On a scale of 5, we have defined this trip as level 2/3 but the actual difficulty will depend on whether you choose the longer/tougher routes or shorter/easier variants. The average daily distance cycled is 43 km (minimum 22 km, maximum 60 km), and each day the average ascent is 360 m (minimum 125 m, maximum 575 m)
Start: Jerez de la Frontera Finish: Cádiz
Arrival at your comfortable hotel in Jerez city centre; in time for a walk around the historic centre before dinner (not included).
Leaving Jerez you follow a lovely route passing vineyards, ancient settlements and riverside towns. Quiet country roads and gravel tracks alongside the River Guadalete take you past villages full of pretty, pastel-coloured houses and on towards Arcos de la Frontera. Why not stop to try the local Tierra Blanca white wines en route? At the end of the day you will have to do a steep ascent to reach the historic town centre in Arcos de la Frontera, which seems to be literally balancing on the edge of the cliff. Later there will be time to stroll through the narrow lanes or Arcos, enjoying Andalucia’s lovely evening sky and a luminous twilight of deep blue.
Challenge: 49.2 km, 450m ascent, 350m descent.
In the morning we recommend a circular tour along quiet interior roads, through vast areas dedicated to agriculture; you can either take a long tour of 53.3 km around the Bornos reservoir (past white villages Villamartin and Bornos) OR the short route of 19.8 km around the Arcos reservoir. Arcos itself is worth a visit, because it was one of the most important frontier towns during the Reconquista (hence the adjective “de la frontera”). Follow the old Arabic walls, passing the impressive Castillo de los Duques, as you make your way to the Iglesia de San Agustin with its fantastic viewpoint over the river and rich fertile valley of orange, almond and olive trees. Spend some time in the unique miniature art museum and lunch at one of the array of restaurants.
Challenge:
Option A: 53.6 km, 575m ascent/descent.
Option B: 19.9 km, 300m ascent/descent.
Follow a winding road, passing orange and almond orchards through the town of Junta de los Rios where two rivers converge. Passing through San Jose del Valle, which dates back to Roman times, and the impressive El Tempul, you can choose between the direct route along gravel roads (total of 48km approx.) past the Moorish Gigonza castle or the more challenging route of almost 60km along quiet but winding and ondulated tarmac roads past vast estates. Both routes come together in Paterna de Rivera, famous for its healing waters after which a steep ascent of 225m awaits to your hotel in Medina Sidonia. Take time to explore before dinner this little gem with its grand plaza, mediaeval Moorish architecture, narrow streets and views of the bay of Cadiz.
Challenge:
Longer route: 58.9 km, 800m ascent, 650m descent.
Shorter route: 47.7 km, 650m ascent, 500m descent.
A short route today to recover from yesterday’s adventure. A quiet lane through fighting bull estates and holm oak woods, takes you from Medina to Naveros. A lovely greenway then criss-crosses this stunning landscape for irresistible views of dark green meadows as they melt into the Sierra de Cadiz (look out for Egyptian vultures and Bonelli's eagles) before you finally reach the most picturesque of our three white frontier villages: Vejer de la Frontera. Our standard hotel is an old convent from the 17th century, conveniently located in the centre of town.
Challenge:
Shorter route: 37,4 km, 425m ascent, 300m descent.
Longer route: 69 km, 700m ascent (never more tan 200m in one go), 575m descent.
It is enough to simply wander through the maze of streets that makes up Vejer de la Frontera to understand why it has been decreed a historic site. Discover its Roman walls, Visigoth hermitage and its castle at the highest part of the old town, combining both Moorish and Christian architecture. Lunch in one of the many cafes and restaurants, or walk up to the highest point with panoramic vistas and picnic next to the lovingly restored windmills of San Miguel.
For those who want to cycle in the morning, we have described an interesting route along dirt roads through an entirely different landscape; first alongside the river Barbate, then across vast rice fields to the fishing village of Zahara de los Atunes to try some local tuna at lunch, and finally uphill across the nature reserve Parque Natural de la Breña y Marismas del Barbate.
Challenge:
Shorter route: 23.2 km, 375m ascent/descent
Longer route: 59.3 km, 600m ascent/descent.
You head to the coast today, with a choice of shorter (24km) or longer routes (38.5km); both end in the charming seaside frontier town of Conil de la Frontera. The longer route heads east, passing the town of Barbate, and the pretty surf village of El Palmar. Taking the shorter route affords you more time to wander around the whitewashed houses of Conil de la Frontera, before being transferred to our cosy hotel in the centre of Cádiz ; a very old and magical fortified town.
Challenge:
Longer route: 34 km, 250m ascent, 370m descent.
Shorter route: 23.4 km, 125m ascent, 250m descent.
Your arrangement comes to an end after breakfast today. Taxi transfers to Jerez, Seville or Málaga airport can be arranged.
The hotels on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. Some of the hotels we work with appear here. If a certain hotel is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will request a similar one and inform you about the alternative booked.
Extra nights can be booked at any of the accommodations along the way.
The hotels on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. Some of the hotels we work with appear here. If a certain hotel is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will request a similar one and inform you about the alternative booked.
Extra nights can be booked at any of the accommodations along the way.
Charming hotel in the old district of Jerez a few metres away from the Cathedral and some of the most interesting wine cellars in the city. Ítaca Jerez Hotel can be found in the 19th century Convent of Maria Auxiliadora and boasts a relaxing and exquisite atmosphere which is ideal for your holiday.
Despite being a 2** hotel, this charming accommodation offers all the services needed and a nice terrace. Virtual visit. However, you can check with S-cape Travel for an upgraded hotel.
Rooms, cozy and comfortable, are equipped with all you need to provide you a lovely stay. Most of the rooms have a beautiful view of the Guadalete River Valley and all of them are very quiet. Please, bear in mind that we are located in a historic building with no lift. The access to some of the rooms are via stairs.
Welcoming hotel with spa in Medina Sidonia specially designed to enjoy the beauty of this historic Andalusian city full of traditions and an excellent cultural heritage. Restaurant, bar with terrace,gym and beautiful views.
La Casa de las Cuatro Torres, built between 1736 and 1745, and cataloged as Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) is perhaps the best example of the Houses of Chargers of the Indies. It is a building of neoclassical Cadiz style, a unique style, where sobriety, symmetry and decorative elements are complemented by the occasional use of late baroque decoration, so prevalent in Andalusia. Each room is named after a distinguished seafarer.
This tour is bookable throughout the year except for the very warm months of July and August when temperatures reach 33º C. From November till March rainfall could difficult access of dirt roads (mud) but chances are low that you actually will get wet (number of days with rainfall per month is 8 in December and between 5 and 7 during the rest of winter). The most enjoyable season for cycling is from March to June (first fortnight) and from September (2nd fortnight) till the end of October
Jerez airport (XRY) is a destination for quiet a number of Low Cost airlines (from London, Brussels, Dusseldorf, Cologne , Frankfurt etc) and can also reached via Barcelona or Madrid with regular flight companies.
You can fly to other airports in Andalucía: Sevilla Airport (SVQ) and Málaga (AGP)
Arrival in Jerez de la Frontera
From Jerez airport there is at least 1 direct train to Jerez Train station, but an private taxi transfer can be arranged for aprox 25,- euros. From Jerez Station to your either walk to your hotel (5 min walk to Casa Grande) or take a taxi.
By rail Jerez can be reached from all major Spanish cities
Departure from Cádiz
At the end of your tour, you can take a direct train in Cadíz to Jerez airport.
For time tables of the train connection between Cadiz and Jerez (train station or airport) see http://siu.cmtbc.es/es/horarios_corredor.php?corredor=40
Model: Stevens and Scott (21-24 gears)
Stevens unisex Stevens male
Stevens female Scott male
Model: Conor (21-24 gears). Hidraulic brakes
Caracteristics valid for all our bikes
Model: Bocas or Stevens
E-bike Boca
GPS tracks are available on request
(*) If clients bring their own bikes (and own car), we higly recommend to park their car in Conil. A transer from Conil to Jerez with teh bikes is already included in the package price. This way, you will finish the last route where your car is and won't require additional transfers