Where we ride
The first priority for Joyriders is to offer riding to suit all abilities. No matter what your fitness level or technical ability, our aim is to have breadth of rides in each of 4 colour coded categories. Like Skiing, we rate our rides as, green, blue, red and black. In the area around Estepona, we are privileged to have at our disposal, a mind boggling array of varied trails and some of the most beautiful scenery in coastal Spain. On our doorstep are 5 natural parks/areas. Namely; Sierra Bermeja, Sierra las Nieves, Sierra Grasalema, Valle del Genal and Valle de Guadiaro. Each in their own right destinations for cyclists, walkers and hikers, we have "cherry picked" the best routes from each.
Sierra Bermeja
A mountain range with an average height of 1,000m (its highest point being 1,450m), covering 1,236ha. It is an area that has undergone major volcanic activity; the rocks are rich in the olivine mineral. Rainwater has oxidised the iron and magnesium present in the rocks and the iron oxide has coloured the rock reddish-ginger, a hue that gives the sierra its name.
If you like a challenge, near to the summit of Sierra Bermeja there is the "Refugio de los Reales", once there you can buy drinks and snacks before descending the full 1,450m back to sea level. The track takes you along a pass called Penas Blancas, through a pine forest called "paseo de los Pinsapos". The pine trees here are unique to this part of the world (abes pinaspo boiss) and are home to some of the best, smooth single track on the Southern coast - awesome! A day you'll remember and your legs won't forgive you for!
There are so many rides in this range you could spend your whole week here. As well as being a trail-fest, the flora and fauna on display are simply astonishing. The sierra's most notable feature is it's breadth of trees, Spanish fir, which only grows in Andalucía, maritime and Austrian pines, cork and kermes oaks, junipers and yew trees. There are some species of Mediterranean scrubland such as rosemary and dwarf fan palms. In the rockier, more remote areas there is an endemic species of garlic, allium rouyi, which was discovered in the sierra in the late 19th century.
The most common mammals are the mountain goat, the roe deer and the Egyptian mongoose. The species of roe deer (el corzo morisco, as it is known locally) is unique to the sierras of Malaga and Cadiz provinces. It is has adapted to a drier habitat and has evolved different physical features from other roe deer. Less visible are the otters and wild cats. Raptors nest in the many sheer slopes and include booted eagles, Griffon vultures, sparrowhawks and eagle and long-eared owls.
There are many reptiles, including salamanders, toads, the Spanish terrapin (mauremys leproso), the Iberian worm lizard and the three-toed skink lizard.
Sierra de las Nieves
The natural park, Sierra de las Nieves is located in the hills behind Marbella and to the east of Ronda . The park centres on Mount Torrecilla (1909m) and covers an area of 30km by 20km or 18,530 hectares. The park is based on limestone and has deep ravines and spectacular gorges as well as the world's third deepest sink which descends to 1,100 metres. This mountainous area has seen little human influence or activity (cultivation) even historically and has a rich variety of flora and fauna. In 1970 the park was declared a National Hunting Reserve and in 1995 a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Sierra de las Nieves is at the climatic boundary of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean
Within the park you can use the extensive network of forest tracks to gain height gently but in complete contrast to Sierra Bermeja, the mountains offer a rugged, dramatic backdrop for our more technical riding. Descents are generally more challenging and obstacles "bigger and badder". Couple that with the altitude (yes you can go off the top!) and you have an area not for the feint hearted.
Sierra de Grazalema
The Sierra de Grazalema is one of Spain's most ecologically outstanding areas and in 1984 was declared the first natural park in Andalucia. The park is home to over 1,200 species of plant some of which are found nowhere else. The best known of these is the Spanish Fir, or Pinsapo, which has grown here since before the last ice age. The other flora is clearly Mediterranean and includes holm oak, cork, carob and wild olive. A combination of relatively high rainfall and limestone geology has produced a landscape of high rocky ridges and deep caves and the park contains two of Spain's best known caves. The Cueva Hundidero-Gato with its biggest cavern measuring 4km long and an entrance of 60m tall is Andalucia's largest cave system and the Cueva de la Pilata, which has art dating from the Upper Palaeolithic era 25,000 years ago. Grazalema has one of the largest nesting colonies of griffon vultures in Europe as well as Egyptian Vultures and Golden Eagles. The geographical location of Grazalema makes it an important staging area in spring and autumn for the huge number of migrant birds moving between Africa and Europe.
Home to paragliders, this range offers a pleasant, near permanent wind to cool those limbs on hot days. Climbs and descents are generally at a lower level demanding less physical and technical ability. Watch out though, like any natural range, there is the occasional surprise to "keep you on your toes".
Overall, this mind boggling array of natural parks offer more than 1000km2 of riding. Your only limit is the length of time you are spending in this area of outstanding natural beauty.