Ronda and the Sierra de Grazalema by Bike
7 Days Starting and ending in Ronda, Spain
Visiting: Ronda, Setenil de las Bodegas, Zahara de la Sierra, Grazalema, Grazalema mountains
Tour operator:
Tour code:
RGC
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
18-80
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable cycling adventure through the stunning landscapes of southern Spain with the "Ronda and the Sierra de Grazalema by Bike" tour. This self-guided journey takes you through the gently rolling hills and unspoilt countryside of the Sierra de Grazalema, dotted with charming whitewashed villages known as "pueblos blancos." Explore the historical town of Ronda, with its captivating blend of Moorish and European monuments, and ascend to the cliff-perched Setenil de las Bodegas. Cycle through picturesque villages to the hilltop Zahara de la Sierra, visit Benaocaz with its ancient Roman Road sections, and cross Spain's largest cork oak reserve. Enjoy the comfort of specially chosen hotels, savor local specialties, and navigate with ease using a digital information pack. This tour promises a perfect blend of cultural exploration and active adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Ronda
Location: Ronda
Accommodation Name: hotel
Make your own way to the hotel in Ronda, a major historical town in Andalucía's "pueblos blancos".
Day 2 : Ascend To Setenil De Las Bodegas, Continue To The Pretty Village Of Olvera (37Km/23Mi)
Location: Setenil de las Bodegas
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
A lovely route for your first day of cycling. You'll ascend to Setenil de las Bodegas, perched on rocky cliffs overlooking the River Guadalporcun. You then cycle by way of Arriate and Torre Alhaquime to reach the pretty village of Olvera, surrounded by open farmland and vast olive orchards.
Ascent: 450m
Day 3 : Cycle Through Whitewashed Villages To The Hilltop Zahara De La Sierra (49Km/30.5Mi)
Location: Zahara de la Sierra
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today's route follows narrow tarmac roads through farmland, to reach the town of Algodonales. There's a lovely contrast of white-washed buildings among a variety of earth tones. Zahara de la Sierra is another magnificently-situated cliff-top village.
Ascent: 500m
Day 4 : Ascend To Grazalema And On To Benaocaz With Its Moorish Town Centre (41Km/25.5Mi)
Location: Grazalema
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you do a tough ascent of 470m to reach Grazalema, then cycle onward to Benaocaz, where you come upon ancient sections of a Roman Road. The historical town centre is of Moorish origin, with a church built on the site of a former mosque.
Ascent: 500m
Day 5 : Via Ubrique, Around The Grazalema Mountains To Jimera De Libar, Train To Benaojan (41Km/25.5Mi)
Location: Grazalema mountains
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
First you descend to the town of Ubrique, the largest of all white villages with many bars, restaurants and shops. You'll then start to climb along a quiet interior road and cross the largest cork oak reserve of Spain as you cycle around the central massif of the Grazalema mountains. Enjoy magnificent views while you cycle down into the green valley of the river Guadario. You barely have to move your feet for 10km, before you arrive at the train station in Jimera de Líbar. Here you take the train with your bike to Benaojan and 5 minutes later you reach Benaojan and your cosy rural hotel.
Ascent: 500m
Day 6 : Cycle Aross The 'Encinas Borrachas' Pass To Ronda (26 Or 15Km/16 Or 9Mi)
Location: Ronda
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This part of the trip takes you back to Ronda by way of the "Encinas Borrachas" pass (1000m), on the road from Gaucín to Ronda. It's a very scenic route and quiet short, but you'll have to do 2 ascents of 350m. Your reward is a long descent to Ronda and a grand entrance across the town's spectacular bridge. If you prefer to skip the long ascents, you can travel with your bike by train to Ronda.
Ascents: 800 or 400m
Day 7 : Trip Concludes
Location: Ronda
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your trip concludes this morning after breakfast. We can book extra nights in Ronda if you'd like to spend more time here, please ask for our rates.
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights hotel. The accommodation on this trip is a real highlight. The simple but personal hotels have been specially chosen for their character and location. Each of the owners are passionate about their region and usually have special restaurants to sample local specialties.
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6 breakfasts
These are usually continental style consisting of bread, cheeses, meats, yoghurt, juice, tea, and coffee.
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6 nights in 2-3 star hotels and B&Bs
Accommodation on a twin-share basis with private facilities.
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24 speed high quality rental bike
E-bike available on request with a supplement.
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Luggage Transfer
1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess.
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Digital information pack
Includes smartphone app with maps, roadbook, and GPS Tracks.
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Emergency hotline
Access to an emergency hotline for assistance.
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Travel during the trip
Travel to and from Ronda is included. During the trip, you will cycle through various routes and take a train with your bike from Jimera de Líbar to Benaojan.
What's Not Included
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Travel to and from Ronda
Travel arrangements to and from Ronda are not included.
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Meals not listed as included
Lunches, dinners, and drinks are not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory but not included.
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Helmet
Bring your own helmet, or rental is available on request but payable locally (allow EUR 6pp).
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E-bike hire
E-bike hire is available with a supplement.
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Guide
This is a self-guided cycling holiday.
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Solo traveler supplement
A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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Entrance fees
Entrance fees not listed as included are excluded.
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Transfers
Transfers not listed as included are excluded.
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Transfers by taxi or public transport
If you need to skip a stage, transfers by taxi or public transport are not included.
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Excess Luggage
Supplement applies for excess luggage.
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Handlebar phone holder
To follow the route more easily using the app/GPX files.
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Hotel taxes
Hotel taxes, if applicable, are payable directly to the hotel.
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Items of a personal nature
Personal items are not included.
Grading
MODERATE to CHALLENGING – GRADE 4
The cycling takes place in the Sierra de Grazalema mountain range and accordingly the route is undulating with ascents of between 400m and 800m each day. Some sections are quite steep. The average daily stages of 26-49km / 16-30mi ) are achievable for anyone of good to excellent cycling fitness, or if taking an electric bike, a reasonable level of fitness is required. The route is mainly on tarmac mountain roads and is easy to navigate with the App. There is minimal traffic on the route but you will need to be comfortable cycling with traffic in towns such as Ronda. As with all of our trips it is important that you are well prepared. We suggest that you undertake regular exercise – swimming, cycling, and jogging, two to three times a week for three months prior to your departure.
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
Mode of Transport
Travel to and from Ronda is included. During the trip, you will cycle through various routes and take a train with your bike from Jimera de Líbar to Benaojan.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in simple but personal hotels that have been specially chosen for their character and location. The owners are passionate about their region and usually have special restaurants where you can sample local specialties. Accommodation is on a twin-share basis with private facilities.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 6 breakfasts, which are usually continental style consisting of bread, cheeses, meats, yoghurt, juice, tea, and coffee. Lunches, dinners, and drinks are not included.
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Is luggage transfer provided during the tour?
Yes, luggage transfer is provided. You can transfer one piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 20kg. A supplement applies for excess luggage.
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What kind of bike will be provided for the tour?
A 24-speed high-quality rental bike is provided. An e-bike is available on request with a supplement.
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Is there any support available in case of emergencies during the tour?
Yes, you will have access to an emergency hotline for assistance during the tour.
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What should I carry during the cycling days?
During the cycle day, you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone, and water. A small daypack that can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
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What is the difficulty level of the cycling routes?
The tour is graded as moderate to challenging. The cycling takes place in the Sierra de Grazalema mountain range, with ascents of between 400m and 800m each day. Some sections are quite steep. The average daily stages are 26-49km (16-30mi), which are achievable for anyone with good to excellent cycling fitness. If taking an electric bike, a reasonable level of fitness is required.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour price?
Yes, additional costs not included in the tour price are travel to and from Ronda, meals not listed as included, travel insurance, helmet rental, e-bike hire, guide services, solo traveler supplement, entrance fees not listed as included, transfers not listed as included, transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage, excess luggage, handlebar phone holder, hotel taxes, and items of a personal nature.
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What kind of roads will we be cycling on?
The route is mainly on tarmac mountain roads and is easy to navigate with the provided app. There is minimal traffic on the route, but you will need to be comfortable cycling with traffic in towns such as Ronda.
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Is it possible to skip the long ascents on the last day of cycling?
Yes, if you prefer to skip the long ascents on the last day, you can travel with your bike by train to Ronda.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.