Ronda, arrival
Whether you come by bus, train or car, you should try to get to this fabulous town as early as possible. Have a stroll, see the oldest bullfight ring of Spain, and the famous "Puente Nuevo" (New Bridge) and take some good wines and tapas.
Round tour from Ronda: white villages and a blue one! (48 km)
You can also choose a shorter route of 22 km to the Cat’s Cave or a route of about 37 km to the villages of Benaoján and Montejaque: Leaving Ronda towards the south you will cycle an amazing road route through the Serranía de Ronda and the Valle del Genal, with its large, dense extensions of chestnut trees making up what is known as Bosque de Cobre, an enchanted forest that embraces the almost pristine white villages, especially in autumn. You first climb up to almost 1100 meters altitude, then the mountain road winds fastly down to the beautiful white village of Alpandeire, and the next white village of Farraján, and then on to Júzcar. This last village is actually not white but blue since 2011, when the production company Sony Picture chose it to promote their film ‘The Smurfs’. It was then that Júzcar was completely transformed from one of the many white villages to the only blue village in Spain. After Juzcar another climb awaits you to get out of the valley Valle del Genal, and while you gain altitude you can enjoy the views over the dense chestnut forest and more white villages before you head back to Ronda. 900m ascends& descends
Ronda - Olvera (36 km)
We leave Ronda heading northwards and make for Setenil de las Bodegas, one of Andalusia's most surprising villages, a focal point of the Cádiz mountains white villages route. The people here made use of the gorge to build their houses. It is one of the finest examples of this type of architecture, which 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... We then follow the Trejo River and soon see the village of Olvera in the distance, with its typical church and 12th Century castle atop a hill.
Olvera - Puerto Serrano/Montellano (40/48 km)
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 removed the need for a railway; now 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. You cycle for 36 km along this greenway (no cars), passing the Peñon de Zaframagón (Nature reserve with one of Europes' 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 we enter! Follow the Guadalete River as far as Puerto Serrano, where the greenway finishes and where you sleep in a bungalow next to the old railway station, now a restaurant. Or you ride to the village Montellano, where you sleep in a 3-star hotel with swimming pool.
Puerto Serrano/Montellano - Arcos de la Frontera (42/50 km)
You leave the hotel and follow a narrow country lane, almost a cycle lane, surrounded by gentle rolling hills covered in sunflowers, cotton and vineyards. You will pass the bodega Regantío Viejo and continue on the same road to get finally to the white village of Arcos de la Frontera. This town is situated on cliffs high above a meander in the River Guadalete. This is a typical defensive hill village with cobbled 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.
Arcos de la Frontera - Jerez de la Frontera (41 km)
Leave Arcos de la Frontera through beautiful landscapes, pass the small village of Junta de los Ríos and you will follow a country road almost without any traffic until you arrive in the small and lively village La Barca de la Florida, where you can drink & eat something. The last 28 kilometers you will follow a road with a bit more traffic, which will lead you directly to your hotel in the center of Jerez. Your accommodation is in the historical center of Jerez
Jerez de la Frontera
Jerez is a beautiful town, which is worth a visit: for example the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art to see the training of the beautiful Andalusian horses for their “ballet” (daily visits on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (except for Fridays of August) from 10 to 14 (closed on bank holidays). Ask for the thematic visit, it will cost 8 €). And of course you can visit one of the many sherry bodegas. After breakfast, end of services, unless you have asked for an extra night. Bikes to be left at the hotel with all material. From Jerez you can take a train to Seville (about 1 hour) or Cádiz (only 40 minutes) to enjoy some more Andalusian culture and lifestyle. Jerez and Seville have their own airport. To Málaga airport is about 4 hours travel time from Jerez.
Peñon Zaframagón
Olvera
Ronda
