Mountain Biking the Pirates Coast, Alcornocales Nature Park & ‘Pueblos Blancos’

An exciting exploration by Mountain Bike of the beautiful National Parks, mountains, wild coastline & Moorish towns of Spains' southern Atlantic coast. Designed for recreational mountain bikers but enjoyed by all grades

This tour not available to UK tour operators

Fact File:

Trip outline:
Andalucia is best discovered by bike. Our tour here offers an exciting way to explore this little-known Atlantic coastline and its rich National Parks, and is a good introduction to off-road riding. An almost inexhaustible network of paths and cañadas (droving trails dating back to the Moorish occupation) allows us to cross an area of remarkably diverse flora, fauna and landscape. Our journey takes us along the cliff-tops overlooking North Africa, past Roman ruins and Barbary pirate watchtowers, through bull-breeding country and mediaeval Arab towns, and finally into Europe's largest oak forest. On the way we will be stopping at deserted beaches for a swim, exploring Cape Trafalgar, plunging into mountain streams and revitalising ourselves with excellent country cooking as diverse as barbecued sardines, chickpea and spinach soup, and roast wild boar. This is a perfect off-road adventure, with exhilarating descents, rivers, waterfalls and a fascinating wildlife of roe deer, badgers, otters, vultures and eagles.

Biking Profile:
We follow non-technical (though occasionally rough) tracks through woods, mountains and rolling country. The climbs are never very long and there is a downhill bias in the bigger mountains together with full vehicle support. Some off-road cycling experience is advisable and reasonable fitness is required. 6 days cycling, average 40km/day, 80% off-road, 95% vehicle support.

Example Itinerary:

Day 1 Meet airport. Transfer to Zahara de los Atunes. Welcome drinks and paella in a flower - filled courtyard. Hotel.

Day 2 Short transfer takes us to Tarifa, mainland Europe's southernmost town. Start riding from a high pass overlooking the straits of Gibraltar. Here we are as close to Africa as you can get, just 7km away from Morocco's coastline and the Rif mountains shimmering in the morning sun. Skirting the edge of the Alcornocales Natural Park and past a huge windfarm, we take an easy track downhill towards the coast. The white sand and blue sea contrast dramatically with the rugged hills around us. Picnic in a forest clearing and then return to Zahara through rolling pastureland and via a famous breeding farm where you will see some of the finest examples of the "fighting bullu. 43km, 85% off-road, 90% support vehicle (SV).

Day 3 We cross what was until recently Spain's largest lake, now sadly partly drained but still famous for its wildlife and birdlife. Storks,herons, partridges, pheasant, wildfowl and
foxes are common here, depending on theseason. At Benalup we cross the reservoir, a
watershed of the sierras we are now entering. Cattle grazing at the water's edge, wildfowl and vultures soaring above are regular sights. Enter an almost lost valley, home only to shepherds and their flocks. We end up at the foot of the sierras and the gateway to one of Europe's least-known but most fascinating forests. Transfer to our forest lodge in the Alcornocales Natural Park. Here there is a spring-fed swimming pool and an enormous log fire. SV lOO%, 80% off-road; 47km- Lodge.

Day 4 With stunning views across the world's largest oak forest we get an unsurpassed impression of our two day adventure in one of Spain's remotest wilderness areas. The Pico Algibe rises above us at over 1000m. Our route is shaded alternately by oak, cork oak and Mediterranean pine. Wild boar, roe deer, red deer and even mongoose are often seen. This part of the forest is also home to many birds of prey. Imperial eagles, short-toed eagles, buzzards and falcons are just some of the many we may see. Soaring griffon vultures are an almost constant presence. Lunch by a shady pool and continue our descent, finally passing through a unique sub-tropical forest of beech, rhododendron, damp conifer and jungle creeper, and home to an array of wildlife rarely seen due to the density of the forest. Transfer back to Alcala de los Gazules. SV 100%: 100% off-road; 43km.

Day 5 We transfer over the Puerto de Galiz and into the heart of the Natural Park. Today is a chance to hone the downhill skills you've been practising since the first day. Using the support vehicle we make two off-road descents totalling some 40km. Our descents today follow access tracks used primarily by the cork collectors, thoroughly known only to them and their mules! The strange, skinned appearance of the alcornoque (cork oak) will become a regular sight in the forest. We picnic by a shaded pool on the bank of the Hozgarganta river. Relaxing in the shade of giant eucalyptus trees many people like to swim in the clear refreshing water after lunch. Transfer to Puerto de Galiz. If your nerves can take it there is a 22km rolling road descent back to Alcala. SV 100% ; 100% off- road; 40km. (Optional road descent back t oAlcala 22km). Hotel.

Day 6 A short transfer takes us to Medina Sidonia. In the shadow of the great gothic façade of Medina's famous church we start our day's ride with a downhill through the town's narrow labyrinthine streets and Moorish arches. Passing by the Hermita de los Santos (Andalucia's oldest church, consecrated 1,300 years ago) we ride to Los Naveros, a typical Andalucian farming village. Heading towards the coast on superb quality tracks we arrive at the beach of El Palmar. In the shade of a 700 year old watchtower we picnic and swim in the usually crystal clear Atlantic waters. We arrive at the monument town of Vejer de la Frontera via farm tracks through rich arable land. SV 100%; 100% off- road; 45km. Hotel.

Day 7 Using a mixture of old droving trails we ride across the 'Dragon's back', a fabled hill with views on one side east towards Africa and the Straits of Gibraltar and on the other west over the Atlantic Ocean. This track takes us into the Las Brenas Natural Park, famous for its vivid green Mediterranean pines. Ride downhill through the park towards Los Canos, a small seaside resort with outstanding sandy coves where fresh water runs out of the sandstone cliffs straight onto the beach- Here we have a 'paella' lunch and the opportunity to relax on the beach and have a swim. After lunch we ride up on to Cape Trafalgar. This solitary headland overlooking the North African coastline is in danger of disappearing forever as the Atlantic Ocean washes away the cliffs upon which the old tower is standing. We ride back to Vejer via the farming hamlet of San Ambrosio and finish with a drink on Vejer's paseo from where the views verlook much of our week's riding. SV 90%; 65°fo off-road: 48km. Hotel.

Day 8 Breakfast & transfer to airport.