Itinerary

This is a fully guided and supported 8 day cycling trip, professionally guided by Halcyon Cycling Holidays ride leader Phil, in Andalucia. Your hosts at Casa Olea are Tim and Claire.

With over 10 years experience of guiding on cycling tours both in Spain and Europe, Phil brings a wealth of knowledge and a range of skills to the role. He takes pride in delivering the best experience for clients. Showcasing not just the best routes but also giving an experience of the local culture. If he's not not guiding, he's always finding new areas to ride, whilst not forgetting the important cafe or lunch stop! Having come from a design background, he left the UK over six years ago and settled in Spain where he has built a wealth of cycling knowledge. He works with many tour operators and also operates his own bespoke tours. He said recently "I have a real passion for Spanish cycling and its wonderful culture. My other passions fit perfectly alongside cycling, with them being photography and coffee. I am really looking forward to help Halcyon guests enjoy the very best of Andalucia!"
Itinerary as follows:
Day 1 – Sunday 3 October 2027
Arrival in Malaga and Casa Olea, Andalucia, Spain
Arrival at Malaga airport and transfer to Casa Olea. You must prebook your transfer at the booking stage. We can transfer bags, bikes and cyclists. Further detail is provided in the additional information section. Please note the transfer will be in the afternoon. Otherwise, if you drive to Casa Olea your hosts will welcome you on the day. Ample car parking and bike storage is available.
After settling into your accommodation, an evening meal is included at the accommodation to welcome everyone on the trip.
Day 2 - Monday 4 October 2027
Ride to Zagrilla & Carcabuey, Andalucia (31 miles/65km, ascent 1968 feet/600m)
After breakfast, everyone will meet outside Casa Olea for a ride briefing by Phil, ride leader. It's important everyone checks over their bikes before starting the ride.
Today's ride is steady to challenging, grade 3 to 4 and final destination is Zagrilla and Carcabuey. It's a nice warm-up ride, via several local villages and great scenery. Zagrilla, often described as one of the most beautiful villages in the region, is perched higher up on the mountain and offers incredible, panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and olive groves. Its origins date back to the 10th century when it was built around natural water springs. It's an Andalucian delight! Coffee stop in Carcabuey village which is famous for its stunning olive groves, rugged limestone mountain landscapes, and rich historical heritage spanning from Roman times to its medieval Moorish fortress. Lunch stop in Priego de Cordoba. If needed, we have the option to extend our ride to add a good climb (featured on Vuelta de Andalucia) on the way back after Priego; but it adds approx. 5 miles to the overall ride.
On our return to Casa Olea, you will have the opportunity to relax, and enjoy a drink in the bar and an authentic evening meal.
Day 3 – Tuesday 5 October 2027
Ride to Baena & Zuheros, Andalucia with panoramic views! (47 miles/77km, ascent 4300 feet/1311m)
After breakfast, everyone will meet outside Casa Olea for a ride briefing by Phil, ride leader. It's important everyone checks over their bikes before starting the ride.
Today's ride is steady to challenging, grade 3 to 4 and final destination is Zuheros.
Highlights: This ride is a mixture of big panoramas, quiet backroads, local villages, passing by the Vadomojón reservoir and skirting the natural park on the way back. Coffee stop in Baena, lunch stop in Luque or Zuheros. Baena is a famous historic hillside town situated roughly 62 kilometres from the capital city of Córdoba, it sits gracefully on a limestone hill surrounded by a vast sea of olive trees, making it world-famous for its high-quality, designated-origin olive oil. In contrast, Zuheros is a picturesque mountain village widely celebrated as one of the traditional Andalucian pueblos blancos (white villages) and is officially recognised by the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain. This is a stunning ride full of surprises!
You will have the opportunity to relax, and enjoy a drink in the bar and an evening meal, as well as an authentic Olive Oil taster experience with your host Tim.
Day 4 – Wednesday 6 October 2027
Ride to Rute & Las Lagunillas (50 miles/82km, ascent 5643 feet/1720m)
After breakfast, everyone will meet outside Casa Olea for a ride briefing by Phil, ride leader. It's important everyone checks over their bikes before starting the ride.
Today's ride is challenging, grade 4 and final destinations are Rute and Las Lagunillas.
Highlights: Probably the most challenging but also one of the best rides of the trip - good to have before the rest day! Stunning scenery throughout, heading through the natural park and passing by the biggest peaks in the area (eg Pico Tiñosa). Coffee stop in Rute, lunch stop in Priego de Cordoba. Las Lagunillas is another charming white washed Andalucian village and is widely recognized as the gateway for hiking in Pico Tiñosa , which is the highest mountain peak in Cordoba. Rute is a municipality in the province of Córdoba. It lies between Iznájar to the South East, and Lucena to the North West. Its famous for its production of foodstuffs including dozens of different makes of anise and traditional Spanish hams.
On our return to Casa Olea, you will have the opportunity to relax, and enjoy a drink in the bar and an authentic evening meal.
Day 5 – Thursday 7 October 2027
Free day at Casa Olea, with option of shorter self-guide rides; self-guide walks from the property; or a day trip to Cordoba or you can enjoy the facilities at Casa Olea. Please note there is no meal at Casa Olea but you will have the opportunity to dine out at a local restaurant in the area with fellow guest on the cycling trip.
Day 6 – Friday 8 October 2027
Ride to Castil de Campos & Almedinilla (47 miles/77km, ascent 5500 feet/1643m)
After breakfast, everyone will meet outside Casa Olea for a ride briefing by Phil, ride leader. It's important everyone checks over their bikes before starting the ride.
Today's ride is challenging, grade 4 and final destination is Almedinilla.
Highlights: Very quiet backroads and big panoramas throughout, plus visiting Almedinilla. Coffee stop in Castil de Campos, lunch stop in Almedinilla. Castil de Campos is a beautiful white-washed village and a hidden gem, tucked away amongst vast olive groves .It is a peaceful, traditional Andalucian village offering quiet country life and the village features classic Spanish streets, narrow lanes, and whitewashed properties. Almedinilla is a charming and rustic Andalucian town, known affectionately as the "land of dreams", Almedinilla, is widely celebrated for its rich archaeological heritage, stunning olive groves, and traditional Andalucian architecture. Almedinilla holds a massive appeal for history enthusiasts due to two remarkably preserved ancient sites:
- Villa Romana "El Ruedo": A spectacular 1st-to-6th-century Roman villa complex. It features exceptionally high remaining walls, intact mosaic floors, and a grand dining room (triclinium). This site famously unearthed a world-renowned bronze statue of Hypnos (the Greek god of sleep).
- Poblado Íbero "El Cerro de la Cruz": One of the few low-age Iberian Peninsula settlements excavated in Andalusia, dating back to the 2nd century BCE.
- Historical-Archaeological Museum: Located in the town, this museum houses the extraordinary treasures discovered at both sites, including the original statue of Hypnos and ancient Iberian ceramics
On our return to the Casa Olea, you will have the opportunity to relax (you will have earned it after today's ride), and enjoy a drink in the bar and an authentic evening meal.
Day 7 – Saturday 9 October 2027
Final day ride to Luque and Cabra (49 miles/79km, ascent 4757 feet/1450m)
After breakfast, everyone will meet outside Casa Olea for a ride briefing by Phil, ride leader. It's important everyone checks over their bikes before starting the ride.
Today's ride is steady, grade 3 and final destinations are Luque and Cabra.
Highlights: This is a great final ride to end with, circling the natural park and including lots of pretty white washed Andalucian villages and beautiful scenery. Coffee stop in Luque or Zuheros and lunch stop in Carcabuey. In addition the ride offers the option to include a famous climb from La Vuelta (near Cabra) if the group wants a challenge but it adds an extra 10km to the route. Luque is a historic, picturesque town famous for its Andalucian white washed alleys, sweeping views of vast olive groves and famous multi-cultural frontier history. Cabra is a picturesque Andalucian town, known for its baroque architecture, natural water springs and rich production of olive oil and wine!
On our return to Casa Olea, you will have the opportunity to relax, and enjoy a drink in the bar and an authentic final farewell evening meal.
Day 8 – Sunday 10 October 2027
Return home
After breakfast, we will all say our goodbyes and depart for home. If you have booked the transfer, cyclists, bags and bikes will be transfered to Malag airport for the return home.
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