Hike and Bike Mini-Tour

Serrania de Ronda "Taster" Tour or Perfect Long Weekend

Limited on your time in Andalucia but still hanker after an authentic experience of the region? Then take our Hike and Bike Mini-Tour. 

Starting out from Ronda, your self-guided leisure cycling tour will take you via five delightfully different white villages - Setenil de las Bodegas*, Alcala del Valle, Torre Alhaquime, Montejaque* and Benaojan - staying overnight in two of them*. You will also visit the remains of the Roman amphitheatre at Acinipo. A final walking day allows you to enjoy the countryside at a slower pace, following ancient trails that villagers have used for centuries to travel to Ronda. 

Overview

 

START:  Ronda     FINISH:  Ronda

Price	From €595 p.p. based on 2 people sharing a double or twin room with breakfast
Duration	5 days	4 nights	2 rides / 1 walk
Distance	91km total	40 km daily avg cycling  / 11km walk
Difficulty	Moderate - This tour has been designed to follow the 'less travelled path', cycling on a mix of quiet roads and unsurfaced tracks on trekking bikes (e-bikes also available). The walk follows ancient trails through the mountains and a river valley, entering Ronda from below, with terrific views of the spectacular gorge bridge.
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 Serrania Tour Highlights

Culture & History Ronda 'City of Dreams' - Puente Nuevo bridge and 120m gorge. Setenil de las Bodegas - village of the cavehouses Alcala del Valle - visit the baroque church hidden in the village  Acinipo Roman site - explore the archeaological site and try out the acoustics of the amphitheatre which still stands on the hill	Scenery & Trails Low-traffic riding - on quiet roads and easy, unsurfaced tracks, away from traffic Ancient mountain pathways - walk the trails that villagers used for centuries Spectacular scenery - amazing vistas at every turn, limestone mountains, olive-covered hillsides and river valleys Cueva del Gato – waterfall and crystal-clear water pool.

Itinerary

 

Arrival Day in Ronda

Check into your hotel and take in the breathtaking views and vibrant atmosphere of the historic clifftop town of Ronda. 

• Welcome meeting and bike set-up usually take place the evening, you'll receive a briefing to prepare for the exciting adventure ahead.
• Extra sightseeing days can be added on request
•  

Biking Day 1 - Ronda to Setenil de las Bodegas

45km +666m

From Ronda, cycle northwards past vineyards and olive groves to the village of Alcala del Valle to see the impressive baroque church. Continue on to Torre Alhaquime, a small and pretty village on the ancient border of disputed Muslim and Christian areas, with the ruins of the old Nazari tower fortress still visible. Enjoy lunch in either village before heading down to Setenil de las Bodegas, located in a river valley. Large overhanging limestone cliffs through the lower parts of the village create a unique atmosphere, and "cave-house" dwellings built into the rock overhangs form the basis of many houses, shops, and cafes. Overnight in the village hotel.

Biking Day 2 - Setenil to Montejaque

35km +811m

Cycle up to the remains of the Roman hilltop settlement of Acinipo. The town was built to house retired Roman soldiers and thrived in the first century AD. It is worth taking a walk up the hill to visit the remains of the (partially rebuilt) amphitheatre and to catch the views from the high escarpment across to the valley below. From Acinipo, descend past bodegas, vineyards, and wheat fields - the two main crops grown here since Roman times - and on through cork oak forests to the village of Montejaque. The tree bark is harvested to provide the corks for '000s of bottles of locally and nationally produced wines. Overnight in a traditional hotel in the centre of Montejaque village.

As an optional upgrade, cycle 5 km beyond Montejaque to overnight at a charming boutique riverside hotel, known for its excellent restaurant and tranquil setting —an ideal spot to unwind after the day’s ride.

Hiking Day 3 - Montejaque to Ronda

11km +394m

This walking route climbs steadily out of the village up a zigzag path, then follows historic mountain trails once used by villagers travelling to Ronda. From the top of the pass, the first glimpses of Ronda appear, before the route descends into the wide Guadiaro Valley. A gradual climb then leads up towards Ronda, where the town's dramatic clifftop setting comes into view. After dropping into the valley beneath the cliff edge, spectacular views of the Puente Nuevo bridge unfold. The final approach follows an old cobbled road, ascending steps along the edge of the gorge and into Ronda’s historic old town.

 

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 airports of Sevilla or Malaga. POA

 

What's Included

  

WHAT'S INCLUDED 5 nights accommodation on a B&B basis Luggage transfers Bike collection after 2nd day Quality trekking bike (or e-bike, supplement applies)  Optional pannier bag and/or handlebar bag for your daily needs (we recommend travelling light) Helmet & water bottle (or bring your own) Toolkit (multi-tool, chain tool and speed links, tyre levers, inner tube, pump, puncture repair aerosol) Overnight lock Route GPS (phone App with daily routes, profiles and maps, no Data-usage required) Annotated route maps Briefing Pack, incl tips, advice and day-by-day route notes Briefing meeting on arrival

ACCOMMODATION This tour visits Ronda and four white 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

 

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