8-day Andalucia Cycling Holiday

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 km / 30,5 mi, 450 m ascent, 350 m 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 54 km / 33,5 mi around the Bornos reservoir (past white villages Villamartin and Bornos) OR the short route of 20 km / 12,5 mi 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: 54 km / 33,5 mi, 575 m ascent and descent.

Option B: 20 km / 12,5 mi, 300 m ascent and 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 48 km / 30 mi approx.) past the Moorish Gigonza castle or the more challenging route of almost 60 km 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 230 m 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 Cádiz.

Challenge: 

Longer route: 59 km / 36,5 mi, 800 m ascent, 650 m descent.

Shorter route: 48 km / 30 mi, 650 m ascent, 500 m 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 km / 23 mi, 425 m ascent, 300 m descent.

Longer route: 70 km / 43,5 mi, 700 m ascent (never more tan 200 m in one go), 575 m 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 km / 14,5 mi, 375 m ascent and descent

Longer route: 59 km / 36,5 mi, 600 m ascent and descent.

You head to the coast today, with a choice of longer (34 km / 21 mi) or shorter (23 km / 14,5 mi) routes, 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 / 21 mi, 250 m ascent, 370 m descent.

Shorter route: 23 km / 14,5 mi, 125 m ascent, 250 m descent.

Your arrangement comes to an end after breakfast today. Taxi transfers to Jerez, Seville or Málaga airport can be arranged.