This ride takes us in an undulating loop via two of the oldest sites in the area. The route includes a couple of significant climbs (no problem with the e-bikes) as we ride through rural farmland and past woodland, hillside vineyards and acres of olive groves.
We drop down into the valley of La Indiana and then make a 12km steady ascent. At the top, are the Roman ruins of Acinipo, a town built on a high escarpment more than 2,000 years ago to house retired roman soldiers. A few yards behind the rear seats of an ampitheatre is the edge of the escarpment, with amazing views across to the Grazalema mountains.
We then enjoy a great descent into a valley and the white village of Setenil de la Bodegas. This was also a Roman settlement but is likely to have been inhabited for many centuries beforehand. To this day, “cavehouse” dwellings built into the rock form the basis of many houses, shops and cafes. We enjoy a short refreshment stop in one of these cafes before heading back up the hill.
