Frontiers of Al-Andalus Self-Guided Tour

Take Our Self-Guided Road Cycling Tour Along the Frontiers of Al-Andalus

This self-guided road cycling tour makes a stunning 350km circuit from the town of Ronda out into the mountains and valleys of Malaga and Cadiz provinces. This region enjoys stunning mountain scenery, Cat 1 and Cat 2 climbs, great road surfaces with relatively little traffic, and the best European weather – what’s not to like?

On this road cycling tour of Spain, you can expect to get fitter and stronger and burn some serious calories – all the more to enjoy the fantastic local food and wine.

Overview

 

START:  Ronda     FINISH:  Ronda

Price	From €1275 p.p. based on 2 people sharing a double or twin room with breakfast
Duration	8 days	7 nights	6 cycling days
Distance	353km total	58km daily avg     ( max 68km: min 50km )
Grading	Moderate to Challenging - Some long ascents and good daily mileages on this tour. Total tour ascent is 7636m, average daily ascent of 1272m, with plenty of "ups-and-downs" along the way.
Availability	March - June | Sep - November  Choose the dates which suit you. Start on any day of the week. N.B. Supplements may apply during Easter week due to inflated accommodation prices.

 

 

Frontiers of Al-Andalus Road Cycling Tour Highlights

Riding Highlights Varied terrain - rocky mountains, forested hillsides, river valleys and coastal plains Smooth, quiet, country and mountain roads Amazing vistas at every turn Challenging tour for strong riders	Experiences Ronda 'City of Dreams' Frontier towns of Jimena de la Frontera, Castellar de la Frontera and Ubrique Historical sights of Acinipo Roman ruins and Setenil de las Bodegas cave-house village Long mountain ascents and descents

Itinerary

 

Arrival Day in Ronda

Extra sightseeing days can be added on request

Check in to your hotel and enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautiful clifftop town of Ronda. Briefing and bike set up will take place on your first evening

 

Riding Day 1 - Setenil de las Bodegas

50km + 1076m (circular route)

Warm up your legs for the week with an undulating mountain loop that takes in two of the oldest sites in the area. Ronda sits on top of a hill so you start with a long descent into the valley, followed immediately by a steady 10km climb up to the Roman ruins of Acinipo. Take a short break from the bike to walk up to the amphitheatre on top of the escarpment for spectacular views across to Grazalema – a glimpse of where you will be riding on Day 6. Another long descent takes you down into Setenil de las Bodegas, "village of the cave-houses" a great lunch stop before you climb up to the village of Arriate and then on up to Ronda.

Riding Day 2 - Ronda to Jimena de la Frontera

60km +1294m

From Ronda, the first climb takes you high onto a mountain ridge that runs above the Guadiaro Valley. You follow the ridge with views of another valley to the south, the Genal Valley, full of chestnut trees. You will follow the undulating ridge line, passing through a series of white villages - Atajate, Benadalid, Algatocin, and Gaucin. Then head down off the ridge on a fantastic twisting descent past fields and farms. A final climb takes you up to the village of Jimena de la Frontera, where you will spend the night.

Riding Day 3 - Castillo de Castellar

68km +742m (circular)

A gentler day today, with plenty of distance but very little climbing, as you explore the region between Jimena and the coast. You ride past the castle at Castellar and breathe in the sea air as you come within a couple of kilometres of the coast. Then sprint back through the countryside to Jimena, finishing with the short climb up into the village for your second night.

Riding Day 4 - Jimena de la Frontera to Ubrique

55km +1312m

Today you take a long and steady climb from just above sea level up into the heart of the mountains of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. The route is along a twisting, “away-from-it-all” road with no villages and only occasional traffic. You will ride through the Alcornocales Natural Park, with the road twisting and turning through miles of forests – pine, fir, and holm oak. Take a break at the single venta (roadside restaurant) around halfway but be prepared to carry your own supplies today to keep you going through the hills.

Riding Day 5 - Grazalema Natural Park

64km +1695m (circular route)

The toughest day today, although we have planned here the “easier” direction for this loop. You begin with a 16km Cat 2 climb out of Ubrique village. A short breather on a flat section before you are climbing again to Grazalema village (lovely plaza for refreshment stop) and up out of the village to the top of the El Boyar Pass. We have been kind to you with this loop, as you now head down a 19km stretch of road which, in an uphill direction, is known as “The Beast of Boyar”. Do this loop the other way round for the full Beast experience – 16km with an average 5.3% gradient.

Riding Day 6 - Ubrique to Ronda

55km +1485m

You begin today with another Cat 2 ascent of 10km out of Ubrique village to climb to the ridge along the northern edge of the Guadiaro valley, opposite the ridge you rode on Day 3. From the high point of 769m, the road takes an undulating descent down to river level and the village of Jimera Estacion before climbing straight back up into the mountains. Then you drop back to meet the river again before the final steady 12km climb back up to Ronda. Well done – you have completed your sportive tour!

Depart Day

Extra sightseeing days can be added on request

Check out from your hotel and have a safe trip home or to your next destination.

We can provide transfers to your next destination or airports of Sevilla or Malaga. POA

We hope to see you again in the future.

What's Included

 

WHAT'S INCLUDED 7 nights of accommodation on a B&B basis Luggage transfers Carbon-framed road bike Helmet (or bring your own) & 2 water bottles Route GPS (phone App with daily routes, profiles, and maps, no Data-usage required) or GPX files Annotated route maps Briefing Pack, incl day-by-day route notes Briefing meeting on arrival We operate locally to Ronda, so support is always close at hand if needed See our suggested KIT LIST for mountain biking in Spain.

ACCOMMODATION Your tour goes through a mix of large and small towns and more rural areas, so the accommodation style and standard will vary greatly. In the larger towns, we usually book 4-star or 3-star hotels; outside of these, you will stay in countryside haciendas, boutique B&Bs or traditional-style village hotels. All rooms have en-suite facilities. Our selections are based on clean and comfortable accommodation (if sometimes quite simple), friendly owners and staff, a warm welcome, bike storage, and sometimes a swimming pool too.

ROUTE NAVIGATION For self-guided road cycling tours, we provide a GPS application on your mobile phone.  We give free access to the application which can be used in offline mode for each day's ride.  The app. shows maps and the route in great detail. We supply a quality phone holder on the bike to keep your phone safe. We also provide a large-scale, annotated map, designed specifically for your tour by Hike and Bike, giving you a perspective of where you are at all times.

FAQs

 

IS THERE A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THE ROUTE?

Our Road Cycling Tours are designed to follow the ‘less-travelled path’. The routes avoid traffic and busier roads as much as possible, in favour of quiet country roads. Drivers in Andalucia are generally very considerate to cyclists.

 

HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE?

Our Road Cycling Tours are graded from ‘Moderate’ to ‘Challenging’, with daily distances from 35-75km and varying levels of ascent, depending on the specific tour. They are designed for cycling enthusiasts who have good to excellent fitness and are happy to be on a bike for 4+ hours a day. Check the individual tour Itinerary for a daily breakdown of distance and ascent.

 

WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE?

Our cycling tours run from March through to November, with the best cycling weather from March to June and from September to November. Most routes are also possible during the summer months but we recommend an earlier start to beat the main heat of the day, and don’t forget to carry plenty of water.

 

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY LUGGAGE?

We transfer all your main luggage for you. We provide a rear seat trunk bag or small side pannier and a handlebar bag (per couple) to carry a few essential items with you each day e.g. water, snacks, sunscreen, but we recommend you travel light.

 

HOW DO I NAVIGATE EACH DAY?

Navigation on this tour is very easy with our phone app. RidewithGPS. We provide personalised daily routes from door-to-door of each day’s accommodation. The app shows maps and daily routes in great detail, with distances and route profiles, so you always know what is coming up. The app is used in offline mode so you do not need to use Data on your phone and can still navigate in areas where there is no phone signal.

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE A PUNCTURE OR PROBLEM WITH MY BIKE?

On this self-guided tour, we provide all the necessary kit on your bikes for you to fix your own flat tyres or deal with minor mechanical issues (e.g. broken chain). If you do not know how, ask a bike mechanic at home to show you before your holiday or check our Bike Repair notes at the bottom of every webpage. If you need our assistance, you can call us on the number provided and we will help as much as possible on the phone; we may be able to attend to minor mechanical issues but this may be subject to a charge. In the case of a more major mechanical issue, we will come to repair the bike or bring a replacement.

 

WHAT MEALS ARE INCLUDED?

All accommodation includes breakfast (unless specifically stated). Lunch and dinner are not included, so you are free to eat when and where you wish. We mark up your map with suggested lunch locations. Your hosts can recommend dining options, or sometimes they will serve dinner – this information will be included in your daily route notes.

 

IS THIS TOUR AVAILABLE WITH A GUIDE / SUPPORT?

We can offer a guided version of this tour with qualified guides and support vehicles or a semi-supported version with a support vehicle and driver/mechanic. There is a minimum requirement of 6 people to be able to provide this service. Please do not hesitate to enquire about price and availability.

 

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL OR CHANGE MY BOOKING?

If you need to cancel or change the dates of a booking, we have a scaled set of charges based on the work already completed and any costs already incurred which we cannot get back. If you re-book a holiday with us within 12 months of a cancellation which has incurred charges, we will credit up to 50% of the retained amount to the new holiday. Our full cancellation policy can be found here

 

Are you looking for a single-day experience? Browse our Cycling Day Tours from Ronda.

Overview

 

START: Ronda

FINISH: Ronda

• This tour can be started in Malaga, adding 2 or 3 extra days of riding — price on request.

Price	From €1275 p.p. based on 2 people sharing a double or twin room with breakfast
Duration	8 days	7 nights	6 cycling days
Distance	353 km total	58 km daily avg (max 68 km : min 50 km)
Grading	Moderate to Challenging – Some long ascents and good daily mileages on this tour. Total tour ascent is 7636m, average daily ascent of 1272m, with plenty of "ups-and-downs" along the way.
Availability	March to June | Sep to November Choose the dates which suit you. Start any day of the week. Supplements may apply during Easter week due to accommodation pricing.

 

Spanish Road Cycling Tour Highlights — Frontiers of Al-Andalus 

Culture & History Ronda 'City of Dreams' – Puente Nuevo bridge and 120m gorge Frontier Towns – Jimena de la Frontera, Castellar de la Frontera and Ubrique Setenil de las Bodegas – white village hidden in limestone valley Acinipo – a Roman archeological site where remains of the Amphitheatre can be visited Castillo de Castellar – 13th‑century Moorish fortress-town that is inhabited to this day

Scenery & Cycling Low Traffic riding – ride on quiet roads and smotth tarmac Take less-travelled routes – tourists rarely discover Varied Terrain – rocky limestone mountains, forested hills, and river valleys Fantastic mountain ascents and descents – the Grazalema Natural Park and Alcornocales Natural Park offer miles of fantastic riding

Itinerary

 

Arrival Day in Ronda

Check in to your hotel and enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautiful clifftop town of Ronda. 

 

 

• Extra sightseeing days can be added on request

• Welcome meeting and bike setup usually take place the evening before your first ride

---

 

Riding Day 1 - Setenil de las Bodegas

50km + 1076m (circular route)

Warm up your legs for the week with an undulating mountain loop that takes in two of the oldest sites in the area. Ronda sits on top of a hill, so you start with a long descent into the valley, followed immediately by a steady 10km climb up to the Roman ruins of Acinipo. Take a short break from the bike to walk up to the amphitheatre on top of the escarpment for spectacular views across to Grazalema – a glimpse of where you will be riding on Day 6. Another long descent takes you down into Setenil de las Bodegas, "village of the cave-houses," a great lunch stop before you climb up to the village of Arriate and then on up to Ronda.

---

 

Riding Day 2 - Ronda to Jimena de la Frontera

60km +1294m

From Ronda, the first climb takes you high onto a mountain ridge that runs above the Guadiaro Valley. You follow the ridge with views of another valley to the south, the Genal Valley, full of chestnut trees. You will follow the undulating ridge line, passing through a series of white villages - Atajate, Benadalid, Algatocin, and Gaucin. Then head down off the ridge on a fantastic twisting descent past fields and farms. A final climb takes you up to the village of Jimena de la Frontera, where you will spend the night.

---

 

Riding Day 3 - Castillo de Castellar

68km +742m (circular route)

A gentler day today, with plenty of distance but very little climbing, as you explore the region between Jimena and the coast. You ride past the castle at Castellar and breathe in the sea air as you come within a couple of kilometres of the coast. Then, sprint back through the countryside to Jimena, finishing with the short climb up into the village for your second night.

---

 

Riding Day 4 - Jimena de la Frontera to Ubrique

55km +1312m

Today, you take a long and steady climb from just above sea level up into the heart of the mountains of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. The route is along a twisting, “away-from-it-all” road with no villages and only occasional traffic. You will ride through the Alcornocales Natural Park, with the road twisting and turning through miles of forests – pine, fir, and holm oak. Take a break at the single venta (roadside restaurant) around halfway, but be prepared to carry your own supplies today to keep you going through the hills.

---

 

Riding Day 5 - Grazalema Natural Park

64km +1695m (circular route)

The toughest day today, although we have planned here the “easier” direction for this loop. You begin with a 16km Cat 2 climb out of Ubrique village. A short breather on a flat section before you are climbing again to Grazalema village (lovely plaza for a refreshment stop) and up out of the village to the top of the El Boyar Pass. We have been kind to you with this loop, as you now head down a 19km stretch of road which, in an uphill direction, is known as “The Beast of Boyar”. Do this loop the other way round for the full Beast experience – 16km with an average 5.3% gradient.

---

 

Riding Day 6 - Ubrique to Ronda

55km +1485m

You begin today with another Cat 2 ascent of 10km out of Ubrique village to climb to the ridge along the northern edge of the Guadiaro valley, opposite the ridge you rode on Day 3. From the high point of 769m, the road takes an undulating descent down to river level and the village of Jimera Estacion before climbing straight back up into the mountains. Then you drop back to meet the river again before the final steady 12km climb back up to Ronda. Well done – you have completed your sportive tour!

---

 

Departure Day

Check out of your hotel and have a safe trip home or to your next destination.

 

 

 

• Extra sightseeing days can be added on request. 

• We can provide transfers to your next destination or the airports of Sevilla or Malaga. POA

Included

 

What's Included 7 nights of accommodation on a B&B basis Luggage transfers Quality bike (e‑bikes available — supplement applies) Helmet & water bottle (or bring your own) Toolkit (multi‑tool, chain tool, tyre levers, inner tube, pump, puncture repair aerosol) Overnight lock Route GPS app (offline) or GPX files Handlebar phone mount Annotated route maps Briefing Pack with day‑by‑day notes Briefing meeting on arrival Bike collection from final destination of the tour

Accommodation Your tour goes through a mix of large and small towns and more rural areas, so the accommodation style and standard will vary greatly. In the larger towns, we usually book 4-star or 3-star hotels; outside of these, you will stay in countryside haciendas, boutique B&Bs or traditional-style village hotels. All rooms have en-suite facilities. We prioritise clean, comfortable stays with friendly owners, secure bike storage and, where possible, swimming pools.

 

Route Navigation For self-guided biking, we provide a GPS app for your phone, which works fully offline for each day's ride. The app shows detailed maps, route profiles and turn‑by‑turn navigation. A quality phone holder is supplied with your bike. You also receive a large‑scale annotated map designed specifically for your tour.   Local Support You’re never on your own. As soon as you arrive in Spain, we add you to a dedicated WhatsApp group so communication is quick and effortless throughout your trip. We also meet you at the start of your tour to walk you through everything you need to know, make sure your navigation app is set up correctly, and confirm you’re fully comfortable using it. Our team is based right here in Ronda, close to all the touring areas, so if anything unexpected comes up, we’re nearby and ready to help.

FAQs

 

 Is There A Lot Of Traffic On The Route?

Our Road Cycling Tours are designed to follow the ‘less-travelled path’. The routes avoid traffic and busier roads as much as possible, in favour of quiet country roads. Drivers in Andalucia are very considerate of cyclists.

 How Fit Do I Need To Be?

Our Road Cycling Tours are graded from ‘Moderate’ to ‘Challenging’, with daily distances from 35-75km and varying levels of ascent, depending on the specific tour. They are designed for cycling enthusiasts who have good to excellent fitness and are happy to be on a bike for 4+ hours a day. Check the individual tour Itinerary for a daily breakdown of distance and ascent.

 What’s The Weather Like?

Our cycling tours run from March through to November, with the best cycling weather from March to June and from September to November. Most routes are also possible during the summer months, but we recommend an earlier start to beat the main heat of the day, and don’t forget to carry plenty of water.

 What Happens To My Luggage?

We transfer all your main luggage for you. We provide a rear seat trunk bag or small side pannier and a handlebar bag (per couple) to carry a few essential items with you each day, such as water, snacks, and sunscreen, but we recommend you travel light.

 How Do I Navigate Each Day?

Navigation on this tour is very easy with our phone app, RidewithGPS. We provide personalised daily routes from door‑to‑door to each day’s accommodation. The app shows maps and daily routes in great detail, with distances and route profiles, so you always know what is coming up. The app is used in offline mode, so you do not need to use data on your phone and can still navigate in areas where there is no phone signal.

 What Happens If I Have A Puncture Or Problem With My Bike?

On this self‑guided tour, we provide all the necessary kit on your bikes for you to fix your own flat tyres or deal with minor mechanical issues (e.g. broken chain). If you do not know how, ask a bike mechanic at home to show you before your holiday or check our Bike Repair notes at the bottom of every web page. If you need our assistance, you can call us on the number provided, and we will help as much as possible on the phone; we may be able to attend to minor mechanical issues, but this may be subject to a charge. In the case of a more major mechanical issue, we will come to repair the bike or bring a replacement.

 What Meals Are Included?

All accommodation includes breakfast (unless specifically stated). Lunch and dinner are not included, so you are free to eat when and where you wish. We mark up your map with suggested lunch locations. Your hosts can recommend dining options, or sometimes they will serve dinner – this information will be included in your daily route notes.

 Is This Tour Available With A Guide Or Support?

We can offer a guided version of this tour with qualified guides and support vehicles or a semi‑supported version with a support vehicle and driver/mechanic. There is a minimum requirement of 6 people to be able to provide this service. Please do not hesitate to enquire about price and availability.

 What If I Need To Cancel Or Change My Booking?

If you need to cancel or change the dates of a booking, we have a scaled set of charges based on the work already completed and any costs already incurred that we cannot get back. If you re‑book a holiday with us within 12 months of a cancellation which has incurred charges, we will credit up to 50% of the retained amount to the new holiday. Our full cancellation policy can be found here.