El Colmenar Cycle Safari

Spain Andalucia El Colmenar

Website: http://www.elcsafari.com/ Accommodations: Village Accommodation Activities: Cycling, Mountain biking Introduction: We are based in the delightful village of El Colmenar which is situated in one of Andalucia's stunning parks 'Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales'. From this lovely rural location we have explored many cycling routes resulting in a selection which will appeal to all levels. You may be riding beneath the magnificient cork trees, along a coastal path or a disused railway track but be assured that whichever safari you choose the scenery will be breathtaking. Full Description:

Alcornocales Park Safaris
The beautiful ‘Parque Natural De Los Alcornocales’ is the second largest natural cork oak forest in the world. Take a break and enjoy the natural beauty and abundance of wildlife: catch site of deer, boar and foxes; watch the graceful flight of the many birds of prey in this mountain forest; be amazed by the countless flowers and plants native only to this area. Primarily the trails are ‘Camino Forestal’ (forest roads) which are dirt roads and open to all traffic but very safe and quiet for leisurely cycle rides.

Estrecho Safari
This 16.5km ride takes you down a track to the coastline of the Gibraltar Strait where you can enjoy the magnificent views across to Morocco and admire a wind farm close up. Ride the coastal track, enjoy your picnic on the rugged beach watching out for dolphins and whales amongst the busy shipping lanes whilst migratory birds fly overhead before heading uphill to the collection point.

Rock Safari
Spain to Gibraltar – cycle the route and ‘jump’ the border queue. Once in Gib you can tour the rock and learn a little of its history, stroll around the shops or the marina, chill out for a while on the beach or in one of the many restaurants. We will transport you (and your duty free shopping) back to where we picked you up in Spain.

Via Verde Safari
This route is 36 km of disused railway line which is maintained by the local authority for safe cycling, hiking, horse riding and is a tarmac/dirt track mix. You will ride through tunnels (30 of them, the longest being just under 1km) and along splendid viaducts with amazing scenery. Approximately half way along the track you should stop at the Penon de Zaframagon Nature Reserve which lies at the fotothills of the Grazalema range.

Downhill Safari
We have a few descents where we drive you to the highest point of a route and then you do the hard bit and cycle down. We make suggestions for the most appropriate route depending on the time of your descent. Doing a descent gives you a buzz that stays with you for a long time.

Village To Village
One of the most popular is Gaucin to El Colmenar and is favoured by visitors who arrive by train and wish to visit Gaucin. We drive you to Gaucin and abandon you for a couple of hours to wander around this charming pueblo blanco, walk up to the castle, have a coffee or lunch in one of the many cafes or restaurants. Then you cycle back to El Colmenar choosing either a 14km downhill on tarmac or the longer hilly route of which 15km is through the forest before joining the tarmac road.