Difficulty Rating : 7 Start : Malaga Finish : Cueva de Gatos Terrain : There are a number of hill climbs on most days Daily Average : 40km Weekly Average : 199km Tour Type : Self Guided Teaser : This village to village adventure starts in Ronda , one of the oldest and most beautiful cities of Spain.
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This village to village adventure starts in Ronda , one of the oldest and most beautiful cities of Spain.
Situated on an impressive plateau and surrounded by mountains Ronda is famous for its spectacular gorge ‘El Tajo’ the cliffs are spanned by a bridge, a popular place for travellers to admire the breathtaking views. We then move onto Olvera one of Andalucia’s most dramatic ‘pueblos blancos’ which is overlooked by a Moorish castle and stunning church, a perfect location to discover the true delights of rural Spain. Next, you ride along the Via Verde, an old railway line, perfect for cycling, as it rolls through the breathtaking scenery of the Andalucian countryside where we see the historic, cultural and natural delights of the ‘real’ Andalucia.
Midweek brings us to Zahara de la Sierra, a Moorish town which was fiercely fought over by the Moors and Christians.

The prominent Moorish Castle, which can be seen from miles away, towers above this stunning hilltop village which is located at the foot of a beautiful lake. After Zahara your tour takes you to Grazalema, a pretty mountain village, set in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and surrounded on three sides by mountains. Its steep cobbled streets are lined with white whitewashed houses whose window boxes bringing a splash of colour to this lively little village. Finally, we end your tour back in Ronda, where you’ll have the chance to explore this historic town which has established itself as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain and has become known for its fine cuisine.
Amongst the many highlights of the trip are; the beautiful Grazalema Natural Park, the beautiful Moorish castle at Zahara, the Peñon Zaframagon, a craggy outcrop which is the home to the largest colony of Griffon Vultures in Andalucia and last but by no means least the stunning Gorge, which splits Ronda in two. Where possible we try to keep to quiet country lanes, however, on one or two occasions we do have to use busier roads for a few kilometres to get you into the villages.

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A downloadable version of the itinery is available from the Dossiers Tab

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrive in Ronda. (Malaga Airport). image 1 Arrive in Ronda. (Malaga Airport).

Fly to Malaga Airport and transfer to Ronda where you will receive your bikes and Tour information pack

Day 2

Benoajan 25km (Total Ascent 550m)

Onto the bikes for your first of many leisurely rides along quiet country lanes we head towards Montejaque via Benoajan. There is a chance to go for a swim at the fresh water lagoon at the Cueva de Gatos before stopping for lunch at, in my opinion, one of the best restaurants in this area.

Day 3

Grazalema & Zahara 37 km (Total Ascent 595m)

We ride through an enchanting cork tree forest in the Grazalema Natural Park to the beautiful white village of Grazalema, which is surrounded by three sides of mountains. Here you have an opportunity to explore the narrow streets, enjoy the beautiful views back across the route we have taken and sample a few tapa’s and local hospitality. After lunch its back on the bikes you ride along quiet country lanes that meander there way towards Zahara de la Sierra.

Day 4

Rolling Hills & Haciendas 53km (Total Ascent 660m)

Back on the bikes and we ride through rolling hills passing fields of sun flowers, olive groves and a few local vineyards too visiting Prado del Rey and Puerto Serrano before getting to your next Hotel a traditional Spanish Hacienda where there will be a chance for a dip in the pool & chill out on the terrace with a glass or two of Sangria and your favourite book before dinner.

Day 5

Via Verde 52 km (Total Ascent 1200m)

Following breakfast you ride along the ‘Via Verde de la Sierra’ which meanders from Puerto Serrano to Olvera. Along the route we pass through a variety of landscapes from farm land to a mountain region. Water is a common element of the landscape as the route follows the path of the two rivers of Guadalete & Guadalporcun, therefore the Mediterranean vegetation is lush. Riding along this old railway track you pass over several viaducts, the most impressive being at Coripe, and through 30 tunnels the longest of which is 990metres. Refreshments stops can be made in Olvera before riding onto Setenil.

Day 6

Ronda La Vieja 32km (Total Ascent 850m)

You’ll ride back to Ronda via the Roman Ampitheatre at Ronda La Vieja along the old ‘travellers route’. From the Ampitheatre you can enjoy stunning views across towards Grazalema. A short days ride gives you plenty of opportunity to relax and unwind at the end of your trip.

Day 7

Rest Day

A rest day in Ronda to explore the historic old town, the arabic baths, city wall and many mueseums. Or time for some retail therapy and an opportunity to indulge, after your week long white village tour.
If you prefer we can add an additional days riding to another of our favourite restaurants in this area.
This rest day can be taken at the start or end of your trip. The rest day is not a compulsory element of the White Village Tour and can be left out if you wish. Please ensure you opt out of the rest day upon booking this trip if it is not required.

Tour ends after breakfast the following morning.

For more details please have a look at the tour dossiers.

- 7 nights accommodation in farmhouse & hotels
- All breakfasts  
- daily luggage transfer, 
- Route Information pack
- GPS tracks
- Maps and daily route description
- Helmet included

As this is a self led trip you do not have the back-up of a guide and support van. Our aim is to allow you feel like an independent traveller, free to cycle each day at your own pace while at the same time having the security of knowing that your luggage will be waiting for you in your next accommodation.

If you experience small problems with the bike (e.g., a puncture) you will have a spare tube, pump and tyre lever. You also have access to a 24 hour helpline.

We can arrange the airport transfer from Malaga to the start of the tour in Ronda. Please, check it out in price section

Bike rental is not included in the tour price. You can rent hybrid bike or e-bike

On a scale from 1-10 (with 1 being the easiest and 10 the hardest) we give this tour 7 points.

The daily average distance is 40km, weekly total around 199km

There are a number of hills climbs on most days

On this tour, all breakfasts are included (buffet style). Lunches and dinners are not included.

Specialized cycle clothing may be handy but not strictly necessary. What you do need (among other things) is the following:
• shorts/ long trousers/ tracksuit/ legging
• shirts/ sweater/ rain clothing
• gloves (only when you book a tour in April. It can be chilly in the morning at that time of year!)
• good shoes
• sunglasses/ cap/ swimming costume
• extra towel
• soap/ insect repellent
• swimwear

2025 SELF LED TOUR PRICE
€895 per person sharing
€265 for single room supplement

Bike rental is not included in the tour price.

€130 Hybrid bike
€265 e-bike

Malaga return transfer  €130 (per person, based on 2 people)

Self Guided Tour Information

Group tours are not available on this route.
This tour can start all year round, any day.

To get to the start point in Malaga: 

We suggest flying to Malaga airport (airport transfer €100 per person).
Its also possible to arrange airport transfer to/from Jerez and Seville airports.

For more details please have a look at the tour dossier.

As always please contact us in the office for more information (info@cyclingsafaris.com).

Ronda

Hotel Palacio de la Duquesa (Night 1 & 7) 

Montyecorto

Corijo Las Piletas or Cortijo Salinas (depending on availability)

Montyecorto image 1Montyecorto image 1

Zahara

Hotel Los Tadeos

Zahara image 1Zahara image 1

Montellano

Hotel Andalou

Olvera

Hotel Sierra y Cal

Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available

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Insurance

We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

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Payment Information

If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €300.00 non refundable deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The balancing payment is required two months prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The full payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

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Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.