once you arrive in Olvera there will be plenty of time to relax, unwind and explore the narrow cobbled streets of this stunning white village.

Option 1 Distance 35km

Option 2 Distance 50km

Day 3

Following breakfast you ride along the 'Via Verde de la Sierra' which meanders from Olvera to Puerto Serrano. Along the route we pass through a variety of landscapes from farm land to a mountain region. Water is a common element of the landscape as the route follows the path of the two rivers of Guadalete & Guadalporcun, therefore the Mediterranean vegetation is lush. Riding along this old railway track you pass over several viaducts, the most impressive being at Coripe, and through 30 tunnels the longest of which is 990metres. Refreshments stops can be made at 3 of the 5 railway stations along the route which have been renovated into tourist information centres with cafes/restaurants. At your next hotel there will be a chance for a dip in the pool before chilling out on the terrace with a glass or two of Sangria and your favourite book.

Distance 55km

Day 4

Back on the bikes you ride along quiet country lanes that meander there way towards Zahara de la Sierra in time for lunch at a restaurant over looking the lake. After lunch take time out to discover the delights of this picturesque 'pueblo blanco' (white village) and take in the breathtaking views from the hilltop Moorish Castle before riding on to your next hotel where you can enjoy the sunset views over the lake.

Distance 32km

Day 5

Todays riding you´ll explore the stunning Grazalema Natural Park and the beautiful white village of Grazalema, which is surrounded by three sides of mountains. Here you have an opportunity to explore the narrow streets, enjoy the beautiful views back across the route we have taken and sample a few tapa's and local hospitality. After your stop you head of through an enchanting cork tree forest to your next Hotel a traditional Spanish Cortijo (Farmhouse) near Montecorto.

Distance 35km

Optional additional 14-28km to add onto the middle of this ride

Day 6

You ride through two more beautiful white villages stopping at the Cueva de Gatos along the way with the opportunity to swim in a fresh water lagoon before reaching our destination for the day Ronda. A short days ride gives you plenty of opportunity to relax and unwind at the end of your trip.

Option 1 Distance 24km

Option 2 Distance 55km

Day 7

A optional rest day in Ronda to explore the historic old town, the arabic baths, city wall and many mueseums. Or time for some retail therapy and an opportunity to indulge, and why not after all the riding, at ´Chocolate´a fabulous cafe with an abundance of chocolate specialities! If you prefer we can add an additional days riding up into the hills above Ronda where you can sit and enjoy the views over the Serrania de Ronda. A great place to take a picnic too!

This optional rest day can be taken at the start or end of your trip.

Day 8

Time to pack those bags for the last time before we collect you for your flights home.

 

PRICE

The cost of your White Villages of Andalucia Tour, based on 8days/7nights, is 695 Euros per person based on two people sharing a room.

If you decide not to take the optional rest day then the cost would be, based on 7days/6nights 595 Euros per person based on two people sharing a room.

Bike Hire: 80 Euros per week for Hybrid bikes.

Airport Transfers (Optional) 60 Euros per person on a collection and return basis

ACCOMMODATION

Your accommodation on this White Villages of Andalucia point-to-point tour is in a combination of luxury 4 star hotels, traditional Spanish Cortijos (Farmhouses) and boutique hotels.

WHAT THE PRICE INCLUDES

1) Accommodation (based on two people sharing)
2) All breakfasts
3) Route notes and maps.
4) Daily 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 alcoholic 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 cycling tours are to 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 bikes are
1) no more than two years old
2) expertly serviced and maintained
3) have front and rear lights or reflectors
4) have 24 gears
5) waterproof map case on handlebars
6) comfy saddles
7) have pannier or saddlebags for carrying daytime essentials
8) straight handlebars
9) pump, puncture repair kit, spare inner tube & mini tool
10) 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.

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