Day 1: Arrival in Granada
Depending on your arrival time you will be able to visit this beautiful city with its famous Alhambra (Arab palaces), try some typical “vino & tapas” and wander in the old silk market or the ancient Moorish Albayzin neighbourhood
Day 2: Granada to Alhama, 39 miles (62km)
Setting out from Granada, you cycle over gentle undulating terrain and through small villages to Alhama, once a very important town in the Nasrid Kingdom, now famous for its thermal baths. You can see the original cistern where its hot water, with medicinal properties, has been collected since times gone by. It is built on a Roman foundation and crowned by Moorish arches in the Caliphate style. You can have a bath in “El baño de la Reina” (Queens’ bath)
Day 3: Alhama to outside Periana, 26 miles (42km)
You leave Alhama and cycle to the “Boquete (gap) de Zafarraya”, a strange hole in the otherwise impenetrable mountains. You are now in the Axarquía region, with views of undulating hills and mountains south towards the Mediterranean. Follow a disused railway line in continuous descent to the town of Periana. Your accommodation for the night is situated between Periana and Alfarnatejo where you have a choice of 2 restaurants at a distance of 1 or 1.5 miles. If you would prefer not to go out in the evening
you have the option at this accommodation to prepare your own meal from ingredients provided by the owner for approximately 20 euros for a couple.
Day 4: Periana to Antequera, 28 miles (45km)
Today you cycle up and down through the Axarquia and its villages. A good climb (off-road) brings you close to the El Torcal Nature Reserve with its limestone mountains. Then you head down fast to Antequera, approaching this ancient town by its oldest and beautiful route of access, enjoying beautiful views of its white-washed houses and the Peña de los Enamorados (Lover’s Rock), named after a local legend about the impossible love of a young Christian man and a beautiful Moorish girl, driven to the top of the cliff by the Moorish soldiers. Rather than renounce their love, they chose to hurl themselves into the abyss.
 Day 5: Antequera to El Chorro or El Burgo, 20 or 42 miles* (32 or 67km)
In the morning you have some time to visit Antequera: the castle, the dolmens (megalithic tombs) of Menga, Viera and Romeral, the “Iglesia de Carmen”, etc. Afterwards you cycle over smooth hillocks through Holm oaks and olive groves, passing the Abdalajís Valley and its village, to El Chorro, a beautiful spot next to a lake, surrounded by mountains.
*Due to limitations in accommodation in this area we may have to adapt the route according to availability.
Day 6: El Chorro or El Burgo to Ronda, 38 or 17 miles* (60 or 27km)
Today the cycling is a little more challenging, although all on tarmac road. You start with a beautiful ride through a strange, lunar landscape to the villages of Ardales and El Burgo. Then you have to climb to the Puerto de los Vientos (Mountain pass of the Winds, 1190m), crossing the beautiful Sierra de las Nieves Nature Reserve. A long descent will bring you finally to the lively town of Ronda.
 Day 7: Departure from Ronda
After breakfast your journey comes to an end….
But if you wish to stay a bit longer, just book an optional night. Then you’ll have enough time to visit this romantic town, with Spain’s oldest bullring, three bridges over its spectacular gorge, Arab baths, old town wall and gates, its churches and palaces, interesting museums.... and at night you can go to an authentic flamenco show!
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Freedom Holiday
