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Villages of the SierraThe Grazalema Sierra & its pueblos blancos
Andalucia, Spain’s dazzling ‘deep south’, is one of Europe’s most entrancing regions. Brilliant pueblos blancos (white towns and villages) dot a landscape of rugged mountains clothed in the remnants of ancient oak forests. The area is ideal for exploring by bike, with quiet mountain roads contouring the hills, inviting vías verdes (disused railway tracks) that take you through the heart of the mountains, and winding country lanes that offer incredible views as well as the opportunity to spot Bonelli’s eagles and griffon vultures gliding through the skies. Our fascinating route skirts the rugged, but beautiful, Grazalema Sierra, starting and finishing in the most famous pueblo blanco of all, Ronda, and taking in another seven along the way as you explore varied landscapes of rolling hills, lowland plains and limestone ridges. Nights: 6
Starting point: Hotel San Gabriel (3*), Ronda. Situated in a quiet part of the old town, the Arnal family's hotel is a real find, with exquisite bedrooms and public rooms. Breakfast only is included, leaving you free to take your pick of the restaurants in the town using our recommendations as a guide. Day 1: spend the morning exploring the spectacularly located white town of Ronda. A lively place with a history stretching back through Roman and Moorish times, it sits high above a deep river gorge, with sights that include an Arab bathhouse and Spain’s oldest bullring. If you wish to stretch your legs, we provide notes for a short walk that descends to the bottom of the gorge and leads around the base of the towering cliffs. When you are ready, you collect your bikes and set off on an undulating half-day ride that heads into the foothills of the Grazalema Sierra. You pass through the sleepy whitewashed towns of Montejaque and Benaoján where you will find excellent opportunities for a late lunch. (24km)
Accommodation: Cortijo las Piletas (rural hotel), Montejaque. This pretty converted farmstead is set around cobbled courtyards. You usually dine at the hotel except on Sunday and Wednesdays when we include dinner elsewhere because the restaurant is closed. The aromatic gardens are the perfect place to watch the sun set over the Sierra. Day 2: cycle to the striking village of Zahara de la Sierra perched high above a lake then park your bike and stroll through the winding back streets that lead up to the hill-top castle for views over the turquoise waters. From here, your route continues along a quiet, undulating back road through the foothills of the Grazalema Sierra. Griffon vultures can often be seen wheeling overhead as you pass scattered goat farms on the way to Prado del Rey. (38km)
Accommodation: Huerta Dorotea (country estate), Prado del Rey. Surrounded by olive groves, this grand country estate offers six spacious, recently refurbished rooms, a bar and shady terraces on which to relax and enjoy the views across the valley. Day 3: today you head north on more quiet country roads to Puerto Serrano where you can lunch at a converted railway station (closed Thursdays) before cycling the last section across rolling plains to Montellano. (35km) Accommodation: Hotel la Posada (3*), Montellano. Stylishly converted from a former coaching inn, the Posada enjoys a commanding position on the edge of the village and boasts a locally renowned restaurant. Day 4: the easy option is to retrace the final section of yesterday’s route back to Puerto Serrano. Here, you pick up the vía verde (disused railway line) for a gentle cruise between limestone crags all the way to the pretty hill-top village of Olvera via the old station at Coripe, another convenient lunch stop. The more adventurous can take a delightful, winding country road with spectacular views to join the vía verde at Coripe. (51 or 48km)
Accommodation: Hotel Sierra y Cal (2*), Olvera. This simple but comfortable hotel consists of a cluster of whitewashed buildings set around terraces. Day 5: on your final hilly ride, you head south, passing through Setenil, a unique town that literally grew out of a network of caves within the cliffs. Many of the famous cave houses are still inhabited and have been since prehistoric times. Take time to explore the town before continuing back through the hills to Ronda. (34km) Accommodation: Hotel San Gabriel, as above. Recommendations for extra nights: Hotel San Gabriel (Ronda) for more time to explore Andalucia's most famous white town. Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system. Similar holidays: From the Plain to the 'Wild Coast' (grade 2) Prices & travel
Recommended destination airports: Malaga or Gibraltar
Extra night prices 2008/2009 (extra nights can be booked at any hotel):
> Notes on prices > Any queries? Let us call you back  |
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En route to Prado del Rey 
