The western Costa del Sol

The Sierra de Mijas, an impressive mountain range in the immediate vicinity of the coast, reaches an altitude of 1,150 meters with the Pico Mijas. From here, there are spectacular views of the coast, which stretches from Málaga to Fuengirola. The charming village of Mijas Pueblo lies on the slopes of these mountains and is known for its picturesque beauty and well-preserved Andalusian architecture.

Mijas Pueblo looks back on a rich history that has been shaped by various cultures. In addition to the formative Moorish past, Romans, Phoenicians and Greeks have also left their mark on this tranquil town. The narrow, winding streets with their whitewashed houses and colorful flower arrangements convey the typical charm of an Andalusian mountain village.

One of the most striking attractions in Mijas Pueblo is the bullring and the famous donkey cabs, which once served as an important means of transportation and are now a popular tourist attraction. These traditional "burro cabs" are just as much a part of the townscape as the impressive panoramic views of the surrounding coast and the Sierra de Mijas.

The stage, which takes us from Alhaurín el Grande via Monda and Ojén to just before Marbella, runs along an excellent road that passes through two of the most impressive natural areas in the province of Málaga. It begins near Alhaurín el Grande, a charming little town with whitewashed houses and a typical Andalusian atmosphere, located at the south-eastern foothills of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park. From there, the route leads through picturesque rural surroundings, characterized by olive groves, cork oak forests and wide fields.

On the way to Monda, the road winds its way through hilly terrain and offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains time and again. Monda itself is a small, historic village known for its castle "Castillo de Monda", which towers high above the village and offers an impressive panoramic view of the surrounding area.

Continuing along the route, we reach Ojén, a picturesque mountain village nestled in the southern foothills of the Sierra Blanca. Ojén impresses with its narrow, cobbled streets, traditional white houses and its idyllic location in the middle of dense pine forests. The Sierra Blanca (white mountain range), which rises to the west of the route, is an impressive mountain massif, named after the light-colored marble rock found there. The highest peak, La Concha, rises majestically to 1,275 meters. The region is known for its deep gorges, steep slopes and unique vegetation, including the rare pinsapo, a type of fir tree native to Spain. These mountains, which are part of a protected biosphere reserve, offer dramatic views of the Costa del Sol and the Mediterranean Sea, which we finally meet at Marbella.

We ride above Marbella and follow the A7 coastal highway for a few kilometers before turning onto the spectacular A397. This road connects the elegant coastal town with the picturesque mountain town of Ronda and is considered one of the most popular motorcycle routes in southern Spain. Starting from around 15 meters above sea level, it takes us several times up to over 1,000 meters into the Sierra de las Nieves National Park. The well-developed road offers numerous winding sections and is also wide enough to ensure safe cruising. The varied and flowing bends make the route an ideal destination for motorcycle enthusiasts looking for a challenging yet scenic driving experience.

The Spanish government granted the Sierra de las Nieves the status of a national park in July 2021. This geographically unique area, which is characterized by steep mountains, partly snow-covered peaks (hence the name "snow mountains"), deep gorges and rocky streams, has been recognized as a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1995. The highest mountains in this area are Torrecilla (1,919 m), Enamorados (1,775 m) and Cerro Abanto (1,450 m).

If time permits, we extend our tour and explore the very winding valley of the Río Genal on our motorcycles. This remote area, often referred to as the "no man's land" in the deep gorges below the city of Ronda, offers a special route through the dense chestnut forests found in the Serranía de Ronda. The route takes us to the well-hidden village of Igualeja, one of the white villages of Andalusia, which lies in the middle of this impressive natural setting.

In Igualeja we visit the natural monument of the source of the Río Genal, where crystal-clear water gushes out of the rocks and makes its way through the valley. This spring is not only the source of the river, but also a symbol of the unspoiled beauty of the region. We are in the heart of a unique natural landscape, famous for its lush chestnut forests.

The sweet chestnut, known in this region as the "castaño", plays an important role in the local culture and cuisine. The forests are not only an impressive sight, especially in the fall when the leaves turn warm shades of gold and red, but also an important agricultural resource. Sweet chestnuts are used in many traditional dishes, especially at Christmas time, and are a prized Andalusian specialty. The journey through the valley of the Río Genal is therefore not only scenic, but also a cultural journey of discovery into the culinary traditions of the Serranía de Ronda region.

We leave the A397 and turn off below Ronda into a special region, the Serranía de Ronda. A fantastic motorcycle route leads along the southern foothills of the Riscos de Cartajima through the white villages of Júzcar, Faraján and Alpandeire and offers breathtaking views, deep gorges and dense sweet chestnut forests.

Due to their remoteness, the Serranía de Ronda and the Genal Valley were ideal havens for shady characters and failed existences who wreaked havoc as "bandoleros" - lawless highwaymen. These men, hunted by the police, were often romanticized by the population as heroes, even though they led a life of violence and lawlessness. Especially in the 19th century, the bandoleros spread terror by extorting ransom money, robbing carriages, murdering rich landowners and sometimes distributing their loot among the poor. Their reputation was so notorious that thrill-seeking tourists would arrange encounters with these bandits so that they could later report on their dangerous adventures.

Júzcar was once a typical Andalusian village with whitewashed houses, as can be found in many parts of the region. But everything changed in 2011 when the village was chosen as the location for the the film "The Smurfs". The film company Sony had all the houses in Júzcar painted blue to transform the village into the world's first "Smurf village". Originally, this transformation was only supposed to be temporary, but the huge influx of tourists who wanted to see the "Smurf Village" convinced the villagers to keep the blue color. In a vote, the residents decided to keep Júzcar as a permanent "Smurf Village", making the village a popular tourist attraction. In 2017, Júzcar's status as a "Smurf village" was officially revoked as the rights to the Smurfs could no longer be used. Nevertheless, the village remains known to many as the "blue village" and the blue color of the houses has largely been retained to further promote tourism.

After the village of Alpandeire, the road takes us 1,100 meters up to the Riscos de Cartajima, a mountainous region up to 1,427 meters high. The Riscos de Cartajima are a karst region formed by the erosion of limestone over millions of years. The effects of wind and water have created bizarre, craggy rocks that are reminiscent of a kind of “petrified forest”. The rocks protrude from the ground in bizarre shapes and create an impressive, almost extraterrestrial-looking landscape.

Between two mountain valleys in the middle of the Serranía de Ronda lies the small village of Atajate with its whitewashed houses. Only 150 inhabitants live in this village, which was once founded by the Arabs and is therefore considered to be the village with the fewest inhabitants in the province of Málaga. As it is located 745 meters above sea level, we can enjoy a fantastic view of the surrounding area from here. During Napoleon's invasion, Atajate was destroyed by the attacks of the French army. Its inhabitants abandoned what was left of their houses, whereupon the "bandoleros" of the area made the village one of their most important hideouts.

A few kilometers after the village, we can choose between two routes down to the coast.

The route via Jubrique to Estepona leads through the Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja Natural Park, an impressive area known for its unique geology and diverse vegetation. It is home to one of the largest expanses of peridotite, a type of rock of volcanic origin that gives the region's rocks a reddish hue. The road offers spectacular views of the mountains and valleys, which are covered with dense forests of pine, chestnut and cork oak. Jubrique itself is a charming, traditional Andalusian village situated at an altitude of around 550 meters. With its narrow streets, whitewashed houses and relaxed atmosphere, it is a typical example of the “pueblos blancos” (white villages) of Andalusia. Members of a Berber tribe founded the village around the year 715 AD.

The downhill down to the coast offers a dramatic change in scenery. The winding route leads through steep mountain slopes and narrow valleys before merging into the fertile coastal plain. The vegetation gradually changes from dense forests to Mediterranean shrubs and orchards. On clear days, the view extends down to the coast to the Rock of Gibraltar and even across the Mediterranean to Africa.

In Estepona, a charming coastal town, we meet the Mediterranean. Estepona is known for its well-kept old town, which is characterized by flower-filled alleyways and squares, as well as its beautiful beaches that stretch along the coast.

The route from Gaucín via Casares down to the coast leads through the picturesque Sierra Crestellina, an impressive natural area that has been a nature reserve since 1989. The region is known for its dramatic rock formations, steep slopes and rich flora and fauna. The Sierra Crestellina is characterized by dense Mediterranean forests, consisting mainly of cork oaks, holm oaks and pine trees.

Gaucín, a charming white village at an altitude of around 600 meters, impresses with its spectacular location and sweeping views. The old castle Castillo del Águila, perched on a hill, is a landmark of the village. The Arabs, who called the village "Sajra Guazan" (hard rock), left their mark on the architecture and the winding streets. Gaucín retains an authentic Andalusian flair with narrow streets and a relaxed atmosphere.

Casares is located on a hill, about 430 meters above sea level, and offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The village has a rich history dating back to the Moorish era. The architecture of Casares reflects this Moorish past, especially the narrow, winding streets and whitewashed houses nestled into the steep landscape. Casares was also the birthplace of Blas Infante, an important Andalusian politician and writer who is considered the "father of the Andalusian nation". His birthplace is now a museum dedicated to the history and culture of Andalusia.

In Estepona, a charming coastal town, we meet the Mediterranean. Estepona is known for its well-kept old town, which is characterized by flower-filled alleyways and squares, as well as its beautiful beaches that stretch along the coast.

The N340 is one of the longest roads in Spain and runs along the Mediterranean coast from Barcelona to Cádiz. Our route stage leads from Estepona via Puerto Banús, Marbella to Benalmádena and offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, especially when the road curves along the coast.

Puerto Banús is one of the most famous and exclusive marinas in Europe. It was built in the 1970s by the entrepreneur José Banús and has since become a symbol of luxury and glamor. When construction was completed, a grand opening ceremony was held, to which Grace Kelly was also invited. The myth of the port of the rich and famous was born. Impressive yachts are moored along the marina and the surrounding streets are lined with designer boutiques, exclusive restaurants and bars. The promenade is a popular meeting place for celebrities and wealthy tourists.

The old town of Marbella offers a stark contrast to the modern splendor of Puerto Banús. Here visitors will find narrow, cobbled streets lined with white houses, often adorned with flowers. The central square, the "Plaza de los Naranjos", is the heart of the old town and is framed by historic buildings such as the town hall and the Casa del Corregidor. There are many traditional tapas bars, small boutiques and art galleries in the winding alleyways. The old town conveys an authentic feeling of Spanish heritage and invites you to take a relaxed stroll. To ensure that this is done in a relaxed manner, the tour guide stays with the motorcycles for safety reasons. Helmets and clothing can therefore remain on the bike.

Benalmádena is located a little further east along the coast and is divided into three main areas: Benalmádena Pueblo, Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmádena Costa. The marina of Benalmádena, known as Puerto Marina, is a lively and colorful complex that includes both a marina and an entertainment center. The marina, which has twice been named the world's best marina, has been awarded the European Blue Flag - a symbol of service and water quality - continuously since 1987. The facility offers a mix of maritime activities, restaurants, bars and stores.