From Ronda to Algeciras: a mountain bike ride through the Natural Parks of Cádiz

The south of Spain is a land that deserves to be known by bike and without a watch. If you are a handlebar and bike enthusiast activities in the nature, pack light luggage to explore some of the most spectacular and least known landscapes in Andalusia, the Natural Parks of Cádiz.

Mountain bike routes rightly scare those who don't take well to overexertion. But this is not the case of the one we invite you to do, whose route is suitable for anyone with an adventurous spirit. If you are one of them, you are qualified to travel the itinerary that connects the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park with the Los Alcornocales Natural Park, two unique landscapes located between Cádiz, Málaga and the Strait of Gibraltar.

He Hozgarganta River runs through the jungles of Cádiz © Jimenato 06

Linking the Bull route with the White Villages route in stages surrounded by nature is a magnificent travel option. Especially in autumn, given the softness of the temperature. If it also rains, each stage is a joy.

To explore this unique Mediterranean oasis, Nattule offers you a spectacular mountain bike journey to do in seven stages:  

1. From Ronda to Grazalema, the doors of the Serranía

What better place to start this tour than Ronda, one of the entrance routes to the Natural Parks of Cádiz. The hidden corners of this Malaga town, its history and its location make it one of the most beautiful cities in Andalusia. You can start this day mid-morning, since the first contact with the bike is quite easy and you don't have to pedal much to get to Grazalema, from which only about 28 kilometers separate you.

Once you have regained your strength with a mountain breakfast and checked your luggage, prepare water and a snack for the road.

Ronda, chosen point to start this tour © Luís Pinto

From the train station, go to the access road that connects with Montejaque, the A-374. You will find the GR7-Camino Viejo de Ronda and you will already be pedaling in the heart of the Grazalema Natural Park. The limestone masses of the Mures mountain range will be your companions for much of the way and as you surround them you will begin to descend towards Montejaque. After leaving the Escarihuela hermitage behind, and after a dizzying stretch of curves, you will arrive at the town of Montejaque. It is possible that this section of descent towards the town is in poor condition so prepare the brakes, take it easy and enjoy the descent.

When you arrive at the enclave where Montejaque is located, you will understand why it is known as the Hidden Town: a small town protected by large rock rocks. You should not miss the Hundidero and Gato cave system, listed as a Natural Monument, which is less than 4 kilometers from the town, very close to the town of Benaoján. You will be able to know them first hand with this guided activity through the caves of the Serranía de Ronda.

Cat Cave © iRobson

From Montejaque continue along the GR7, cross the MA-8403 road and take the detour to the left. This part of the path runs through the royal ravine of Campobuche. A curiosity of this area is the attempted construction of the Montejaque reservoir, which in the 1920s became the largest vault wall dam in Europe.

The course of the Campobuche River narrows as you approach Grazalema and the clear banks give way to thickets of gall oaks, oaks and riverside bushes.

Grazalema, a beautiful town in these mountain ranges © Carlos Javier García

The town of Grazalema is another town full of history of these mountain ranges and a perfect place to spend the night.

2. From Grazalema to Jimera de Líbar, a whim of geology

In this stage you will be able to enjoy one of the most famous enclaves of the Sierra de Grazalema. You must go to the A-372. A few meters away there is a detour to the right that will take you to the Cañada de las Diez Pilas.

You will arrive at the foot of the Lajares rocks and you will see an old crossroads next to the Álamos stream. You are in the area known as the Llanos del Republicano: plains that are a geological whim. To the right is the Peralto mountain range, with almost impenetrable cork oak forests and heaths, and to your left are the capricious geological formations of the Líbar and Mojón Alto mountain ranges. This place hides an underground treasure of galleries and chasms such as Republicano and Cabo de Ronda, an ideal space for caving lovers.  

The plains of Llanos del Republicano © Patricia

From here you can connect with the royal gorge of the Oxeyes of Ronda that will take you to the crossroads with the Plaza de Toros stream. Here you have two options: head towards Villaluenga and Ubrique and finish your stage there, or take the road towards the port of Correo and the Llanos de Líbar. It is an area included within the Network of European Long-Distance Trails GR7-E4 that links Tarifa and Atenas. On the steep climb, it will be necessary to get off the bicycle and carry it until reaching the top of the pass. The fatigue is worth it.

Views from the top of the Correo port © Javier Barba

The route runs through several farms where cattle graze freely. There is no danger. Open and close the fences and that's it. This area of the mountains is famous for housing goats of a breed endemic to these mountains, whose milk is used to make one of the best organic cheeses on the Iberian Peninsula.

From here it is only a few kilometers to Cortes or Jimera. You will only have to go down and you will reach the MA-841 road. They are towns full of charm, where time seems to stand still. Consequently, the tourist who visits them seeks tranquility and nature.  

If on another occasion you want to explore the mountains in a different way, you can dare with this hiking route through Grazalema accompanied by mules that will help you transport your luggage.

3. From Jimera de Líbar to Gaucín, Africa in sight

From Jimera you must leave through the northern part of the town in search of the railway line. The route on this part of the road is hard, but less than the next section, which is just when you leave the municipality of Cañada del Real Tesoro.

Surroundings of the Líbar mountain range © Chito

From Cañada you must continue along the Camino de los Puertos, which runs through groves of holm oaks, carob trees, chestnut trees and mastic trees until it connects with the royal canyon of Gibraltar. When you reach a crossroads you must take the direction of Puerto de las Eras. Once you cross the port you will reach the viewpoints of Guadiaro and Africa, with privileged panoramic views of the Natural Parks of Cádiz and the Strait of Gibraltar. You are in an area with a high influx of birds of prey and you can enjoy a magnificent show if you decide to come at the end of summer.

Mules carrying cork (Natural Parks of Cádiz)

It is possible that, faced with the network of trails in this area of artisanal cork oak extraction, you may not be sure which direction to take. Don't worry: you will find several farmhouses and rural accommodations in these places where you can ask for information or rest. They are a good option if you decide to spend the night here.

Arrival in Gaucín © Hotel Las Buitreras

In any case, all these tracks end on the A-369 highway, which connects Benarrabá with Gaucín. If you plan to continue, in a few minutes you will arrive at one of these two beautiful towns in Cadiz.

4. From Gaucín to La Sauceda, the cathedral of the ravines

Take strength for a spectacular stage. The journey ahead is as demanding as it is rewarding. The best option is to get up early and head west, where you will find a lane that goes up towards the hills of Montoro known as the Camino de la Claridad and that will take you to El Colmenar.

Views of El Colmenar © Hotel Las Buitreras

As you well know, the best way to get to know a natural area is to leave the roads and enter it. In the final part of this stage you will enjoy a splendid forest of oaks, chestnut trees, carob trees, strawberry trees and holly trees. You will also visit one of the most important cork oak forests in the world, which gives its name to this Natural Park.

Another spectacle of Los Alcornocales is the flowering of rhododendrons, here called ojaranzos, which are located in the most humid and sheltered areas of the groves and add a touch of color every spring. When you tour these places you will understand why in the Middle Ages it was said that a squirrel could travel from the Pyrenees to Gibraltar without touching the ground.

When you reach a crossroads, take the left detour that will take you to the Huerta del Peso. Then it connects with the road that goes to El Colmenar. It is the perfect place to make a stop.

You cannot leave El Colmenar without visiting the area of the Cañón de las Buitreras and the Puente de los Alemanes, nestled in an imposing gorge carved by the waters of the Guadiaro River. Getting there is somewhat difficult and you will have to walk in some sections with the bicycle on your shoulders. The axis of this place, of great beauty, is a gorge that exceeds 100 meters deep. There are those who call this area the Cathedral of the ravines of Andalusia.

Buitreras Canyon © Hotel Las Buitreras

Returning to El Colmenar, and before continuing towards the Hozgarganta River, it is recommended that you stock up on provisions for dinner and breakfast, since although there is a small business in La Sauceda, it is always better to be cautious. The MA-512 highway connects with the town of El Robledal. A couple of kilometers away, in Puerto Zarco, a path turns off that winds for several kilometers between cork oaks, holm oaks and shade trees.

Road to La Sauceda (Natural Parks of Cádiz)

In this area of the mountains the altitude almost reaches 950 meters, so it doesn't hurt to wear some warmer clothing. You may need it. From this point to the Hozgarganta riverbed, the path is a continuous descent that will allow you to enjoy the landscape and the spectacular watercourse even more.

Village of La Sauceda © Sergio Vera Trujillo

Finally you will connect with the C-3331 highway which, after passing the Pasadallana gorge, takes you to the small town of La Sauceda, abandoned after the Civil War. Today, converted into a recreational area, it is a perfect place to spend the night in cozy stone cabins located in the middle of nature. You must previously book at the Cortes de la Frontera Town Hall.

5. From La Sauceda to Alcalá de los Gazules, the last Andalusian jungles

This is, without a doubt, the hardest stage of your entire mountain journey through the Natural Parks of Cádiz. The climb to the Aljibe peak is difficult at times and you will have to put foot on the ground and carry the bike in some sections, but the panoramic views once you reach the 1,090 meters of this peak will compensate for the effort.

To begin, you must go to the bicycle path that starts from the road right at the entrance to the recreational area. The moment you enter these places you will instantly understand that it is a special place with lush vegetation, as if taken from more northern latitudes.

The green carpet of the trees © Luisdefran

You will be surprised by the covering of lichens, mosses, vines and parasitic plants that surrounds the trees, many of them included in the catalog of Unique Trees and Groves of Andalusia. As you gain altitude you will notice that the thick trees give way to windswept areas with hardly any vegetation. If you do this route between September and October, keep your eyes and ears wide open, as it is a privileged enclave for enjoy the rut in Spain.

In the vicinity of the Aljibe peak there is a promontory of rocks that hides a place known as the Queen's Pool. It is said that Isabel La Católica bathed there while the Spanish armies took this area on their way to the city of Granada.

Panoramic views from the Aljibe peak © Sergio Vera Trujillo

A few meters further on you will find the Aljibe geodesic point. If the day allows it and it is clear, you will have incredible panoramic views of the Strait of Gibraltar, the Mediterranean and even North Africa. From here begins a progressive descent that crosses the spectacular Puerto Oscuro gorge, where you will find small torrents of water encased in narrow valleys and forming gallery forest masses, typical of this Natural Park. These areas are the last strongholds of peninsular laurel forest, a botanical treasure of this area of Andalusia.

Los Alcornocales Thickets © Aitor

Finally, you will arrive at the Picacho nature classroom, where you can stop along the way. A few kilometers further on is Alcalá de los Gazules, a beautiful Cadiz town located at the western end of Los Alcornocales, the chosen point to spend the night.

6. From Alcalá de los Gazules to Valdevaqueros, descent to the coastal paradise

It is not logical to travel through the interior of the province of Cádiz and not visit its beaches. Only fifty-few kilometers separate you from the heart of Los Alcornocales. Therefore, for this day change gears and take a small detour that will take you to one of the best beaches in Andalusia: Valdevaqueros and Punta Paloma.

It is advisable to get up early, since you have to leave behind the heights of the mountains of the Natural Park to reach the lowlands that surround the coast. You must head to the road that crosses Alcalá on its western side, the A-375. After leaving the town center behind, head towards the hermitage of Los Santos, located approximately 2 kilometers away. From there leaves a track known as Padrón de las Torrecillas, practically flat, which connects with Benalup and surrounds the Barbate reservoir.

A stop along the way © Ruben

Until you reach Benalup you will cross an area of meadows and fields that are interspersed with masses of trees. Benalup is a small municipality that brims with history in each of its corners and one of the gateways to the Sierra de Cádiz. From there you must go to the access to the Dos Bahías Greenway, which runs between pastures, crops and fields of wind turbines framed in the foothills of the Blanquilla and del Niño mountain ranges.

Road to Facinas © Pablo

This greenway will take you through the center of the Campo de Gibraltar region, to reach the municipality of Facinas and from there to the Salaviciosa and Fates mountains.

The climb is demanding, since in just 7 kilometers you will ascend almost 550 meters. You can cool off in the Chorrito fountain before continuing and admire the views of the Moroccan coast: they are spectacular.

Furthermore, from these strategic watchtowers you will be able to contemplate, if the day is good, the spectacle of the migration of large gliding birds and birds of prey to the African continent. The most common to see are the stork, the vulture, the Egyptian vulture, the booted eagle, the honey buzzard and the short-toed eagle. With this bird migration observation activity in Tarifa You will be able to meet many of them.

Views of the African coast © PabloGF

Once you top the mountains you will descend to the beaches of Valdevaqueros and Punta Paloma. The best reward for your effort will be a dip in these beaches of fine sand and immense horizon.

Entrance to Punta Paloma beach © PabloGF

Take a walk in the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset and, why not, stop at any of the bars and venues on the beach.

7. From Valdevaqueros to Algeciras, the doors of the Mediterranean

On the last day, only 50 kilometers separate you from Algeciras. Head from Valdevaqueros to the town of La Peña. Once there, take the track that leads to the CA-9210 and that leads to Cañada de la Jara. You will have entered the heart of Los Alcornocales Park again.

Valdevaqueros Beach © José David Expósito

This is a road with little vehicle traffic. The path, which ascends gently, is not hard. Pedal along the CA-2215 that turns to the right to reach the village of Caheruelas, a place almost unknown to most people that hides a complex of dolmens more than 5 millennia old. Furthermore, from this area the panoramic views of the embrace between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic are unique.

Last pedaling before reaching Algeciras © Fonsy Delgado

About 10 kilometers from the village you will find a lane that deviates to the left and reaches Algeciras, the end point of this exciting adventure. This cosmopolitan and seafaring city, the link between two continents, is the gateway to the Mediterranean.

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Close your eyes and imagine that Barça signs you or that Obama asks you for advice. Now open your eyes, grab the bike and head towards the Natural Parks of Cádiz. There, surrounded by forests, rocks and water, you won't have to imagine that you are important. Nature always makes man the protagonist.

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