| Andalusia,
in the south of Spain, is a region full of diversity. Centuries of domination
by the Moors in this region have left their tracks. White villages are sporadically
scattered among the green hills. Valleys cut through the 'Sierras', the massive
mountains taking over the region. You'll cycle over tranquil roads, alongside
cork oaks, through pine trees and river valleys or over farmlands. The tours have
fairly short stretches, with an occasional steep climb here and there. Without
too much difficulty you should be able to arrive at your final destination before
'siesta' time. |
Ref:
Sp/c/1.1/CYT Unguided
8 days / 7 nights
Daily, May untill October
Travel
dates:
Every Saturday from April to mid-June and mid-August to end
of October.
You'll
always be spending the night in the impressive 'white villages'. Grazalema houses
a gorgeous square perfect for lounging after one of the routes. El Bosque is true
to its name: it is situated in the middle of extensive woods. Zahara lies dreamily
against a hill. A castle from the Middle Ages sits at the top and looks out over
the village and its wide surroundings. Meanwhile Setenil, one of the best-kept
secrets in Andalusia, lies tucked away in a narrow rift, where a large number
of its residents live in cave-dwellings. And of course there's Ronda, with its
protected town view and a spectacular location. At almost all of the starting
points, you'll find a swimming pool. During
the first stretch, you'll knife your way through the valley of Rio Guardiaro.
Thereafter you'll cycle uphill past the cork oaks to Grazalema, visible already
from a distance. For the truly energized cyclists, high up above this village
awaits yet 2 mountain passes. The following stretch brings you into a forest-rich
region. Chances are good you'll witness some vultures circling overhead. The birds
nest in the inaccessible cliffs of a nature park. Following the nature reserve,
the route heads in the direction of the intimate village of Benamahoma, hidden
in a green valley, where the water gushes out of the many springs. There is also
a water museum in an old watermill. The
stretch to Zahara is short, but still quite steep since the road meanders constantly
up and down green hills. Additional traffic will scarcely be encountered here.
However, the less traffic you see, the more bulls you're likely to encounter safely
behind a fence. After leaving Rio Guadalete far behind you, you'll already see
Zahara off in the distance. After three days of cycling, you'll have earned the
day of rest in this breathtaking white village. But for those of you who can't
let the bike rest, the climb to the Paloma Pas with its many twisting turns makes
for an inviting option. The
stretch to Setenil is very diverse. First, you'll cycle over old railroad tracks
now converted into bike paths. The trajectory runs slightly uphill towards Olvera,
every now and then through a tunnel. The castle and church of Olvera tower high
above this white city. Continuing on, you'll cycle into the ever-narrowing valley
of Rio Trejo, till you reach Setenil through a narrow cliff. At one of the outdoor
cafés, you can decide if you would like to risk taking the climb to Ronda
la Vieja, a theater from Roman times. The castle stretch will take you through
olive gardens back to Ronda. DAY-TO-DAY
PROGRAM 1
Arrival in Malaga, transfer to Ronda 2
Ronda - Grazalema, 43 km 3
Grazalema - El Bosque, 51 km 4
El Bosque - Zahara, 32 km 5
Zahara, day off 6
Zahara - Setenil, 55 km 7
Setenil - Ronda, 34 km 8
Transfer Ronda - Malaga, and departure INCLUDED
- 7 nights in hotels
based on 2-person rooms with shower or bath and toilet
-
all breakfasts and 2 x dinners
-
transporting of luggage
- detailed
descriptions of routes
- transfers
from/to airport in Malaga
- 24-speed
bicycle
TOUR
PRICES
Contact
info@bikeandhike.co.za
for rates and specials.
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