Hike + Bike Grand Tour of the Serrania de Ronda

Self-Guided Walking and Cycling Tour in Spain

Discover the untamed beauty of the Serranía de Ronda with our Hike and Bike Grand Tour, an exclusive self-guided adventure where you set your own pace. Experience the freedom to explore stunning landscapes at your leisure, blending the exhilaration of cycling with the serenity of hiking. 

This comprehensive tour covers the three main areas surrounding Ronda: traverse the lush Genal Valley with its verdant landscapes and charming villages; discover the rugged beauty of Grazalema Natural Park, a haven for nature lovers; and explore the rolling hills to the north, rich in Roman ancestry and dotted with picturesque vineyards. Embrace the flexibility of the Hike + Bike Grand Tour and uncover the hidden gems of the Serranía de Ronda at your own rhythm.

Book Your Tour Now

Book Your Tour Now

Overview

 

START:  Ronda     FINISH:  Ronda

Price	From €1425 p.p. based on 2 people sharing a double or twin room with breakfast
Duration	10 days	9 nights	4 rides / 4 hikes
Distance	210km total	39 km daily avg cycling    ( 12 km daily avg hiking )
Difficulty	Moderate - This tour has been designed to follow the 'less travelled path', walking on pathways which are uneven and remote in places and cycling on quiet roads and gravel tracks maximising taffic free routes where possible. Some days will be remote throughout.
Availability	March - June | Sep - November  Choose the dates which suit you. Start on any day of the week. Note: Supplements may apply during Easter week due to inflated accommodation prices.

 

Hike + Bike Grand Tour Highlights

White Villages Ronda 'City of Dreams' - Puente Nuevo bridge and 120m gorge Acinipo, Roman amphitheatre and archeological site Montejaque – charming mountain village with lively village plaza, zig-zag path up into the mountains and abandoned Hundidero Dam Juzcar, blue village in the Genal valley Grazalema – gateway to the Natural Park, a historically important village with a balustraded central plaza, townhouses and annual bull-run

Scenery & Trails Serranía de Ronda mountains – dramatic limestone crags and rocky plains Guadiaro river valley Genal Valley – chestnut trees as far as the eye can see Cueva del Gato – waterfall and pool Grazalema Natural Park – mountains, holm oak and cork oak forest, Iberian pigs

Itinerary

 

Arrival Day in Ronda

Extra sightseeing days can be added on request

Upon arrival, check into your hotel and take in the breathtaking views and vibrant atmosphere of the historic clifftop town of Ronda. In the evening, you'll receive a briefing to prepare for the exciting adventure ahead.

 

Biking Day 1 - Setenil de las Bodegas

50km +819m

This moderate ride takes you along scenic tracks through open countryside, passing olive groves and vineyards before descending into the unique white village of Setenil de las Bodegas. Here, you'll see the iconic cave houses built into the limestone cliffs, still used today as homes, cafes, and bars. Return to Ronda via minibus for a 32km ride or complete a circular route of 50km, cycling back to Ronda.

Hiking Day 2 - Ronda to Cartajima

13km +566m

Today’s hike takes you south from Ronda, crossing the mountains overlooking the town. From a hidden plateau, you’ll enjoy stunning views back toward Ronda before crossing the ridge into the Genal Valley. Descend into Cartajima, a peaceful village perched above the chestnut-filled valley, where you'll spend the night.

Hiking Day 3 - Juzcar and Pujerra circular

12km +695m

On this circular route, you'll venture deeper into the Genal Valley, visiting two distinct villages. First, Júzcar, known for its blue-painted houses, and then Pujerra, famous as a hub for chestnut processing in autumn. You'll walk back to Cartajima for a second overnight stay.

Biking Day 4 - Cartajima to Benaojan

47km +1049m

Ride through the Genal Valley, passing picturesque villages nestled in the mountains, including Atajate, the smallest village in the area. Descend into the next valley where the Rio Guadiaro runs, passing Jimera de Líbar. After a scenic ride above the Guadiaro valley, and a fun descent you’ll arrive at the Hotel Molino del Santo in Benaoján for an overnight stay, where you can relax and enjoy the hotel's renowned restaurant.

Walking Day 5 - Hundidero and Montejaque circular

16km +477m

This hike follows the Rio Guadiaro, past the beautiful Cueva del Gato pool and into the dramatic landscapes of Grazalema Natural Park. Explore the abandoned Hundidero dam from the early 1900s, offering incredible views for those with a head for heights. Continue up into the mountain village of Montejaque before descending back to Molino del Santo for a second night’s stay.

Biking Day 6 - Benaojan to Grazalema

28km +786m

Today’s ride takes you through the heart of the Grazalema Natural Park, cycling among acres of cork oak trees toward the mountain village of Grazalema, nestled in the mountains where you’ll spend the night.

Walking Day 7 - Grazalema Circular

10km +497m

On this circular hike, you’ll explore the mountains and forest surrounding Grazalema, with mountain paths offering panoramic views of the Grazalema Natural Park. and passing a picturesque reservoir high above the village.  Overnight in Grazalema.

Biking Day 8 - Grazalema to Ronda

34km +746m

The final day’s ride takes you from Grazalema, passing near the end of Zahara Lake and through a scenic valley before reaching the foot of Ronda. A final climb leads you back into the town, concluding your grand adventure.

Departure 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 you enjoy your Andalucian Hiking and Biking Tour in Spain.

What's Included

  

WHAT'S INCLUDED 9 nights accommodation on a B&B basis  Luggage transfers Route GPS (phone App with daily routes, profiles and maps, no Data-usage required) or GPX files Annotated route maps  Briefing Pack, incl tips, advice and day-by-day route notes Briefing meeting on arrival

ACCOMMODATION This tour visits Ronda and two small villages, so the accommodation style and standard varies but we have personally selected every overnight venue. We select the best available options in the smaller towns and villages and base our choices on clean and comfortable accommodation, friendly owners, welcoming staff and staff and, where possible, a swimming pool.

ROUTE NAVIGATION For self-guided walking and cycling, 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 also provide a bespoke, annotated map, designed specifically for your tour by Hike and Bike, giving you a perspective of where you are at all times.

 

FAQs

 

WHERE WILL I BE WALKING & RIDING?

Our Tours are designed to follow the ‘less travelled path', walking almost entirely away from roads on a mix of drovers' trails, tracks and pathways. Cycling is on a mix of quiet country roads and unsurfaced tracks. It is not off-road mountain biking, so is perfect for cyclists on our hybrid or trekking bikes (or e-bikes) who are keen to explore the countryside. Drivers in Andalucia are very considerate to cyclists.  Our routes go into remote parts of the Serrania de Ronda, so you will often be away from 'civilisation' for part of the day. 

 

HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE?

Our Hike and Bike Tours are graded at a ‘Moderate’ level, for which you need to be capable of walking or cycling for a minimum of 4 hours in hilly and mountainous terrain. Every day includes notable hill climbs.  Walks can include some steep descents and ascents and some sections on loose or rocky surfaces. Whilst your main luggage is transferred for you, be prepared to carry appropriate provisions and equipment to see you through the day. Check the individual tour Itinerary for a daily breakdown of distance and ascent.

 

WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE?

Our cycling and walking tours run from March through to November, with the best 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. On remote days, where you pass no 'civilisation' be prepared to carry appropriate provisions and equipment to see you through the day.

 

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 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. 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