Day 1 – Malaga Airport to Zahara de la Sierra - 40km

The tour begins with a morning pick-up from Malaga Airport or a central city location. We begin by driving 1h30min where we leave the coast for the impressive inland mountains around Ronda ‘Serrania de Ronda’. With about 40km to our destination we will park the van and set up the bikes. Day 1 includes an introductory ride to make sure everyone is comfortably set-up on their bikes. As you ride along quiet country roads you will be amazed when the town of ‘Zahara de la Sierra’ and its hill-top Arabic castle appears and guides us to the door of our accommodation for the next 3 nights.


 
Sleep:   Zahara de la Sierra
Meals:  Dinner provided

Day 2 – Puerto de las Palomas, Zahara de la Sierra - 60/75km

Starting from the quaint town of Zahara we head towards the dam wall for some early warm-up kilometres.  After a 15 km warm-up we turn off onto a mountain road which presents us with a 12km long climb called ‘Puerto de las Palomas’ (Pass of the Doves). This is a classic Spanish climb which is well known as being one of the most scenic ascents of southern Spain. Not to mention a Category 1 climb of the professional cycling race ‘La Vuelta a Espana’. Towards the peak we encounter a number of amazing switchbacks which provide fantastic views. After reaching the top, we descend quickly through small mountain villages before reuniting ourselves with the turquoise reservoir waters. Today has been your first glimpse of the Sierras de Grazalema natural park which you are sure to remember fondly for the rest of your cycling days.  


 
Sleep:    Zahara de la Sierra
Meals:   Breakfast / Lunch provided

Day 3 – Puerto del Boyar, Zahara de la Sierra - 55/70km

This morning we head west and in such a short distance the mountains and turquoise waters change to cattle country. These dry yellow-brown rolling hills offer an incredible contrast to the second part of today’s climb which rises up through some beautiful Mediterranean forest. The challenging mountain climb is called ‘Puerto del Boyar’ and is a Category 2 climb straight from ‘La Vuelta a Espana’ cycling race. After enjoying the view from the lookout we begin our descent and find a back road to the top of the Category 1 ‘Palomas’ climb from Day 2. Descending the ‘Palomas’ is truly one of the best downhill cycling experiences possible. The switchbacks which felt so difficult the day before are now whizzing by as if they don’t even exist. 

Sleep:   Zahara de la Sierra
Meals:  Breakfast / Dinner provided

Day 4 – El Bosque to Ronda - 70km

After a short 30 minutes in the car we begin our stage of cycling which will take us into Ronda and to the door of our accommodation. The initial climb today looks easier on paper then those conquered on Days 2 & 3 but the accumulation in the legs will still make today a good test! Following the first climb we arrive at a country back road with many short undulations. The local Spanish cyclists use this region to train ‘rompe piernas’ (breaking legs) as they burst through the terrain! The final section of the stage weaves through shaded woodland and down into limestone cave country. After a short uphill effort we arrive in Ronda which is home for the next 3 nights.  During the afternoon we will visit Ronda which is referred to by many as the jewel of Andalucia (southern Spain) for its open-air museum ambience.



Sleep:  Ronda
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner provided

Day 5 – Ronda to El Chorro  - 90km

Today we set off from the edge of Ronda and make our way around the northern boundary of the Sierra de las Nieves natural park. The ride includes very scenic ascents and correspondingly exciting descents. The finale of this stage takes in one of Spain´s most interesting geographical features, the Garganta del Chorro, an awesome gaping chasm in the mountain.  From El Chorro we are only a few kilometres away from the Malaga lakes district where there will be time for an enjoyable lunch and swim. After a relaxing afternoon spent in this southern oasis we will return by vehicle to Ronda which is a 1hr drive.















Sleep:  Ronda
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch provided

Day 6 – Serrania de Ronda - 80km

Leaving the town centre and today we roll back down into the limestone cave country which surrounds the Ronda region. As we cycle some beautiful back roads we find ourselves in the heart of the ‘Serrania de Ronda’. Here we are following the route of the white-washed villages. Our test for today is an 11km climb which rises at approximately 5% and affords excellent views from above. We finish our ride by cycling into Ronda from its historic southern entrance. The cobble stone paved road winds its way up through the old town before arriving to ‘Puente Nuevo’ (New Bridge) which spans the impressive gorge.
















Sleep:  Ronda
Meals: Breakfast provided

Day 7 – Ronda to Marbella, Costa del Sol - 90km

This is a great ride taking you along the backroads which separate the inland mountains to the coast (Costa del Sol). What better way to complete your cycling odyssey then to jump on the bike and arrive to the Mediterranean Sea under your own steam.  Some initial kilometres of work finish with a 10km descent down to the thriving coastal city of Marbella. In Marbella we will enjoy a great meal feasting on the local fish and a walk around the old city. 
















Sleep:  Marbella
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner provided