by Chris Chaplow
As spring arrives bringing mild temperatures, and the welcome break of the Easter holidays, is there a better time for family activities? Nothing beats the spring sunshine for walks on the beach or cycling in the countryside, before the summer heat sets in.
Knowing what a popular pastime cycling is, especially in this area with its stunning scenery, from coast to mountains and hilltop white villages, The Reserva Club organizes, together with a specialized company, EBike routes through some of the region’s most breathtaking landscapes.
From quiet country roads surrounded by nature to challenging climbs with panoramic views, each route offers a unique experience.
In general, the tours take place monthly, on the last Saturday of the month. Groups set off at about 10.00 from different meeting points, depending on the route. Note the April tour in the La Almoraima estate has been brought forward to Easter Saturday, 19 April.
The routes covered offer a wide range of terrain: those in the La Almoraima estate are the most popular, especially for EBikers interested in spotting wildlife.
Puerto de la Cruces, La Almoraima estate
This route is perfect for those looking for an easily accessible experience of the natural beauty inside the beautiful Finca La Almoraima in the Alcornocales Natural Park. This is an ideal opportunity, since access to one of the largest estates in Spain is only granted with an accredited guide. Agriculture, forestry, cork, hunting, and tourism are main industries in the 14,000-hectare estate. As you ride into the estate, you will be impressed by its vast size and the absence of any modern development.
This 20km basic route is suitable for all cyclist levels.
For the more adventurous, there may be an option to take an offroad detour along the forest trails; this offers a greater chance of spotting deer, wild boar and other wildlife.
Another attraction of this route is the possibility of extending the route by a further 10km to 30km, visiting Castillo de Castellar with its medieval hilltop fortress, from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Alcornocales Natural Park and the Guadarranque Reservoir.
Easy route – 20km – 3 hours 30 minutes
Saturday 19 April 2025 – Meet at Hotel Convento La Almoraima – Price 80€ including guide and snack. Book online at Sotogrande.com/whats-on
Castillo de Castellar via La Almoraima estate and around the reservoir
For those looking for a more challenging experience, this is the longer Finca La Almoraima estate route. It combines the Puerto de la Cruces route with stops at the Navahermosa viewpoint, the cork oak forests, and Castillo de Castellar with its castle, as well as adding an exciting stretch around Guadarranque reservoir.
This itinerary enables you to enjoy the different ecosystems of the area, from lush forests to open paths with spectacular views of the reservoir and its surroundings. A unique experience for those who want to discover all the natural wonders of Almoraima in a single route.
Medium difficulty – 50km – 5 hours 30 minutes
Saturday 31 May 2025 – Meet at Hotel Convento La Almoraima – Price 80€ including guide and snack. Book online at Sotogrande.com/whats-on
Sierra Bermeja – forests and rivers
Explore the forests on the lower slopes of Sierra Bermeja, the red mountains named because to red hue in certain lights from the iron ore in the rocks. This is an off-road route and returns by one of the river valleys such as Rio del Padrón.
Easy / Medium difficulty – 25km – 3 hours 30 minutes
Saturday, June 28- Meet at Eco&Bike Calle Malaga, Estepona town centre. Price 80€ including guide and snack. Book online at Sotogrande.com/whats-on (not posted yet)
Other tours are from Estepona to Casares, mainly off-road, and also from Estepona exploring the forests on the lower reaches of the Sierra Bermeja. Another interesting route passes from Sotogrande Alto into the upper reaches of the original Cortijo de la Alcaidesa estate, now within the Parque Natural de la Los Alcornocales. Don’t miss the activity schedule on the website sotogrande.com.