This is one of the best mountain bike rides in the Grazalema Nature Park. It’s perfect for cyclists, with the first part taking us past various country houses and past pine and cork oak trees, before quickly reaching the large Terrazgos meadow where we cross the Río Campobuche River or Gaduares.
We peddle along a track with constant but gentle ups and downs, and if we look behind there’s a splendid view of the main and highest mountains in the Park: The Sierra del Endrinal to the left with the Cumbre del Reloj peak (1,535 m) and the Sierra del Pinar to the right with the Cerro de San Cristóbal (1,525 m). From here we begin to climb up to the Puerto de la Mesa, leaving to the left the entrance to several cattle farming estates. We then go back into a thick cork oak wood, where the Eurasian Nuthatch is the star of the many ornithology trips here, outlined in an explanatory notice here, before reaching the mountain pass.
At this point the Sierra del Caíllo appears before us, with its peak Navazo Alto (1,395 m). Before us is a sharp descent to the village of Villaluenga del Rosario, the highest (872 m) and least populated (650 inhabitants) in the province of Cadiz; it’s worth stopping to take a look, especially at its interesting quadrangular Bull Ring. The journey back to the Hotel is along the narrow road to Grazalema under the rocky farallones of the Sierra del Endrinal. There’s a bit of a climb at the beginning until we reach the Puerto de Pedro Ruiz and a long downhill stretch to the Puerto de Los Alamillos.
This is part of the Vías verdes (Green Ways) of Andalusia, where trains never passed. The route is through the slopes of the southern-most mountain ranges on the Iberian Peninsula, through the villages of Olvera and Puerto Serrano. This exceptional route, which goes right along the banks of many rivers, takes in places as spectacular as the Peñón de Zaframagón, one of the most populated Griffon Vulture reserves in Europe.
From Grazalema we go towards Zahara de la Sierra, beginning with a fairly steep climb of some 5km which affords excellent views of Grazalema. When we reach the junction we head towards El Bosque, which heralds a rather dangerous descent due to the loose gravel on the road.
After passing the Llanos del Campo, a recreational area to the right, there’s a valley through which the River Bosque passes, and then Benamahoma.
After a sharp curve there’s a junction to the right. We descend through the village and head towards the exit in the same direction to El Bosque. From here we begin a descent along the river, always keeping to the river path. Caution is needed as some stretches are so narrow bikes have to be carried.
After a good stretch, we arrive at a well-tended path in front of the El Bosque Youth hostel, then take a left and reach the village, after a long slope.
Leaving Zahara de la Sierra we head towards Grazalema, and immediately begin a moderate climb before seeing the Zahara reservoir and the Sierra de Lijar with Algodonales on its slopes.
We keep climbing and get to see the Sierra del Pinar with its Pinsapos or Spanish Firs, a traditional and well-protected tree.
A little later there’s a track to the right from which we can see the entrance to Garganta Verde, a narrow pass which acts as a “drainage pipe” for the sierra.
From here we start to see the true slope and curves of las Palomas, and should take it easy on the spectacular 180 degree bends, whilst the climb reveals ever more spectacular landscape.
Once we reach the top and the best views, the descent begins into Grazalema, offering more views of Pico del Reloj and the Simancón.