Self-guided Bike Tours in the Serrania de Ronda, Andalusia

Serranía means mountaineous area. In the area around Ronda you can expect to see green valley`s, rocky mountains and various forests. In the White Villages, which are mostly hidden between the mountains, as you get aquainted with the Spanish way of life and authentic culture of Andalusia as it has been passed down every generation, and still has a strong influence in this southern most part of Spain.

Many people don’t realise that Malaga and Cadiz, are the greenest of the 8 provinces in Andalusia, not solely from rainfall as it can become very dry, but mostly due to its underground wells and water basins. As nature surrounds you, you can cycle on small inland roads, through olive groves, cork and stone-oak forests, and pass by lush green fields filled with wild flowers from the Serrania. In between these green fields can lay the famous White Villages, which aren't over-populated by tourists, which makes this an ideal place to relax and watch the world go by.

Or for the history buff, why not stay in Ronda and visit its Moorish monuments such as the Arab Baths, water mine and fortress, Mondragon palace or the old city walls before cycling onto historical landmarks like the Cueva de la Pileta, with its cave paintings that are 22,000 years old or to the Roman citadel and baths at Acinipo or Antequera.

The Serrania de Ronda is not only rich in history and culture but in nature, with many Natural Parks that you can visit which includes: Los Alcornocales (the area of Jimena and Gaucin), Sierra de las Nieves (between Ronda, El Burgo and Tolox), Montes de Malaga and the most famous Park of Grazalema (and beautiful).

Sometimes in winter there's snow on the highest peak (La Torrecilla which is 1.919 meters heigh!) on the Southern mountain range of the Sierra de Las Nieves. In this area there aren't many routes you can cycle, because it's mostly mountain range in the Natural Park. In this case why not make the most of the terrain, and ride as far as you can, then lock up your bikes, and hike through the mountains until you find the pefect spot to eat your packed lunch.

Further to the west of Ronda, lays the Natural Park of Los Alcornocales and the Natural Park of Grazalema. These natural parks stretch from Ronda to Jimena and all the way up to Grazalema, and happen to be the most cycled routes we have. Although these parks are green, the terrain is rough with mountaineous peaks, valleys, gorges and in between, flows the Genal River and the Guardiaro River.

When you cycle through Grazalema Natural Park it's not only beautiful, but it's very green as it receives the highest amount of rainfall in winter throughout the whole of Spain. This area is also famous for its Pinsapo forest (a big protected ¨fern¨ tree) and it also has Europe’s biggest Vulture (Leonado) colony.

We are sure you'll enjoy cycling this part of Andalusia with Cycleronda as there is so much to see and do!