Ronda and the west of Málaga

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.

We leave the Sierra de Mijas and shortly before Alhaurín el Grande we head northwest towards the Sierra de las Nieves National Park. 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).

The stage to El Burgo is characterized by numerous bends and hairpin bends that wind along the mountain slopes. The road quickly gains height and in some places you can see far into the valleys below. The road winds its way through tight bends, making the ride technically challenging, but also offering the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular scenery to the full. Along the route, dense forests alternate with open, barren rocky landscapes. Particularly impressive are the sections where the road runs along rugged rock faces and reveals deep chasms. On clear days, you can see far into the Andalusian countryside from the higher points. Especially in spring and fall, nature is at its best here, with flowering plants and pleasant temperatures. After a spectacular drive, we reach El Burgo, a typical Andalusian village with whitewashed houses, narrow streets and a quiet, tranquil atmosphere.

As soon as we leave El Burgo behind us, the landscape changes rapidly. The narrow road leads us steadily uphill through the northern foothills of the Sierra de las Nieves, negotiating numerous tight bends and hairpin bends. At an altitude of around 910 meters, we reach the Mirador del Guarda Forestal viewpoint.

From here, we enjoy a spectacular view over the northern landscape of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park. Particularly striking is the densely overgrown front part of the Turón Valley, a tributary of the Guadalhorce River, whose slopes are covered in a variety of forest flora. At the highest point of the Mirador del Guarda Forestal is a statue erected in 1977 to commemorate the centenary of the founding of the Forest Guard Corps. With a bit of luck, you can also observe the local ibex in their natural habitat. On clear days, the view extends as far as the distant Costa del Sol and the Mediterranean. The untouched, wild landscape with its rugged cliffs, dense forests and deep gorges gives you the feeling of being in a remote, unspoiled paradise.

A few kilometers after the viewpoint, the landscape changes again. Now wide bends and open spaces dominate, characterized by barren rock formations and Mediterranean bushland. The scenery alternates between extensive plateaus and lower-lying, wooded valleys through which small streams flow. At an altitude of 1,068 meters, we reach the Viento Pass (Puerto del Viento), which takes us to the high plateau before Ronda. The arrival in Ronda is impressive: the town is majestically enthroned on a steep rocky gorge, which is crossed by the Guadalevín river.

Ronda, which is over a thousand years old, lies at an altitude of 723 meters and is one of the most famous “white villages” in Andalusia. Ronda is particularly famous for its Moorish-influenced old town, which is enthroned on a steeply sloping rocky plateau. One highlight is the impressive Puente Nuevo, a bridge that spans the imposing, 120-metre-deep El Tajo gorge and is spectacular from many angles. The city is also home to numerous architectural treasures, including one of the oldest bullrings in Spain. In the 18th century, three generations of the Romero family, who were all born in Ronda, shaped the rules of modern bullfighting, including the use of the cloth and the poses of the “Escuela Rondeña”. To ensure a relaxed visit, the tour guide remains with the motorcycles, which is also sensible for safety reasons. Helmets and clothing can therefore be left safely on the motorcycle.

This route extension takes us to the UNESCO biosphere reserve Sierra de Grazalema. This natural park is known for its breathtaking landscape, which includes steep limestone cliffs, deep gorges, dense forests and spectacular caves. The highest point is the Torreón, which at 1,654 meters is the highest peak in the province of Cádiz. The region is known for its limestone formations, which have been shaped by erosion over thousands of years. These have created spectacular landscapes, including deep gorges such as the Garganta Verde and numerous caves, including the famous Cueva de la Pileta with prehistoric cave paintings.

Benaoján and Montejaque are two of Andalusia's traditional white villages, known for their picturesque narrow streets, whitewashed houses and historic buildings. Both villages have a long history dating back to Moorish times and still retain their authentic character today. The landscape around Benaoján and Montejaque is strongly influenced by the geological formations of the Sierra de Grazalema. The region consists largely of limestone, which has been shaped by erosion over thousands of years into spectacular karst landscapes with caves, gorges and underground rivers.

The Presa de Montejaque, also known as the Presa de los Caballeros, is an abandoned dam that was built in the 1920s to store water for agriculture. The dam is located in a deep gorge, surrounded by steep, jagged rocks. However, the project proved to be a failure as the porous limestone soil allowed the water to drain through underground caves and crevices instead of retaining it in the reservoir. The surroundings of the abandoned dam offer a unique, almost dystopian backdrop that has been used in various film and television productions. The deserted scenery with the imposing rock formations in the background creates an impressive, almost surreal atmosphere that is often used in films for scenes that convey wildness, loneliness or a sense of being lost.

We can extend the tour even further and drive into the province of Cádiz. There, the winding and serpentine mountain pass Puerto de las Palomas awaits us, inviting us to a challenging crossing. At an altitude of around 1,357 meters, it connects the towns of Grazalema and Zahara de la Sierra. From the highest point of the Puerto de las Palomas, there is an incomparable panoramic view of the Sierra de Grazalema and the villages below, in particular Zahara de la Sierra and the Zahara-El Gastor reservoir.

Grazalema is an idyllic village that impresses with its unique combination of historic architecture, rich culture and spectacular nature. The village has a rich history dating back to Roman times. It was later settled by the Moors, who left their architectural and cultural influence behind. After the Christian reconquest, the village was further developed and many of the buildings preserved today date from this period.

Zahara de la Sierra is a picturesque, whitewashed village that nestles spectacularly on the slope of a steep cliff and is dominated by a Moorish castle. It is one of the “Pueblos Blancos” (white villages) of Andalusia, known for their white houses and unique architecture. Zahara de la Sierra has a rich history dating back to Moorish times. The castle of Zahara, which towers over the village, was built by the Moors in the 13th century and played an important role during the Reconquista, the reconquest by the Christian kings. The narrow, cobbled streets of the village are typical of Moorish architecture and many of the buildings have preserved elements from this period.

The Zahara-El Gastor reservoir covers an area of around 2.5 square kilometers and lies at an altitude of around 450 meters above sea level. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the villages of Zahara de la Sierra and El Gastor, nestled in an impressive mountain landscape characterized by striking limestone cliffs and dense forests. The dam, which was built in the 1950s, serves to meet the region's increasing demand for water. Our route finally leads along the southern shore of the reservoir back towards Ronda.

After visiting Ronda, we tackle the magnificent A397 mountain road, one of the most impressive motorcycle routes in southern Spain. This 46-kilometre ride connects the historic mountain town of Ronda with the coastal town of San Pedro de Alcántara, west of Marbella. The ride starts at around 720 meters above sea level and takes us through the majestic Sierra de las Nieves National Park, reaching altitudes of over 1,000 meters on several occasions. The road winds through the breathtaking mountain landscape before finally taking us to the glittering Costa del Sol, where we reach the coast at around 15 meters above sea level.

The A397 is excellently developed and offers a perfect mix of wide, safe lanes and numerous winding sections. This combination makes for a comfortable yet exciting riding experience. The varied and smoothly flowing bends in particular make the route a paradise for motorcycle enthusiasts who not only want to enjoy the challenge of the ride, but also the breathtaking scenery. Along the route, there are always impressive views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, making every ride an unforgettable experience. On clear days, the view extends all the way down to the coast to the Rock of Gibraltar and even across the Mediterranean to Africa.

The stage that takes us from San Pedro de Alcántara via Monda back to the starting point of the tour runs along an excellent road that leads through two of the most impressive natural areas in the province of Málaga. After a short trip along the AP7 coastal highway (toll road), we head north again into the Sierra Blanca.

The Sierra Blanca (white mountain range), which rises to the west of the route, is an impressive mountain massif whose name comes from 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.

Past Monda, the road winds its way through hilly terrain and offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains until we enter the Sierra de Mijas again. Unlike at the start of the stage, we now cross it towards the coast off Benalmádena. On clear days, the view even extends across the Mediterranean as far as Africa.