Andalusia – White Villages of Andalusia

Fly into Malaga or Granada airports and make your way to Granada. If you have time visit this wonderful city and maybe the Alhambra Palace (pre-booking tickets suggested). If you arrive later then it is recommended to take an extra night to explore the city on a free day.

Today’s cycle ride takes you from Granada to Alhama de Granada. You cycle over smooth hillocks and through small villages to Alhama, once a very important town in the Nasrid Kingdom, now famous for its thermal baths. You can see the original cistern where its hot water, with medicinal properties, has been collected since times gone by. It is built on a Roman foundation and crowned by Moorish arches in the Caliphate style. You can have a bath yourself in “El baño de la Reina” (Queens’ bath).

You leave Alhama and cycle to the “Boquete (gap) de Zafarraya”, a strange chasm in the otherwise impenetrable mountains. You are now in the Axarquía region, with views of undulating hills and mountains south towards the Mediterranean. Follow a disused railway line in continuous descent to the town of Periana, and from there you continue climbing through the mountains with beautiful views of the villages.

Today you cycle up and down through the Axarquia and its villages. A good climb (off-road) brings you closer to the El Torcal Nature Reserve with its limestone mountains. Then you head down fast to Antequera, approaching this ancient town by its oldest and beautiful route of access, enjoying beautiful views of its white-washed houses and the Peña de los Enamorados (Lover’s Rock), named after a local legend about the impossible love of a young Christian man and a beautiful Moorish girl, driven to the top of the cliff by the Moorish soldiers. Rather than renounce their love, they chose to hurl themselves into the abyss.

In the morning you have some time to visit Antequera, the castle, the dolmens (megalithic tombs) of Menga, Viera and Romeral, the “Iglesia de Carmen” and much more. Afterwards, you cycle over smooth hills through Holm oaks and olive groves, passing the Abdalajís Valley and its village, to El Chorro, a beautiful spot next to a lake, surrounded by mountains.

NOTE: You can book an optional extra night here so you can walk the Caminito del Rey www.caminitodelrey.info

Today the biking will be a bit more challenging, although all on a tarmac road. You start with a beautiful ride through a strange, lunar landscape to the villages of Ardales and El Burgo. Then you have to climb to the Puerto de los Vientos (Mountain pass of the Winds, 1190m), crossing the beautiful Sierra de las Nieves Nature Reserve. A long descent will bring you finally to the lively town of Ronda.

Today there might still be time to explore Ronda before departing or you may wish to book an extra night to relax and explore on a free day.