Andalusia is perhaps best described as an area of enchanting and extraordinarily varied scenery. This challenging ride crosses Andalucia from east to west on minor roads chosen specially for their lack of traffic. You are more likely to be held up by a herd of goats jamming the narrow lanes than by cars! You will be riding through Sierra country, and the majority of the route is taken through gently rolling hills, avoiding steep climbs over mountain passes wherever possible.
Traveling on horseback through Andalusia in 1750, Etienne de Silhouette described this area as "the best part of all Spain, the most fertile, the richest, in short, the one in which all of Nature’s gifts have been distributed". Landscapes apart, Andalusia is also one of the great melting-pots of the Mediterranean. It is the westernmost meeting-place of the pre-historic migrants from the Greek islands and later the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans. Later, and more significantly, came great waves of Muslim invaders - Moors and Berbers from Morocco, the last of the Omayyads from Damascus, and other Arabs from Syria. Their kingdom, "Al-Andalus", lasted over 700 years, leaving a rich cultural heritage and distinctive traditions which we still see today.
On this journey, you will be staying overnight in villages that have a distinctive Moorish character. You can explore minarets of old mosques scarcely disguised as spires on baroque and gothic churches, Mudejar arches, jasmine-scented courtyards and castellated fortresses. The rural charm of this fascinating region is further enhanced by abundant waves and greetings from the friendly descendants of such a cosmopolitan past, making this a wonderful exploration and a rewarding opportunity for active relaxing!
2008 Guided Dates: Feb 23-Mar 1; Mar 29-Apr 5; Oct 11-18; Nov 9-16
Contact us for new additions. Custom groups any time.
Tour starts: Parador Malaga Gibralfaro Hotel for transfer to Granada, 14:00 day 1 and finish at Parador Arcos de la Frontera, Ronda, transfer back to Malaga airport, mid-day, day 7. Route Notes: Moderate to challenging terrain on quiet country roads. The route has been designed to avoid steep mountainous climbs. Be prepared for challenging ascents and fun descents through the foothills of this mountainous region.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Meet in Malaga for transfer to Granada. The adventure begins with at 14:00 pick up in Malaga. A short drive will land you at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Granada where you will be introduced to your bicycle and have a chance to explore Granada before dinner. You will visit the famous Alhambra (Arab Palace) and take a walk through the silk markets or the Moorish neighborhood of Albayzin. Lodging: Parador de Granada or 16th Century Hotel El Ladron de Agua, Granada.
Day 2: 61 miles/98km. A good warm-up ride over rolling hills after a brief transfer to the small town of La Malaha. Ride along the banks of Lake Bermejales, (where you can swim in crystal clear waters). You will pass through several small villages on your way to Alhama de Granada, once a very important town in the Nasrid Kingdom, now famous for its thermal baths. You may visit the original cistern where the healing water has been collected for centuries. You might even choose to have a bath yourself. Alhama was built in the Caliphate style on a Roman foundation. Lodging: Casa Rural Cantueso, Periana.
Day 3: 37 miles/59km with optional extras up to 45 miles (70km). Climb from the small farming towns of Ventas de Zafarraya, to Puerto de los Alazores, a high mountain pass framed by limestone peaks, followed by a rolling downhill ride through a landscape pitted with rocky gulches, streams and olive trees, toward the market town of Archidona, famous for its octagonal town plaza. From there, ride, optionally, through easy rolling farmland towards Fuente de Piedra, home to Europe's largest colony of flamingoes. Last year, more than 10,000 breeding pairs were recorded. With luck, you will see the magnificent sight of these exotic birds feeding in the natural salt lake they make their home. Many other species are also commonly seen during your picnic by the lake. Tonight is spent in medieval Antequera - one of Andalucia's architectural showpieces. An optional guided walking tour of the town will give you the chance of visiting the myriad gothic, baroque and renaissance monasteries and churches. Lodging: Casa del Conde de Pinofiel, Antequera.
Day 4: 35 miles/55km. Leaving Antequera, the scenery changes dramatically. Follow a remote road below towering, vulture and eagle-guarded peaks of the Sierra de Torcal, on the way to the visual feast of the Ardales Natural Park. Enormous lakeland vistas, pine forests and exotic birdlife provide a charming background for your lakeshore picnic lunch and swim. Finkish at your hotel near the 'Camino del Rey' with its impossibly built path snaking along the wall of the limestone gorge. Optional evening ride around the lakes, including the Kings walk suspended above the river. Lodging: La Posada del Conde, El Chorro, Ardales.
Day 5: 35 miles/57km. Today's ride takes you on a hilly road above the waters of the crystal clear Rio Turon, through remote countryside. Stop for a picnic lunch at a viewpoint overlooking the Sierra de las Nieves, whose peaks are often dusted with snow through much of the winter. This is a UNESCO protected biosphere reserve. Afternoon ride through the fabled Sierras de Ronda, famed for resisting both the Moors and the Christians in their time. From Puerto del Viento, ride downhill all the way to the panoramic town of Ronda, legendary for bull fighting, bandits and smugglers, and a highlight of this adventure. The views are spectacular, and it is well worth spending the evening exploring the charms of Ronda's backstreets and the famous bridge spanning the gorge. Lodging: Parador Ronda or Hotel En Frente Arte or Hotel Maestranza, Ronda.
Day 6: 51 miles/82km. Today’s ride takes you into what is considered one of Spain's finest wilderness areas, the Sierra de Grazalerna Nature reserve. Classified with a high conservation rating, the wealth of plant life and woodland is surprising! Overhead are golden eagles, vultures and buzzards, and deer bound across the roads. Stop for lunch in the pretty town of Grazalema and visit the carpet-making workshops where they still use old wooden looms. You may be tempted to use the support vehicle after lunch as the road twists and turns steeply up to Puerto de Boyar, but the 15km downhill to El Bosque, overlooking a delightful trout stream, is sheer joy. From there, it is only 30km to your parador for the night. Fortress Arcos de la Frontera - the gateway between the sierras and the plains - looms on its cliff top perch. You can ride up into narrow twisting streets along the Moorish-inspired architecture, to finish with a refreshment on your terrace with splendid views over the Guadalquivir Plains. Lodging: Parador Arcos de la Frontera.
Day 7: Up to 60 miles/100km. Today's ride takes you across the watershed of the Grazalema Sierras and through the northern edge of the Alcornocales Nature Reserve, one of Europe‘s largest forests. Follow a twisting road by lakes, through valleys of eucalyptus and palms, and over hills forested with cork oaks. Your lakeside picnic, on a typically warm Andalucia day, should follow or finish with a beautiful swim. Afterward, see how far you can ride toward the coast near Gibraltar before we pick you up to transfer you to your fabulous parador in Malaga for a final feast together (guided trips only). Lodging: Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro or Parador de Malaga Golf, Malaga;
Day 8: Relaxed breakfast and farewells.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Guided Cost: $3695 (per person, 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, most picnic lunches, 5 dinners, luggage handling, guide & van support, maps & route notes)
Self-guided Call for prices.
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Bicycle Touring
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