Sierra de Grazalema cycling trip

Today you arrive in Ronda, a major historical town in Andalucía's "pueblos blancos".

Challenge: Travel to Andalucía.

Villages along the way: Ronda

A lovely route for your first day of cycling. Ascent by way of Arriate to Setenil de las Bodegas, perched on rocky cliffs overlooking the River Guadalporcun. You then continue ivaTorre Alhaquime to reach the pretty village of Olvera, surrounded by open farmland and enormous olive orchards.

Challenge: 36 km / 23,5 mi, 450 m ascent

Villages along the way: Setenil, Arriate, Olvera

Today's route follows narrow tarmac roads through farmland, to reach the town of Algodonales. Lovely contrast of white-washed buildings among a variety of earth tones. Zahara de la Sierra is another magnificently-situated cliff-top village.

Challenge: 48 km / 30 mi, 500 m ascent

Villages along the way: Algodonales, Zahara de la Sierra

Today you do a tough ascent of 470 m to reach Grazalema then cycle onward to Benaocaz, where you come upon ancient sections of a Roman Road. The historical town centre is of Moorish origin, with a church built on the site of a former mosque.

Challenge: 39.5 km / 24,5 mi, 500 m ascent

Villages along the way: Grazalema, Benaocaz

First you cycle down to the town of Ubrique, the largest of all white villages with lots of bars, restaurants and shops. Then you start to climb along a quiet interior road and cross the largest cork oak reserve of Spain as you cycle around the central Massif of the Grazalema mountains. Magnificent views while you cycle down into the green valley of the river Guadario. You practically don't have to move your feet for 10 km, before you arrive at the train station in Jimera de Líbar. Here you take the train to Benaojan and 5 minutes later you entre the door of your cosy rutal hotel.

If there is no train or you prefer to cycle anyhow, you will have to add another 10 km to the route

Challenge: 40 km / 25 mi, 500 m ascent (10 km / 6 mi + 390 m in ascent extra if you cycle between Jimera and Benaoján)

Villages along the way: Ubrique, Cortes de la Frontera and Jimera de Líbar

This part of the trip takes you back to Ronda by way of the "Encinas Borrachas" pass (at 1000 m), on the road from Gaucín to Ronda. A very scenic route and quiet short, but you'll have to do 2 ascents of 350 m. Your reward: a long descent to Ronda and grand entrance by crossing the town's spectacular bridge. If you prefer to skip the long ascents, you can cycle directly from Benaoján to Ronda or travel with your bike by train.

Challenge: 13.5 - 25km / 8,5 - 15,5mi, 450 / 800 m ascent

Villages along the way: Atajate, Ronda

Your program comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Departure from Ronda.

Challenge: Travel from Southern Spain.