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Embark on a guided road cycling holiday in the Spanish region of Andalucia. This week-long tour explores the captivating Los Pueblos Blancos areas, where you'll pedal through rugged Mediterranean landscapes tamed by rich culture and heritage of the region. Highlights include Ronda, Grazalema, and Los Alcornocales Natural Park, riding through olive groves, enjoying traditional cuisine, and exploring charming white towns and villages. Expert guides, authentic accommodation, support vehicle, and most meals are included, providing an unforgettable experience for cycling enthusiasts looking to discover the beauty of Andalucia.
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You’ll be transferred to your first night’s accommodation in the hill-top white village of Medina Sidonia. This is the oldest city in Europe, founded by the Phoenicians. Today it’s a fascinating labyrinth of narrow lanes and whitewash, topped by a Roman archaeological complex. You’ll have time to unpack and unwind before your first evening dinner. Your bikes will be built on arrival and checked to make sure everything is fully functioning. Anyone renting will be fitted to their rental bike.
Meals: Dinner
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Today we start with a route into Los Alcornocales Natural Park, the largest cork oak forest in Europe, described as Europe’s last real wilderness area. You may see wild boar and deer with griffon vultures and eagles soaring overhead. The road climbs past the peaks of Picacho and Aljibe before undulating on high ground offering great views down towards Jerez. From the pass, you’ll take a long sweeping undulating ridge road through stone pines and cork oaks, with glimpses of vast limestone peaks to our north. The route descends down through the lush Hozgarganta river valley on an almost traffic-free road that drops, then climbs, and then descends dramatically down to the village of El Colmenar, a cork-cutters village hidden in the park next to the Guadiaro River. The accommodation for the evening is a beautiful casa rural, nestled by the river.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Cycling: 59 miles / 95 km
Ascent: 5,577 ft / 1,700 m
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After breakfast, you’ll ascend to Gaucin, a medieval white village crowned by a 13th century castle, offering panoramic views from its lofty ridge. The road then follows the ridge, revealing picturesque Moorish villages with cozy bars and restaurants. In the afternoon, marvel at stunning mountain scenery and pass through the most beautiful white villages in Serrania. Stay overnight at Juzcar, a preserved village inn known for its role as the Smurfs’ hometown in a 2011 film. Visit the mid-18th century tin factory if you have the energy before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Cycling: 35 miles / 57 km
Ascent: 4,757 ft / 1,450 m
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Today you’ll pedal past Los Riscos, marvel at weather-sculpted rock formations, and climb out of the Genal valley. White villages, chestnut trees, and autumn colors surround us. The road winds through shattered limestone mountains and cliffs. Pujerra offers a pretty square for our picnic lunch. Your group will traverse, climb a limestone gorge, and pass wheat fields, pine forests, and craggy mountain sides. Descend through vineyards to beautiful Ronda, a delightful town with medieval lanes, museums, and terraces. Enjoy Moorish architecture, breathtaking views of the Tajo gorge, and Andaluz charm.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Cycling: 39 miles / 63 km
Ascent: 3,610 ft / 1,100 m
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You’ll head into the heart of Grazalema, one of the most attractive parts of the tour, for an amazing day on the bike. Descend into the Gaudiaro river valley, passing the Cueva del Gata cave mouth, then climb up a narrow valley past olive and almond groves. Enjoy a beautiful descent to the Zahara-Gastor reservoir and ride along the waters’ edge to the beautiful hillside village of Zahara de la Sierra. The climb to come is probably the climb of the week, with stunning views of the Green Canyon along the way. After a well-deserved rest at Puerto de las Palomas, you’ll be able to spot Grazalema below Penon Grande and San Cristobal peaks.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Cycling: 39 miles / 62 km
Ascent: 5,740 ft / 1,750 m
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The final day begins with a climb to Boyar Pass, offering terrific views of the valley and Salto del Cabrero. The descent to El Bosque is exhilarating, passing Benamahoma and the pine-covered Albarracin range. Resting in El Bosque, you’ll continue through rolling farmland to Guadalcacin Reservoir and the pretty village of Algar. Heading northwest, your group will wind along the waters’ edge to Arcos de la Frontera, a dramatic white village perched atop a limestone ridge. The old town, declared a national monument, features cobbled streets leading to Castillo de los Arcos, providing breathtaking views over the town and plain below. Finally, climb to admire the dramatic views of Bornos lake before celebrating with a cerveza!
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Cycling: 37 miles / 60 km
Ascent: 3,280 ft / 1,000 m
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Today you’ll have an early departure from the hotel, but hopefully there’ll be time to enjoy a last café con leche before your journey back to Malaga. Say goodbye to your guide, fellow cyclists and to Spain—oe continue touring on your own!
Meals: Breakfast
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What you get on this adventure:
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- An experienced cycling guide with extensive local knowledge of the area
- 7-day cycling holiday in Andalucia
- Accommodation in ensuite rooms based on double occupancy (single rooms available for an additional fee)
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (breakfasts and lunches during riding days)
- Support vehicle and luggage transfers
- Airport transfers on scheduled arrival/departure days (from Malaga)
- At least one leader qualified in first aid
Bike and helmet rentals are available for an added fee of $250.
What’s not included:
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- Transportation to and from Malaga
- Accommodation before and after the adventure (if applicable)
- Bike hire (available for an additional fee, e-bikes NOT available)
- Dinners (so that you can eat out in typical Spanish restaurants!)
- Any personal expenditure
- Personal clothing and equipment
- Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route
- Travel insurance — recommended
- Guide gratuities — optional
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For this Andalucia guided cycling trip, you have to be reasonably fit. This adventure is suitable for cyclists who regularly ride at weekends and have no problem staying on their bike for several hours at a time. You should be comfortable with an occasional challenging climb and have good control of your bike and feel confident in your skills to ascend and descend safely. That said, this Andalucia guided tour is most suitable for cyclists who are looking forward to the social aspect of cycling and experiencing the culture and cuisine as much as to the actual cycling. Your cycling experience should be sufficient for you to be able to cross between 40 and 60 miles (70-90 km) 5 days in a row, with daily elevation gains of up to 5,700 ft (1,700 m).
Keep in mind that you will regularly take breaks. Your guide will always be by your side, monitor your technique, push you to give your maximum, and potentially even change the route if it gets too strenuous for your group.
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Here’s what you’ll need:
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- Comfortable riding or athletic clothing, preferably moisture wicking or synthetic material
- Sneakers or sport shoes
- Breathable outside layer or jacket
- Sunglasses
- Water bottles or hydration bladder
- Daypack large enough for everything you might need in a day
- Biking gloves are optional but recommended
- Casual clothes to wear when you’re not cycling
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
You’ll get a chance to discuss the clothing and personal equipment with your guide prior to your adventure. Even though this adventure takes place in fall/winter, day temperatures in Andalucia are usually mild and there’s usually very little rainfall. However, you will have to be prepared for various weather conditions.
Bike rentals aren’t included in the price of the trip, but are available for an additional fee. E-bike rental is not offered at the moment.
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Straying away from impersonable chain hotels, the accommodation you can expect during this cycling adventure in Andalucia always comes with a unique touch (and traditional Spanish breakfasts!) You’ll stay at handpicked family-run hotels and guesthouses overflowing with charm and homey atmosphere, usually in small white towns and villages—worlds away from crowded coastal resorts. Lodging is based on double occupancy in en suite rooms, but you can opt for single rooms for an additional fee.
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Group sizes and prices:
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- The client-to-guide ration for this group tour is usually 6:1.
- The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
Cycling in Andalucia can be arranged for bigger and for private groups with the choice of custom dates. Contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
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- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- If you have a young rider strong enough to handle sustained climbs (either riding or walking their bike) of hundreds of feet then they may be able to participate on a case-by-case basis.
If your group has riders under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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To get to Malaga, the starting point of the trip, most people fly into Malaga Airport. You will meet your Andalucia cycling guide and fellow cyclists upon arrival. From there, you will get transferred to your first night’s accommodation in the village of Medina Sidonia.
If you arrive before day 1, we suggest you book accommodation somewhere near the airport and meet your guide the next day.
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57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Spanish region of Andalucia, please refer to requirements for travel to Spain.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
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