Andalucian Cycling Experience - Biking holidays in Andalucia southern Spain. Road Cycling holidays, Mountain Bike Biking holidays, Leisure Cycling holidays , Triathlon & Winter Training Camps , Family Cycling Holidays a White Village Tour or Winter Cycling holidays. guided cycling vacations and self-led tours, short breaks, weekend trips, fortnights and more
Casa rural - Huerta la Terrona "Huerta la Terrona" with more than 300 years of history, offers a relaxing, welcoming atmosphere and all the modern conveniences our guests can expect in a contemporary Country House. A two story building with five large guest rooms, three on the upper floor and one on the main floor, affords maximum comfort for our guests. Each bedroom includes mattresses and linens of the highest quality, unique décor, a private bathroom, individual heating units and magnificent views of the Park, in particular of the mountain pass “Puerto de las Palomas”.
Welcome to the on-line guide to the Sierra de Grazalema, Sierra de las Nieves and los Alcornocales natural park areas. This web site is part guide, part weblog and is designed to help resident and visitor alike find out more about this amazing part of Western Andalucia. From where to walk and cycle to where to eat, sleep and visit. If you are looking for information about the white town of Ronda then we can highly recommend Ronda Today.
Below you'll find the latest entries on our blogs with regards to what's happening and when, general observations and day trip reports... Please feel free to leave a comment on any of them, feedback is important to us. If you are after a specific subject then click the individual blogs in the left column or use the search box.
Are you looking for a holiday home or hotel? Let us help. From the Information Centre in Grazalema we have a wide range of country houses, village houses and hotels at your disposal. Just use the contact form telling us what you are looking for and we'll arrange everything for you. Looking for an English speaking nature guide for the Sierra de Grazalema? We can arrange that too!
Would you like a Self Guided Walking Holiday in the stunning Sierra de Grazalema? Car hire, accomodation, the best Spanish cuisine and all the information you need to really explore this amazing natural park in western Andalusia.
Use the contact form above to find out more!
You can now buy the essential guidebooks and maps for getting the most out of your visit to Grazalema. Posted straight from our office here in Grazalema. Click here to go to our Amazon sales point... YOU DON'T PAY MORE!
This protected area consists of a large cluster of high limestone peaks that holds within it a range of ecosystems from sheer and colourful cliff faces to deep lush valleys, rich green forests to bleak white scree slopes. There are around 20 peaks above 1000m creating an impressively sculpted landscape, the highest being El Torreón at 1654m (5426 feet) which command fabulous views across the mountains and over to the plains of Cadiz province.
‘Grazalema has the highest rainfall records in Spain’, this is a phrase that is commonly found on the internet, but without further explanation could be very off putting to the holiday maker! Mountains will always alter their local climate where-ever they are in the world, and this is no exception. Note that only a few hours drive away at the eastern end of Andalucia is Europe’s only desert!
May is a fabulous time to walk, cycle or drive through these mountains as roadside verges, pastures and scrubland turn glorious colours with a varied selection of wild flowers. The springtime rains have ensured a vivid display and many plants compete for space in a hurry to flower and set their seeds before the ground dries out during the summer months. Hillsides can turn yellow with shrubby Retama, whereas the many meadows are a tapestry of pastel shades brimming with annuals.
On the 14th of April at 12pm the information centre in Grazalema will be holding the opening day of a very talented artist... Entitled "en la Sierra"... the exhibition will as usual be accompanied by wine tasting, music and the very best wholemeal bread (made from our very own antique flour mill)and olive oil... The exhibition runs for 6 weeks untill the24th of May.
Saturday March the 3rd sees another excellent exhibition of artwork from a very talented artist. Entitled "EL SENTIR DE CÁDIZ" by Nieves de los Santos. This lady has worked very hard over the last few months and has produced some amazing works around life in Cádiz province... beach scenes and the sierras meld with a distinctive flamenco theme...
Apart from the launch at 12 pm on Saturday the 3rd of March the exhibition runs for 6 weeks so there's plenty of time to take a peek....
When in Spain many people may wonder about scorpions, spiders and venomous snakes and will not be aware that they are much more likely to endanger themselves and their pets by getting too close to an innocent looking line of caterpillars that can be found crossing a pavement, road or footpath during the first months of each year. The pine processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) will, during late winter/early spring, be coming out of pine trees and forming conspicuoussnakelike lines.
January is a busy time for harvesting the olive fruit and during this same month the almond trees begin to flower. Slopes scattered with these stark black, wizened trunks which appear lifeless, quickly turn to delicate shades of soft pink. Although these are orchard blooms, they are very photogenic and especially pleasing to the eye when combined with the wildflowers of broad-leaved iris beneath.
Day 1 Wednesday 9th March Weather: Continuous rain Eight tour members met with Paul at Malaga airport, having arrived on three separate flights from London Gatwick, Exeter and Birmingham. We made our way from the arrivals hall to the multi-storey car park, to collect our minibus. Leaving the airport, we drove west and then north towards Alhaurin de la Torre, and on towards Cartama, where we joined the A355 in the direction of Campillos, turning left for Ronda just north of Ardarles. On the outskirts of Ronda, we turned onto the El Burgo road, and were soon arriving at the ‘Finca de Guzmana’, our base for the week. We were met by Peter, our host, who soon had us settled into our rooms. After freshening up, we met in the lounge for sherry and nibbles, before heading off for dinner at the local Venta la Codorniz.
The group met with the leader Paul at Malaga airport, having arrived from the UK by plane and train. We made our way from the arrivals hall to the multi-storey car park, where our minibus was waiting. Leaving the airport, we drove west and then north towards Alhaurin de la Torre, and onto the A357 towards Campillos. As we drove, House Martins and Swallows were much in evidence. Near the village of Teba, we turned south onto the A367 towards Ronda, stopping briefly for refreshments before continuing on to the Finca la Guzmana, our base for the next seven nights. Here we were met by Peter, our host. After freshening up, we met in the lounge for sherry and nibbles, before heading off for dinner at a local Venta la Codorniz.
The second of our artists for saturday the 10th is Paco Gil, a well known resident of Grazalema whose work reflects his love for the natural beauty of Sierra de grazalema.
Restaurant Al Lago, Zahara de la Sierra
A stunning setting with lake views from the terrace in which to enjoy a leisurely lunch, dinner or innovative tapas. Chef Stefan Crites, who trained in New York for many years, re-interprets some of Spain’s culinary classics with a creative and exotic touch using local organic vegetables, top quality meat and fresh fish from the markets in Cadiz.
Cortijo Valverde
Beautiful hotel with outstanding views of the surrounding countryside providing that special vacation destination for either a restful holiday, or a base from which to explore the many treasures that Andalucia and Inland Spain has to offer.
Las Truchas
Las Truchas is a small hotel with a home from home atmosphere, located in the quaint town of El Bosque. Explore the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and the White Towns Route (Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos) that are situated within easy reaching distance of this hotel. You can enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding landscape from the hotel rooms.
Hotel Fuerte Grazalema
Situated in the heart of the sierra de Grazalema natural park, Hotel Fuerte Grazalema is a paradise for outdoor walking enthusiasts and is set in oak woodlands 5 kilometres from the village of Grazalema. It makes an excellent base from which to discover this stunning part of western Andalucia
This protected area consists of a large cluster of high limestone peaks that holds within it a range of ecosystems from sheer and colourful cliff faces to deep lush valleys, rich green forests to bleak white scree slopes. There are around 20 peaks above 1000m creating an impressively sculpted landscape, the highest being El Torreón at 1654m (5426 feet) which command fabulous views across the mountains and over to the plains of Cadiz province.
‘Grazalema has the highest rainfall records in Spain’, this is a phrase that is commonly found on the internet, but without further explanation could be very off putting to the holiday maker! Mountains will always alter their local climate where-ever they are in the world, and this is no exception. Note that only a few hours drive away at the eastern end of Andalucia is Europe’s only desert!
May is a fabulous time to walk, cycle or drive through these mountains as roadside verges, pastures and scrubland turn glorious colours with a varied selection of wild flowers. The springtime rains have ensured a vivid display and many plants compete for space in a hurry to flower and set their seeds before the ground dries out during the summer months. Hillsides can turn yellow with shrubby Retama, whereas the many meadows are a tapestry of pastel shades brimming with annuals.
When in Spain many people may wonder about scorpions, spiders and venomous snakes and will not be aware that they are much more likely to endanger themselves and their pets by getting too close to an innocent looking line of caterpillars that can be found crossing a pavement, road or footpath during the first months of each year. 
January is a busy time for harvesting the olive fruit and during this same month the almond trees begin to flower. Slopes scattered with these stark black, wizened trunks which appear lifeless, quickly turn to delicate shades of soft pink. Although these are orchard blooms, they are very photogenic and especially pleasing to the eye when combined with the wildflowers of broad-leaved iris beneath.
Day 1 Wednesday 9th March
Day 1 Wednesday 16th March