Ronda Cycling Holidays

Welcome to the beginning of your cycling journey in Spain! This day is dedicated to preparing for the adventure that lies ahead. The four days of cycling outlined in the upcoming itinerary serve as a blueprint for what promises to be an unforgettable week. Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty, culture, and thrill of cycling in Spain.

Starting in Ronda, your first ride takes towards the Puente Nuevo, the tallest and most recent of Ronda’s three bridges, majestically spanning the El Tajo Gorge. The route meanders down to the village of Montejaque, nestled amidst a breathtaking limestone backdrop.

Descending from the village, you will encounter a road that gracefully skirts the edge of the Guadiaro Valley, offering heart-stopping views down to the river below and sweeping past the entrance to the Pileta cave, a prehistoric treasure trove of cave paintings. The journey continues into the fertile valley, setting the stage for the main climb of the day past almond and olive groves, winding up towards the pristine white village of Jimera de Libar. 

The day begins with a descent from Ronda’s sandstone cliffs into the steady climb of Puerto de Montejaque. Cresting the pass, the Grazalema range reveals its dramatic limestone peaks. Smooth roads lead down to the turquoise Zahara reservoir and climb gently to Zahara de la Sierra, crowned by its 12th-century castle. As you continue, the ascent to Puerto de las Palomas, at 1,347m, offers switchbacks through landscapes of rare Pinsapo pines and sweeping views. A final descent will being you to Grazalema, a serene white village framed by towering peaks.

Today’s route climbs into the Sierra de las Nieves via Puerto de la Ventilla, revealing views of the lush Genal Valley and pine forests climbing limestone peaks. A plateau offers vistas stretching to the Mediterranean, Gibraltar, and Morocco. A winding descent leads to Pujerra, a serene Moorish village perfect for a morning break. From Igualeja, a narrow climb rewards with a thrilling descent past Cartajima’s limestone formations and chestnut orchards, ending in Alpandeire, home to its grand 16th-century church.

Setting off from Ronda, the early kilometres of today’s ride introduces you to the Puerto del Viento (Pass of the Wind), where a smooth ascent over 12 km brings you to the pass at 1,100m. The view from the pass offers a sweeping panorama of Ronda and the Grazalema mountains. Descending from this elevation, you’ll navigate through a lunar landscape leading to a thrilling descent towards El Burgo.  The final stretch over the Saltillo Pass through majestic dehesa landscapes gently guides you back to Ronda, concluding a day marked by breathtaking climbs, descents, and the untamed beauty of Andalusian nature.

As dawn breaks over Ronda, it’s time to say farewell to the winding roads, towering mountains, and azure shores that have been our companions on this journey. From the heart-stirring climbs to the exhilarating descents, each pedal stroke has woven a story of adventure, camaraderie, and personal triumph and you can feel proud of yourself for completing it all.