Spain – Andalusia White Villages Bike Tour

Arrival in Ronda on your own. Depending on your arrival time you can visit the famous bull arena (Spain’s oldest) with its small but very interesting bullfighting museum. There are spectacular views as you cross the old and iconic bridge over Ronda’s famous gorge, to take a stroll round Ronda’s old quarter. Then head down to the river to visit the 13th Century Arab Baths, some of the best conserved in Spain and Europe. Your personalized video-call orientation will be either tonight or tomorrow.

Note: To get to Ronda, there are 2 trains daily from Madrid (4 hours train ride) and there are also several buses from Málaga.

Overnight: Ronda

This morning starts with a short 10-15 minute walk to collect your bikes for your upcoming adventure! To try out the bikes, enjoy Ronda’s beautiful surroundings on a short loop ride to the small village of Benaoján. You will arrive to Cueva de Gato, an absolutely perfect place to have a picnic, and continue on to the train station of Benaoján. Here you can enjoy a drink in the bar called ‘STOP’ before taking the train back to Ronda. You may also cycle back to Ronda, making the total route 35 km / 22 mi long, with some good uphill coming back into town.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 14 km / 9 mi, +138 m / -429 m
Highlights: Benaoján loop ride, Cueva de Gato picnic
Overnight: Ronda

Leave Ronda heading north towards Setenil de las Bodegas, one of Andalusia’s most surprising little villages, and a focal point of the Cadiz mountains white villages’ route. The people here used the existing rock to build their houses. It is one of the finest examples of this type of architecture, which means instead of excavating into the rock, simply makes use of natural overhang, with the houses developed laterally along the rock face. Lose yourself in the village’s intimate corners and tapas bars… You then follow the Trejo River and soon see the village of Olvera in the distance, with its typical church and the 12th Century castle atop a hill.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 37 km / 23 mi, +618 m / -773 m
Highlights: Setenil de las Bodegas rock houses, Olvera castle
Overnight: Olvera

Olvera was originally to have been a stop on the Jerez-Malaga train line, but the line was never completed and the village went back to its business of producing olive oil. Eventually, new roads eliminated the need for a railway. Today, the railway has been given a new lease of life as one of the first Vías Verdes, or “greenways” (old re-conditioned railway lines), in Spain. Cycle for 36 km along this greenway (no cars), passing the Peñon de Zaframagón (nature reserve with Andalusia’s – and one of Europe’s – largest colonies of vultures). You pass through many tunnels (up to 30) – some up to 1 km in length – where lights come on automatically as soon as you enter! You follow the Guadalete River as far as Puerto Serrano, where the greenway finishes and where you sill spend the night in a rural lodging. You can have dinner in the old railway station, now converted into a restaurant. Or, ride to the village of Montellano, and sleep in a 3-star hotel with swimming pool.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 40 km / 25 mi, +462 m / -769 m
Highlights: greenway cycling, nature reserve
Overnight: Puerto Serrano or Montellano

Today starts from Puerto Serrano or Montellano, depending on your lodging. After breakfast, follow a narrow country lane, (almost a cycling lane) surrounded by gently rolling hills covered in sunflowers, cotton farms and vineyards. You will pass the winery Regantío Viejo and continue on the same road to reach the white village of Arcos de la Frontera. Arcos is situated on cliffs high above a meander in the River Guadalete. This is a typical defensive hill village with cobbled-stoned streets leading up to a castle, built in the 15th Century on Moorish foundations. The view from the castle and village is staggering. You will stay in a hotel in the historical centre of Arcos.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 42-52 km / 26-32 mi, +578 m / -663 m
Highlights: countryside cycling, Arcos & castle
Overnight: Arcos

Today you will leave Arcos de la Frontera and cycle through typical Andalusian agricultural landscapes. You will pass the small village of Junta de los Ríos and follow a country road with barely any traffic until you get to the small and lively village of La Barca de la Florida, where you stop to eat and drink something. For the last 28 kilometers, follow a road with a bit more traffic, which will lead you directly to your hotel in the center of Jerez, a beautiful town worth a visit. For example, at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art to see the training of the beautiful Andalusian horses for their “ballet”. Try to arrive in Jerez on a Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday so you can see the show the next morning and ask for the thematic visit. (Cost is 8 Euros, advance booking required as it is a popular attraction). There are no visits on Fridays in August and on bank holidays. Additionally, you can visit one of the many sherry bodegas in this area. Your accommodation is historically located in the historical center of Jerez.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 42 km / 26 mi, +313 m / -430 m
Highlights: La Barca de la Florida, Andalusian horses, sherry tasting
Overnight: Jerez

You start today by cycling through the town of Jerez. Then the ride to El Puerto de Santa María is short (around 28 km) but instead of the busy asphalt roads, you will go by agricultural paths (so a little bumpy but worth it!) to show you where the grapes are grown for the region’s famous brandy and sherry. Afterwards, if you feel up to a bit more cycling on flat terrain, you can do the ride through the beautiful Bay of Cadiz, passing marshes, salt-flats and Mediterranean pine forests; or take the boat to Cadiz to visit this delightful city, which is so different to other Andalusian cities. Your hotel is perfectly located in the centre of the village, very close to its famous fish market.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 26 km / 16 mi (+ optional 25 km / 15 mi), +226 m / -272 m
Highlights: Jerez, vineyards, Bay of Cadiz, fish market
Overnight: El Puerto de Santa Maria

Today our planned services end unless you have asked for an extra night or continued arrangements. Bikes are to be left at the hotel. After breakfast, you can go either by bus or train to Cordoba, Cadiz, Malaga, Seville or Madrid.

Meals: breakfast