Road cycling - Ronda & the white villages

Today, you arrive in Ronda, likely traveling via Malaga, which is just over an hour’s drive away. Along the way, you’ll notice the diverse landscape—rolling green hills, densely wooded mountain slopes, canyons, and striking rock formations. Ronda itself is a delightful town, vibrant with shops, restaurants, and terraces. It’s also steeped in history, boasting a charming old town, Moorish palaces, and Spain’s oldest bullring. The iconic bridge spanning the Tajo Gorge is a sight you may already recognize from photographs.

Today, you can choose between: Ronda-Setenil-Arriate (45 km, 830 m+) or Ronda-Setenil-Olvera (75 km, 1,400 m+).
Both routes begin with a steady climb northwards.

The shorter option passes by an ancient Roman theater and quickly reaches the spectacular village of Setenil, a truly unique place where houses and rocks seamlessly merge. Be sure to take a break at one of the terraces here.

The longer option continues further north on a beautifully undulating road through rolling hills, offering stunning views of Olvera, a prominent village perched atop a hill—a characteristic feature of this region. After Olvera, the route descends into a valley before reaching Setenil.

From Setenil, both routes feature a long final climb to a low pass. The shorter route then takes quiet backroads with a few additional climbs, passing through hamlets and the village of Arriate before returning to Ronda. The longer route includes a small detour. Once back in Ronda, you can unwind on a terrace and savor your achievement.

Today, you can choose between: a round trip to El Burgo (52 km, 1,100 m+) or Ronda-Cuevas-Serrato-El Burgo (72 km, 1,400 m+).

Your ride takes you to the charming white village of El Burgo. The route winds through an expansive pine forest, involving a fair amount of climbing. The longer option adds a loop through two additional small white villages. El Burgo is an excellent spot for lunch—a good meal is recommended, as you’ll need energy for the second half of the stage.

The highlight of the day is the rugged Puerto del Viento (Pass of the Wind), a climb that starts gently but becomes progressively steeper. The landscape becomes more barren, with views of the Sierra de las Nieves mountains in the distance. Once at the pass, you’ll spot Ronda, which you’ll reach after an exhilarating descent. You’ll spend your third and final night in Ronda for now.

Today is not a loop ride but a point-to-point stage. You leave Ronda and head towards your overnight stop in Grazalema. Both routes are varied and almost entirely on quiet, small roads with constant ascents and descents. After a small pass, the road descends for a long stretch, offering beautiful views of Montecorto (short route) or Setenil and Olvera (long route).

The longer option revisits Setenil, as on Day 1. After passing through Setenil, there are a few steep sections before you arrive in the picturesque Montecorto. From here, you can already see the Sierra de Grazalema in the distance. Both routes then follow one of the most scenic winding roads in the region, leading you to Grazalema.

This white village is a gem, nestled at the base of the natural park with its rocky peaks and lush surroundings. Here, a comfortable hotel awaits, offering a restful end to your journey.

Today offers a scenic cycling route through several white villages and the stunning Grazalema Natural Park. If you prefer, you can take a rest day or enjoy a peaceful hike in the area.

The cycling stage takes you through Villaluenga to Benaocaz, where the shorter route turns back. The longer option continues via Ubrique to El Bosque, a lively village with plenty of bars and restaurants, making it a perfect spot for a break.

Afterwards, the route climbs to the unique mountain village of Benamahoma and further up to the renowned Puerto del Boyar, a pass that has featured multiple times in the Vuelta a España. A perfect mix of nature, culture, and physical challenge!

Today, you once again have the option of a cycling day or a rest day. The area is perfect for hiking or even swimming if you’re looking to relax.

For those opting to cycle, the day begins with a descent to the reservoir of Zahara, home to another iconic white village. On the charming village square, with its picturesque church, you’ll find plenty of terraces for a coffee break.

From Zahara, the challenge begins: the longest climb in the region, the famous Puerto de las Palomas. This climb starts with gentle gradients but becomes significantly steeper towards the top. The breathtaking views, however, make the effort worthwhile. After reaching the summit, enjoy a thrilling and speedy descent back to the village square of Grazalema.

Today, you cycle back to Ronda on your final day of riding. It’s a challenging route but incredibly rewarding. The journey begins with a breathtaking canyon leading to the charming white village of Montejaque. From there, a quiet road winds past rock formations to Jimena de Líbar, followed by a climb through a serene, lush valley where solitude reigns.

For the shorter route, Atajate is the last village before Ronda—a perfect spot for a break. From there, the road steadily ascends to a pass, though the gradient is gentle.

The longer route takes an additional loop through a stunning valley with sweeping views and several white villages. As you approach Ronda, the terrain becomes more rugged, culminating in an exhilarating descent. You re-enter Ronda via the historic San Francisco district, ready to enjoy one final evening and night in this lively and historic town.

Your cycling week has come to an end, and your legs are sure to feel much stronger after all the climbing.
A taxi (additional cost) can take you back to Malaga for your return flight, or you might choose to extend your stay in Spain.

• We offer this road cycling holiday in various variants, so you can always choose the duration that suits you.
• You can find these variants here:
  Road cycling- Ronda & White villages tour (long weekend) – 6 days
  Road cycling – Ronda & the white villages – 8 days
  Road cycling – Ronda & White villages tour – 8 days
• Would you prefer to add extra nights or shorten the trip slightly? You can always inform us. We are happy to think along with you to put together the trip exactly as you want it.

• For the difficulty level of this tour, we base this on the shorter distances. If the longer distances with more elevation gain are chosen, then the difficulty level is 4/5.
• Difficulty level 3 for road cycling means that it is well manageable for the regular road cyclist. There may be 1 or 2 days where the ride is somewhat longer and more challenging. On average, distances are between 75 and 100 kilometres per day and between 750 and 1500 metres of elevation gain per day.

• Ronda is located at a high altitude and therefore has a cooler and slightly wetter climate than many other parts of Andalusia.
  • Ideal months: March to June and September and October.
  • Less suitable: July and August; the high temperatures make cycling less comfortable. In winter it is often too cold and wet.
• Here you can find exactly when it is most pleasant to cycle: Climate Andalusia
• For a broader overview, you can also take a look at our general climate page: Climate Spain

• You can reach Ronda from Málaga city centre and Málaga Airport. This can be done by train, bus or private transfer.
• The return journey from Ronda to Málaga works in the same way and with the same travel times.
  • From Málaga city centre, you travel by train to Ronda in approximately 2.45 hours (two transfers – first metro, then train). The bus takes approximately 3 to 4 hours (two transfers). Prefer speed and comfort? With a private transfer, you will be in Ronda in approximately 1.45 hours and this can be arranged through us.
  • From Málaga Airport, you reach Ronda by train in approximately 3 hours (two transfers – first metro, then train). By bus, the journey takes approximately 2.50 to 3.50 hours with one transfer. A private transfer is also possible; this will take you to Ronda in approximately 1.45 hours and can be arranged through us.
• For current metro and train times, please visit:
  Renfe (metro) and Renfe (train)
• For current bus times, please visit:
  Alsa