Road cycling facts
- Road cycling routes in and around Andalusia
many
- Best time to travel
end of February to May and September/October
- Flight connections
Edelweiss tips:
Sea or mountains? Easy or challenging? There are some fabulous road cycling opportunities near Jerez de la Frontera, with a variety of terrain and routes – from flat, leisurely rides along the coast to challenging tours in the hilly, mountainous hinterland. Just like in many other countries, use of a mobile phone and alcohol consumption when cycling is forbidden in Spain. Lights, reflectors and a (functioning) bicycle bell are compulsory. While the legal requirement to wear a helmet only applies to children under the age of seven, wearing a helmet is generally advised. Note that cycling in public transport lanes is forbidden in cities.
Top road cycling routes around Jerez de la Frontera
Along the coast to the hippie mecca Medium
This leisurely cycling tour offers stunning landscapes with rocky coves, long sandy beaches and pine forests. The tour starts in the holiday resort of Novo Sancti Petri, located roughly 60 km from the airport, and leads through Conil de la Frontera. This charming fishing village is one of Andalusia’s most visited places in summer. Cyclists may want to stop for a stroll through the village and have a bite of some bluefin tuna – which the locals call red tuna – caught by hand on the Costa de La Luz. Note that the return route also passes through Conil de la Frontera. The tour continues via El Palmar de Vejer and Zahora to Los Caños de Meca, a legendary meeting point for the 1960s hippie movement: perched on a cliff, the seaside village consists of just one road and single-storey houses. To this day, Los Caños de Meca is considered a mecca for hippies, surfers, bon vivants and nature lovers – including nudists. The return ride back to Conil de la Frontera and Novo Sancti Petri is via the coastal town of Barbate and the village of La Zarzuela.
- Length of tour 5 h 5min
- Distance 115 km
- Ascent 910 m
- Descent -910 m
Via Jerez de la Frontera to the hinterland Difficult
The tour starts in Novo Sancti Petri, cycling to Puerto Real. The suburb of the provincial capital Cádiz is known for the historic part of town, which is surrounded by pine forests. The route continues to Jerez de la Frontera, which is a must-see city worth spending a night in (if not already included in your holiday plans). There are a host of landmarks that should not be missed – from the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art to the sherry distilleries. The next stop is in Medina-Sidonia: situated on a hill, this typical Andalusian village with its whitewashed houses is famous for sweet pastries, so a visit to a bakery is the perfect thing to do before getting back into the saddle for the return journey.
- Length of tour 5 h 10 min
- Distance 121 km
- Ascent 850 m
- Descent -850 m
Pure Andalusia Difficult
This tour is for advanced cyclists and adventurers, and starts in Jerez de la Frontera. The first stop is in Arcos de la Frontera, a city perched on an almost 200 m high sandstone ridge and surrounded by the Guadalete River on three sides. With dense forests and numerous thermal springs, the town of El Bosque is also well worth stopping at. The route continues to Grazalema, the centre of the eponymous natural park, and then continues on to Ronda. This mountain village sits on two sides of a gorge and offers breathtaking panoramic views. Ronda is the birthplace of bullfighting and home to the oldest bullring in the world.
- Length of tour 11 h 55 min
- Distance 239 km
- Ascent 3’310 m
- Descent -3’310 m
Small and lovely – for in between Medium
A short cycling trip to Cádiz from Jerez de la Frontera is a must and takes just over two hours. A leisurely stroll through the Old Town, a coffee at the beach, a visit to a museum, delicious food – Cádiz is holiday perfection. Cyclists who are not keen on mass tourism are advised to check the arrival times of cruise ships, as this is when large numbers of passengers pour into the city.
- Length of tour 2 h 15 min
- Distance 24,3 km
- Ascent 200 m
- Descent -200 m
Cycling holiday in Málaga Medium
Visitors who prefer to spend their cycling holiday on the Costa del Sol coast can opt to do so in Málaga, which takes 2½ hours to reach by car. This classic beach holiday destination is situated at the foot of the Montes de Málaga mountain range, which makes it an ideal gateway for road cycling tours. From easy to challenging, from flat coastline to uphill climbs more than 900 m high – this region has it all. It is recommended that cyclists are start with one of the easier routes, for instance, to Almogía. Almogía is one of the region’s most historically important towns and home to a wealth of archaeological remains from various cultures.
- Length of tour 2 h 20 min
- Distance 44,8 km
- Ascent 790 m
- Descent -790 m
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