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Ronda, Local Weather, White Villages and Natural Parks
Hike + Bike are based in the historic town of Ronda in the heart of the Andalucian mountains. All around the town is an unspoilt landscape of mountain sierras filled with diverse flora and wildlife, thick forests of cork oak and expanses of native Spanish fir. In the white villages and isolated farms which are scattered throughout the area, rural spanish life continues much as it has done for centuries. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a holiday in the great outdoors - you can choose to be adventurous with challenging activities or simply enjoy the relaxing pace of Andalucian life. 
Ronda
Ronda is the town which lies at the heart of the mountainous region known as the Serrania de Ronda. The town sits on top of a dramatic gorge which divides the oldest part of the city from the new. It retains architecture from its Roman, Arabic, Jewish and Christian past. The spectacular New Bridge (“Puente Nuevo”) which spans the gorge is the major sight of the city, although its name is a slight misnomer, as it is hardly "new" any more.....building commenced in 1751 and took until 1793 to complete!
The bullring (“Plaza de toros”) is the oldest functioning one in Spain and there are many museums, churches and beautiful old buildings to visit. Take a walk along the city wall or through the tiny streets and alleys which wind their way through the town, leading you to spectacular viewing points overlooking the gorge and valley, to open plazas or simply to a hidden bar or restaurant. Festivals and celebrations take place throughout the year, the highlights being the September Feria, with a Bullfighters’ Parade and lively street-life or May's Ronda Romantica, which celebrates the region's romantic era of bandits, gypsies and senoritas.
The town has an excellent selection of bars, restaurants and cafes, so you will never be short of places to eat, drink or simply watch the world go by over leisurely tapas and a beer. During the summer months, much of life takes place outdoors and there is always something to see and do.
Read more about things to see in Ronda here.
Local Climate & Weather
300+ days of sunshine a year
The weather conditions in Andalucia and the Serrania de Ronda are the best in Europe and ideal for outdoor activity. We enjoy lots of sunshine and clear blue skies throughout the year, whilst mountain breezes can help cool the air, even in the hottest months of the year.
Spring and Autumn
The best cycling and walking weather is from March to June and from September to November, when you can be active outdoors pretty much throughout the day. We came to Ronda for the first time in March and the fabulous weather hooked us for good! The wild flowers in Spring also make this a fabulous time to visit this area. At the beginning of the spring and end of autumn, the area’s mountain altitude can cause some chilly early morning weather, so you need a long-sleeved top and wind-proof jacket, but the temperatures soon rise as the sun warms the air.
Summer
If you are planning to cycle or walk in the hottest months of July and August, you need to aim to finish any physical activity by around 2pm. Depending on the distance you are plannng to go, this may mean an early breakfast and departure. Morning conditions are usually ideal for walking/cycling - there’s often a light morning breeze and the southern mountain ranges provide some shade and protection from the sun. After 2pm, the heat continues to rise and the sun is at its zenith for most of the afternoon. Temperatures can begin to drop after 6pm but don't expect sudden cool, as the sun won't set until 10pm or so in high summer. For any activity at this time of year, make sure you take plenty of water and sun protection with you.
Winter
From December to February we generally still enjoy great conditions for hiking and biking, although there will usually be some rainy days - this is what keeps our region so green and fertile throughout the year. Winter days can still achieve daytime temperatures of 18 °C, with bright sunshine and beautiful blue skies. In the mornings, late afternoons or less sunny days there may be a noticeable chill in the air, so long-sleeves and a wind/waterproof jacket are recommended, especially for high altitude activities and long downhill riding. Be prepared for cold evenings and night times.
Average Daytime Temperature by month ˚C Average days of rain per month
Click here for up-to-date local 14 day weather forecast
Andalucia
Andalucia is the most southerly of Spain’s “autonomous communities” and justly famous for its mountain ranges, scenery, culture, history and beaches, spread along 500 miles of coast. It boasts several famous and beautiful cities, all within easy reach of Hike + Bike's base in Ronda: Seville, the home of flamenco, Jerez, famous for sherry production, Granada, with its moorish past and Alhambra Palace and even Malaga, which has a lot more to offer than just the airport gateway to the Costa del Sol.
The landscape varies enormously throughout the region but much of the inland area, away from the coast, remains unspoilt and offer vast expanses of open countryside, acres of olive groves and small, isolated mountain communities.
White Villages
Andalucia is famous for its white villages or "pueblos blancos". With a population of 36,000 Ronda itself is still classed as a pueblo blanco, though many of the smaller villages have less than 500 inhabitants. The villages are dotted throughout the mountains, visible for miles around and providing a landmark to head for when walking, riding or hiking. Many of these villages were founded by Berber tribes who settled in the area during the eight centuries of Moorish presence, when the constant threat of attack led them to chose sites which were high up in the mountains and easy to defend. For the modern age, the main benefit of these locations is truly wonderful views and the fact that few concessions have been made to ‘mainstream' tourism. These are villages that seem to demand that you slow down a pace or two.
The Andalucian Sierras and Natural Parks
Sierra de Grazalema was the first area in Andalucia to be declared a protected Natural Park and lies directly to the west of Ronda. It is filled with spectacular limestone cliffs and jagged peaks, gorges, chasms, faults and caves, underground rivers and deep canyons. The flora is enormously diverse, with thick forests of cork oak and Spanish fir (pinsapo). The forests are the habitat of mountain goat, red deer and wild boar. The area is dotted with charming white andalucian villages, including Grazalema, Zahara de la Sierra and Villaluenga de Roasario.
Sierra de las Nieves This is the mountain range and natural park which lies to the east of Ronda and stretches right down to the Costa del Sol. It is rocky and mountainous and has been largely impossible to cultivate, so it remains as it was in the 19th century, quiet and unspoilt with just a few driveable tracks and very little human habitation. As its name suggests, its peaks can be snow covered in winter. Walking here is fairly challenging because of the abrupt changes of height and the park includes the high peak of Mount Torrecilla, a worthwhile climb up to 1,919m, with fantastic views from the top.
