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
El-Andaluz House Rentals and Sales
Self catering Watermill and village houses in the white village of Grazalema, at the heart of the Parque Natural "Sierra de Grazalema". Stunning country side. Selected houses also for sale
The Tourist Information Centre in Grazalema opens its doors under new management.
The Sierra de Grazalema is one of the oldest designated natural park areas in Spain and the village of Grazalema, being at its geographic centre, needs an information resource for the huge number of visitors that head for Grazalema first and foremost when entering the park area. It is logical after all, that Grazalema would have the most information available as it is the namesake of the very parkland, the Sierra de Grazalema. The "official" Grazalema information centre that we have just opened will provide items needed for all types of visitors interested in the natural world, gastronomy, culture and activities available in the area.
The idea that Clive and I would do the "Palomas Challenge" 40 kilometre walk started as a bantering tableside suggestion (which I readily agreed to -- if I could take on *Torreon* I could do anything, right?) The idea quickly snowballed into a hearty discussion about proper foot wear and snacks for a walk of that magnitude. The suggestion came out Saturday night at dinner, and the very next morning we set off! Our route, I was told, would take us from Clive & Sue's house, down to and around the Zahara lake, then turn upwards near el pueblo de Zahara for a slow ascent to the Puerto de las Palomas before heading downhill through Grazalema and back to the house.
Whilst out and about in the countryside here in Andalucia, you are bound to come across a variety of signs and notices telling you what kind of area you are in or whether you are about to stray onto private land. You may find signs telling you to "keep out!!" or to "Please close the gate". More and more fences are going up and access to land is being restricted. In some cases trails and paths are closed and directional signs taken down illegally. Basically the rules to follow, whether on horseback, walking or cycling in the countryside are: 1. have an up to date map with the footpath shown and 2. don't go through a gate that has a "Propiedad Privada" sign on it.
Walking in Western Andalucia is an incredibly rewarding experience. Whether it is to enjoy the stunning scenery, searching for particular plants or enjoying photography and birdlife the Sierras offer something for everyone.
Even if you are familiar with the area there are still some essentials in order to be properly prepared for a hike into the hills.
Someone has turned up the heating here in the Sierra de Grazalema with the rain and cool of the spring seemingly a distant memory... Temperatures are up in the high thirties and the forecast is for more intense heat yet to come which will certainly take us into the forties! The green fields and colourful meadows have changed to dusty soil as the summer does its work to dry seed heads and farmers do their work cutting for straw bales. Fields of coriander have run to seed and strolling amongst them gives a very pleasant aroma... (if you like a good curry that is :) )....
The new visitors centre has recently opened in the village of Grazalema. The 'Centro de Interpretación Turístico' can be found on the main car park, near to the viewpoint. It is open from Thursday to Sunday 10.00 until 14.00 (closing for lunch) and 17.00 until 19.00.
The "Colours of Grazalema" photographic exhibition is displayed on the ground floor and entry is free to see almost 100 colourful images of the wildlife of the area. This exhibition is a small selection of the images recorded by Clive and Sue who live near to Grazalema.
Dragonflies and damselflies are extremely beautiful insects which capture the very essence of summer as they perform their intricate aerobatics around the gleaming backdrop of rivers and pools on hot sunny days. They are reasonably easy to observe and are also important indicators of the health of our wetlands, being top insect predators both as airborne adults & aquatic larvae. For those with an interest in photographing these insect jewels, August is definately the best month and the Grazalema area itself is stunning at this time of year. Many people avoid the area due to the intense heat of the summer (which may be hovering around the high 30's and low 40's) so you'll have the countryside pretty much to yourself. The scent of hot pine resin, gum cistus and the baked appearance of the area is quite different from the spring wild flower season just a few months earlier and is an experience in itself.
Information Centre of Grazalema to close. (But a new one has now opened May 2009!)
Grazalema village lies at the heart of the park, the park is even named after it; Sierra de Grazalema. And yet very soon, December 15th of 2008, it will not have a visitor / information centre open for the many tourists who wish to buy maps - guides and ask about walks, museums, hotels, restaurants and other villages.
UPDATE! May 2009.....Great to see the opening of the new visitor centre in Grazalema... It still needs work but it's getting there.
At 7am we left the house with rucksacks on and a jumper against the cool night air. Pitch black outside we left our driveway and joined the road accompanied by owl calls and saw several shooting stars in the clear night sky. Sunday October 5th, the date that Ashley had set for his first Las Palomas cycling challenge! Neither of us being keen cyclists we opted to support the day by walking the same route. A 39 kilometre circuit from our house, down to the Zahara lake, along the road to Zahara, up the mountain to the Puerto de las Palomas, down the other side to Grazalema and then back to our house.
Ok, so I have been telling people I'm going to do it "one day soon" for nearly two years! I look out on it (or rather up to it) from my office window. I have driven over it, walked around it and up it.. I have even looked down on it from the Coros side and the Pinar side but I have never ridden a bicycle to it... El Puerto de las Palomas. "The Doves Gateway" is the mountain pass on the road from Grazalema to Zahara de la Sierra and yes, I finally did it!
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.
Villa Turistica Grazalema
This hotel is located 500 metres from the charming village of Grazalema, a place characterised by its whitewashed façades, its narrow and windy streets and set in the centre of the natural park
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.
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
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.
Wildsides Diary 
The Tourist Information Centre in Grazalema opens its doors under new management. 
The idea that Clive and I would do the "Palomas Challenge" 40 kilometre walk started as a bantering tableside suggestion (which I readily agreed to -- if I could take on *Torreon* I could do anything, right?) The idea quickly snowballed into a hearty discussion about proper foot wear and snacks for a walk of that magnitude. The suggestion came out Saturday night at dinner, and the very next morning we set off! Our route, I was told, would take us from Clive & Sue's house, down to and around the Zahara lake, then turn upwards near el pueblo de Zahara for a slow ascent to the Puerto de las Palomas before heading downhill through Grazalema and back to the house.
Walking in Western Andalucia is an incredibly rewarding experience. Whether it is to enjoy the stunning scenery, searching for particular plants or enjoying photography and birdlife the Sierras offer something for everyone.
Someone has turned up the heating here in the Sierra de Grazalema with the rain and cool of the spring seemingly a distant memory... Temperatures are up in the high thirties and the forecast is for more intense heat yet to come which will certainly take us into the forties! The green fields and colourful meadows have changed to dusty soil as the summer does its work to dry seed heads and farmers do their work cutting for straw bales. Fields of coriander have run to seed and strolling amongst them gives a very pleasant aroma... (if you like a good curry that is :) )....
Dragonflies and damselflies are extremely beautiful insects which capture the very essence of summer as they perform their intricate aerobatics around the gleaming backdrop of rivers and pools on hot sunny days. They are reasonably easy to observe and are also important indicators of the health of our wetlands, being top insect predators both as airborne adults & aquatic larvae. For those with an interest in photographing these insect jewels, August is definately the best month and the Grazalema area itself is stunning at this time of year. Many people avoid the area due to the intense heat of the summer (which may be hovering around the high 30's and low 40's) so you'll have the countryside pretty much to yourself. The scent of hot pine resin, gum cistus and the baked appearance of the area is quite different from the spring wild flower season just a few months earlier and is an experience in itself.
At 7am we left the house with rucksacks on and a jumper against the cool night air. Pitch black outside we left our driveway and joined the road accompanied by owl calls and saw several shooting stars in the clear night sky. Sunday October 5th, the date that 
Ok, so I have been telling people I'm going to do it "one day soon" for nearly two years! I look out on it (or rather up to it) from my office window. I have driven over it, walked around it and up it.. I have even looked down on it from the Coros side and the Pinar side but I have never ridden a bicycle to it... El Puerto de las Palomas. "The Doves Gateway" is the mountain pass on the road from Grazalema to Zahara de la Sierra and yes, I finally did it!