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Zahara de la Sierra, Andalucia, Spain.
4.8
| 45 reviews

Sierras to Sea Adventure in Andalucia

6 nights
Moderate

Hike, canyon, cycle and kayak from the mountains to the Mediterranean in sun-drenched southern Spain

What's Included?

Activities & Certified Guides

All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guides

Accommodation

6 nights in hotels in Sierra de Grazalema and Conil de la Frontera

Meals

6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners

Transfers

Airport transfers to and from Malaga Airport, plus all other transfers during the trip

Equipment

All of your kayaking, canyoning and cycling equipment, plus safety gear for the Caminito del Rey

Small Like-minded Groups

Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people
From

excluding flights
From

excluding flights

What's it like?

4.8
| 45 reviews
Wonderful Andalucia Trip
October 2025
Rebecca H.
Wonderful Andalucia Trip
October 2025
Rebecca H.
Spectacular adventure!!
October 2025
Mary B.
Enjoyed an amazing experience on
September 2025
Matthew B.
Sea to Sierras
September 2025
Dr K.
June 6-13, 2025 trip
June 2025
brittney L.
Fun mountains to ocean activities!!
June 2025
Jessica W.
Amazing adventure and great guides!!
June 2025
William S.
Amazing adventure and great guides!!
June 2025
William S.
Amazing adventure and great guides!!
June 2025
William S.
Amazing adventure and great guides!!
June 2025
William S.
Zahara de la Sierra, Andalucia, Spain.
Hikers on the Caminito del Rey, Andalucia, Spain.
Canyoning in the Garganta Verde, Andalucia, Spain.
Woman cycling with her mountain bike at the beach of Cape Trafalgar, Costa de la Luz, Andalusia, Spain
Kayking on the Sancti Petri marshes near Cadiz. Andalucia, Spain.
Atlanterra Beach, taken from Cape Plata in Zahara de los Atunes village, Andalucia.
Hiker on the Pinsapar Trail in the Sierra Grazalema, Andalucia. Spain.
Puente Nuevo Bridge in Ronda, Andalucia.
Hikers on a vertigo-inducing section of the Caminito del Rey, Andalucia, Spain.
Pinsapar Trail, Andalucia, Spain.

Tread the restored Caminito del Rey – a truly unique trail cut through the El Chorro gorge, it was formerly one of the world's most dangerous hikes

Hike the Pinsapar Trail among the pine-studded crags of the Sierra de Grazelama, and go canyoning through the stunning Garganta Verde

Head to the coast for dreamy days of pedalling and paddling, exploring epic beaches and gorgeous villages along the Costa de la Luz

Kick back in lovely hotels in Sierra de Grazalema and a beach town outside Cadiz, explore magical Ronda, tuck into Andalucian dishes and taste wines at a local vineyard

Key Information

Day 1

Welcome to Andalucía!

Zahara de la Sierra, Andalucia, Spain.

Meet your host at Malaga Airport and be whisked off through some gorgeous scenery en route to your base for the first half of the trip. The Sierra de Grazalema national park is a beautiful region in the northeast part of Andalucia, with quintessential whitewashed villages nestle amongst lush green mountainous scenery. Check into your hotel and visit nearby Grazalema village, considered one of the most beautiful in the Andalucian sierras. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening and a chat with your guides about the adventures to come.

Day 2

Caminito del Rey

Hikers on a bridge on the Chorro gorge hiking the Caminito del Rey, Andalucia, Spain.

Hiking

3-4hrs · 8km · 200m up · 200m down

Driving

2hrs

You'll be driven a short while through lovely Andalucian scenery to reach the trailhead of the notorious Caminito del Rey. One of the most iconic hikes in Spain, it was once dubbed 'The Most Dangerous Hike in the World' with crumbling trails and very little protection against the steep drops below. Of course, this is no longer the case! In 2015, a multi-million Euro project to restore the Caminito was completed, and now a highly safe and secure network of boardwalks cuts through the El Chorro Gorge, high above the Rio Guadalhorce. You'll be fixed up with a safety helmet to protect against rockfall from above before setting off along the trail through woodland and along the walkways, now firmly secured to the cliff faces. The environment is incredible, with the gorge becoming so narrow at points you can nearly touch the other side, and a drop of several hundred metres to peer down over on the most exposed sections After your hike you'll head to nearby Ronda, a magnificent mountain-top town dating back to Moorish times which has inspired writers and artists over the years, from the famous Spanish poet Federico García Lorca, to Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles. Stroll around the town and grab a sundowner - there is the option to have dinner here if the group is keen as well. One of Andalucia's greatest cultural symbols is flamenco, and Ronda has plenty of spots where you can watch this evocative art form. The Casino de Ronda is a good option to try, with performances on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for €20 which can be paid locally.

*It's good to be aware that the Caminito del Rey is a very popular route which can get crowded at times. We operate this trip outside of the peak school holidays, so numbers will be lower during the dates this trip runs.

Day 3

Canyoning in the Garganta Verde gorge

Group of people canyoning as seen from above in the Garganta del Verde, Andalucia.

Canyoning

3-4hrs

Tuck into breakfast before you head off to Zahara de la Sierra in the heart of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. Spectacularly situated on a mountainside overlooking the valley and lake below, it's one of the region's most stunning villages and the gateway to the Garganta Verde (the 'Green Ravine'), a hidden canyon 400m deep with walls covered in lush vegetation. The canyon's network of natural pools create an amazing natural adventure playground. After half an hour's hike you'll reach the the Cueva de la Ermita, an impressive vault in the rock. From here you'll journey deeper into the canyon where natural slides into the fresh, crystal clear waters await. There are several rappels to tackle, but your experienced canyoning guides are there to support you through any tricky spots, and there are several chances for epic pool jumps. Exiting the canyon after a wild few hours, you'll dry off and head for a late lunch (Spanish-style!) in a nearby village, with iconic Andalucian whitewashed houses set against a beautiful landscape backdrop. This evening your host will take you to a lovely local restaurant in Grazalema for dinner.

Day 4

Hike the Pinsapar Trail in the Sierra de Grazalema

Pinsapar Trail, Andalucia, Spain

Hiking

5hrs · 11km · 700m up · 700m down

Driving

2.5hrs

Bid farewell to your first base after breakfast today – it's time to head away from Andalucia's canyons and villages and further out into the wide, open sierras. You'll be tackling the Pinsapar Trail, a cracking half-day hike through a biosphere reserve. You'll start with a gradual ascent, eventually reaching the top of a ridge with views across to the dramatic peak of San Cristobal, the craggy buttresses of El Torreón, and classic white Andalucian towns nestled in the green swathes below. Take in the views before continuing along the ridge, descending into a dense forest to unique Spanish firs called pinsapo. Pinsapo can only found here and in the Moroccan Rif Mountain, which played a key role in this area being declared a biosphere reserve and natural park. In places, the forest is so thick that the light barely filters through the dense canopy, creating a unique and tranquil atmosphere (and some welcome shade from the sun). You'll tuck into a leisurely picnic lunch halfway through, and as the hike winds up after five hours or so, you'll settle into the van and hit the road for 2.5 hours to reach the Mediterranean coast. Arrive at your hotel in Conil de la Frontera, a small but vibrant beach town on the Costa de la Luz near Cadiz. Settle into a restaurant nearby for dinner and enjoy into the laid-back beach vibes.

Day 5

Kayaking in the Bay of Cádiz & Andalucian wine tasting

Kayking on the Sancti Petri marshes near Cadiz. Andalucia, Spain.

Kayaking

3hrs

Grab breakfast and squeeze in some beach time and a swim in the sea this morning before heading a short way up the coast to the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park. You'll be hopping into a kayak to explore the coast here; depending on sea conditions, you'll either kayak out into the bay to the island that houses the historic Sancti Petri Castle, or explore the protected network of the Sancti Petri marshes. Tuck into a picnic lunch on the beach and grab a swim in the Mediterranean. Later in the afternoon you'll head to a wine cellar in the cute town of Chiclana de la Frontera to taste the renowned wines of Andalusia, including those from the sherry-producing regions near Jerez de la Frontera. Back at the hotel, enjoy a free evening with your pick of the local restaurants and beach bars to while away the evening.

Day 6

Cycle the Costa de la Luz to beaches and fishing villages

Woman cycling the Trafalgar Route in Andalucia, Spain.

Cycling

3-4hrs · 30km · 230m up · 230m down

Hop on two wheels today to explore a stunning stretch of the Costa de la Luz. The Trafalgar Lighthouse route starts at Zahara de los Atunes and winds you along the glistening blue coastline, cutting in land through sections of pine trees, passing dramatic cliffs en route to the iconic Trafalgar Lighthouse and the stunning Playa de los Caños de Meca. The going is mostly flat throughout, with a small bit of elevation gain and loss to cover in total. Enjoy another scenic picnic part-way along the circular route before finishing up at the beautiful beach of Zahara de los Atunes. Soak up the expanse of golden sands and dive in for a swim before heading back to the hotel in the mid-afternoon. After some downtime, head out to celebrate the end of an epic adventure in style as your host takes you to a tavern to tuck into a traditional Andalucian dinner.

Day 7

Adiós, Andalucia

Wild stretch of sandy beach at Zahara de los Atunes, Andalucia.

Driving

2.5hrs

The adventure comes to an end today as your host takes you back to Malaga Airport. It's a 2.5-hour drive, so you shouldn't book any flights departing before 13:00. The Cadiz coastline is a cracking place to add on some bonus time after the trip to explore Andalucia further, or to simply laze on the beach for a few more days.

The Area

map

Logistics

Starts

Malaga Airport

17:00 on Day 1

Ends

Malaga Airport

11:00 on Day 7

Transfers

Your host will meet you at 17:00 at Malaga Airport on Day 1 and transfer you to your first base in Sierra de Grazalema, which is a 1hr 45m drive away. If you are already in Malaga, your host may be able to arrange collection from the city – please coordinate this with them prior to arrival, via your booking.

On Day 7, your host will provide a group transfer from Conil de la Frontera back to Malaga Airport, dropping you off at around 11:00. This transfer takes 2.5hrs, and we advise you to not book any flights which depart earlier than 13:00 on Day 7.

If you are arriving or departing at different times or before/after Day 1 or Day 7, your host can arrange private airport transfers for an additional charge, subject to availability. Please see Optional Extras for prices.

Travel options

Malaga Airport is accessible via various direct flights from the UK and mainland Europe. There are also direct flights to Malaga Airport from Montreal and New York if you are travelling from North America.

Day 1

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2 – Day 4

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 5

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 6

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 7

Departure day

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

 Huevos a la flamenca, served in a clay pot with asparagus, peppers, and tomatoes

Throughout your trip you'll enjoy the rich culinary traditions of Andalucia, from fresh seafood along the coast to hearty mountain dishes in the Sierra de Grazalema. You'll have chance to saviour local specialities like pescaito frito (fried fish), payoyo cheese and huevos a la flamenca. Breakfasts will be buffet-style at your two hotel bases, with fresh juices and coffee, various breads and pastries, eggs, fruit, cereal and yoghurts. You'll have four picnic lunches in scenic spots, which will include sandwiches made from local cheeses, meats and salads, plus accompanying snacks. You'll also have one lunch in a village restaurant after canyoning in the Sierra de la Grazalema. Five dinners are included, with a memorable farewell dinner at an Andalucian tavern on the Costa de la Luz. One dinner has been left out of the trip price to give you the freedom of finding local spots in Conil de la Frontera to sample the various culinary opportunities on offer. Your host will help with suggestions and tips, and can help make reservations for the group together. You should budget €25-30 for this dinner – this will cover a couple of courses and possibly dessert. You'll also have the opportunity to visit local wineries to taste the renowned wines of Andalucia, including those from the sherry-producing regions near Jerez de la Frontera – a famous local staple.

Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for – please just request this on your passenger info form. Fully vegan options are available, but do be aware that Spain's culinary culture is heavy on meat and dairy, so strict vegans may find food options limited.

What is the accommodation like?

Sierra de Grazalema

Your base for the first half of the trip is in a beautiful spot in the Sierra de Grazalema natural park. Hotel Fuerte Grazalema is a four-star hotel immersed in the heart of the park just 5km from Grazalema, one of Spain's oldest towns. The hotel has an inviting outdoor pool, hot tub and an organic vegetable garden. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with ensuite bathrooms, each room has a balcony with wonderful views of the Guadalete Valley.

Costa de la Luz

Your base for the second half of the trip is at the small but vibrant beach town of Conil de la Frontera, on the dreamy Costa de la Luz outside of Cadiz. You'll be staying at Hotel Fuerte Conil, a 4-star hotel in a cracking spot right on the seafront. There's a bar and rooftop terrace with stunning views, perfect for sundowners after packed days of adventuring, and a heated indoor pool and a rooftop pool as well. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with ensuite bathrooms.

Upgrades

For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room throughout the trip can be booked for an extra charge - see Optional Extras for prices. Please note that private room upgrades are subject to availability, so please request this at the time of booking.

This trip has been rated as Moderate

You won't need any previous experience of hiking, canyoning or kayaking; however, you will need to be relatively fit and active and be comfortable doing 4-5 hours of activity per day in a variety of natural environments. For the bike ride on Day 6, you will need to be able to ride a bike and ideally will have some experience of riding on easy gravel and natural trails, however, none of the cycling is technical and the going is easy without too much elevation to tackle. The hike on Day 4 along the Pinsapar Trail involves 700m of elevation gain and loss over around 5 hours, which is the biggest physical effort of the trip.

It is important to note that sufferers of vertigo will not enjoy the Caminito del Rey hike on Day 2. The hike itself is extremely safe, with a modern boardwalk and full safety gear provided, but you will be exposed with sheer drops into the gorge below. If you want to book this trip but are scared of heights, we recommend you skip the Caminito Del Rey and explore Ronda independently on Day 2. All other activities will be fine for vertigo sufferers.

What if i need to skip an activity?

You are welcome to skip any activity at any stage during this trip.

What will I need to carry?

Your main pack will stay in your room at the two bases for the trip in Ronda and Conil de la Frontera. You will just need a small daypack of 15-30 litres to pack personal items and water for the hikes on Day 2 and Day 4, and the cycling on Day 5.

We run this trip from April to June, and September to October. The peak summer months of July and August are uncomfortably hot for outdoor activities, and there are more tourists in Andalucia during those months, so we do not offer trips during the peak of summer.

April and October in Andalucia are generally mild and pleasant months to visit, with a mix of sunny days and the odd rainy spell. The landscape is more lush and green in the spring and autumn, making it a beautiful time to visit.

May, June and September are dry and sunny months to visit, with higher temperatures perfect for the water activities on this trip. See below for a summary of temperature deviations to expect, depending on which month you book.

April: average 15-20°C (59-68°F), with highs occasionally reaching 25°C (77°F) May: 18-24°C (64°F-75°F). Highs can reach 28°C (82°F) in inland areas June: 22-30°C (72-86°F.) In some areas, especially inland, highs can reach 35°C (95°F) September: 24-32°C (75-90°F). Coastal areas can be slightly cooler, around 22°C-28°C (72°F-82°F) October: 18°C-25°C (64°F-77°F). Nights become cooler, especially inland, with lows of around 12°C-15°C (54°F-59°F)

Isabelle L.(October 2025)
Fantastic trip

Great mix of activities and locations. Amaxing group of people. Oscar and Ruti made this holiday a fantastic trip in Andalucía. The hotels and food were great. The local companies used for canyoning and kayaking were top class. One suggestion would be to have more time on the bikes to enjoy the beautiful beach and lunch. I highly recommend this trip.

Rebecca H.(October 2025)
Wonderful Andalucia Trip
Wonderful Andalucia Trip
Wonderful Andalucia Trip

I had a wonderful trip and got the break from everyday life that I was in real need of. Our guides Oscar and Ruti were both phenomenal. They made sure every single person in the group was happy and taken care of. Both had great sense of humor and offered us really valuable knowledge for the places we visited and I really enjoyed getting to know them. All of the activities and excursions were great and a real step outside what you would expect to see in the south of Spain. The scenery in the Caminito Del Rey was breathtaking, although it felt like we were there at a busy time it was still spectacular. The more involved excursions for the Canyoning / Kayaking / Hiking and Cycling were so much fun and everyone in the group really bonded during these activities. We were also blessed with perfect weather for October - warm in the day but nothing above 30 degrees. Both hotels were really nice and comfortable and in fantastic locations (amazing buffets for breakfasts and dinners - I am a vegetarian and ate very very well on this trip!)

I would say there are quite a few drives each day and not all of them are straight roads, so if you're a queasy person it's worth sitting up-front or bringing some anti-sickness tablets. Most of us also remarked that we'd taken too many warm layers like fleeces/down-jackets for the Grazalema/mountains section of the trip - they weren't really needed at all! I definitely over-packed for this trip. For the activities we did - I think it was quite mixed in terms of difficulty level. If you are a physically active person you won't have any problems at all. I would describe the trip as easy-moderate.

I left this holiday feeling renewed and refreshed and with a feeling I had only scratched the surface of this beautiful region and wish to go back there to explore more in the future.

Angelina D.(October 2025)
Great adventure in Spain!

This trip was so much fun! It was the perfect mix of activities during the day with some time to recover at the pool or beach in the evenings. The guides were absolutely FANTASTIC and a huge part of what made this trip so great!

May n.(October 2025)
I was very pleased with

I was very pleased with Ruth and Oscar. The activities were diverse. I enjoyed them very much.

Radostina K.(October 2025)
Great trip!

A wonderful week- Great accommodation, great food, great sangria, great guides and great activities! This trip definitely encouraged me to go back to Andalusia but also to use much better adventures again!

Giok O.(October 2025)
You made this multi-activity break in Andalucia, which my sister and I (older than average group age, but healthy) shared, the "experience/ adventure of a lifetime" we hoped for.

I went with my sister to Andalucia multi-activity holiday from 10 to 16 October 2025. When we booked in spring 2025, the difficulty level was rated moderate (2?), and during the trip we followed the itinerary as much as possible. Since our return, the trip itinerary has been tweaked and is now rated "easy". Both me and my sister were older than the average in the group, but otherwise healthy and up for potential challenges at times. I rate this trip 4. 6 starts (out of 5). We both thoroughly enjoyed the itinerary, the activities, the accommodation, the balance of activities/ free time, the local guides Oscar and Ruth, and the co-travellers in our group and the food and drink offered to us. We felt very lucky with people travelling with us in our group; people were all supportive, enthusiastic and kind-hearted. Likewise, we could not have wished for better local guides. Oscar and Ruth were extremely helpful, cheerful, supportive, alert to people's needs and enjoyments, and worked extremely well together. All activities were heart achingly beautiful and lovely, and any challenges encountered were supported by Oscar/Ruth and local guides. Especially the local supportive team at our canyoning event were caring, competent, helpful etc helping us to thoroughly enjoy a stunning activity/ environment (which without their help would have been scary/too challenging). The only tweak I would make is to take a longer time for the cycle activity (e. g. to fit the cycles properly, get people used to the bikes/mechanisms, take more/ longer breaks for lunch, sightseeing, swims etc). Thank you all so much for making our trip to bond together as sisters (who normally live apart/abroad) an experience of a lifetime.

Gita J.(October 2025)
Great group trip

A enjoyable week with a great group and Oscar frome Rumba e Picos is fantastic and accommodating. Some optional extras would benefit I. e. kayaking round the fort not inlet, electric bike option and water sport info at Conil would be great. Sadly poor weather meant we couldn't do the hike, but visiting Doñana instead of Cadiz could've been a better option. Easy to moderate trip for reasonable fitness.

Susie A.(October 2025)
The best trip

This was my first trip with Much Better, or indeed with any group. I’d done a lot of research and knew I wanted to be with a mix of people doing a range. This was the most fun and friendly group of people - couples/ singles of different nationalities- led by our brilliant guide Oscar who selected some excellent local restaurants with food and drink from the region. I loved it and I’m 100% travelling like this again.

WILLIAM S.(October 2025)
A solid good time

It’s for the constant hard work and kindnesses of the tour guide, Oscar, plus good luck on having quality fellow travelers, that I’m giving this 5 stars. On its own it was more of a 4 star experience. At the time of my ‘adventure’, they were still working on refining the trip, and since Oscar isn’t going anywhere you’ll surely have a good time.

Many of the activities are coordinated by Oscar with local businesses (e. g. bike or kayak shop). The quality of those businesses and their guides was variable (canyoning guides were excellent, the kayak one was…not) but they’re making adjustments and I see they’ve already replaced kayaking with stand up paddleboarding for future visits. By next year I also expect they’ll have a back-up hiking option lined up in case there’s again too much fog in the mountains. Not all adjustments to their trip were represented on the website (we weren’t staying in Ronda and so weren’t near Flamenco shows) so make sure to confirm any component that you’re particularly interested in and just be aware going in that for most meals you won’t have options besides the (expansive) hotel buffet.

Those provisos out of the way/with expectations set - you’ll have a lovely time: The terrain and weather are gorgeous. The mix of activity and free time was well balanced. If you motivate to leave the hotel in Conil, the town is super cute. The swim after a sweaty bike ride was perfect. And did I mention Oscar? Chef’s kiss.

Kai Y.(October 2025)
Another Amazing Trip

This is the 8th MBA trip I have been on, and its another winner.

The activities that we managed to do were enjoyable and challenging but not too difficult for the average adventurer. There were some fantastic views and landscapes in the region.

The food was some of the best I've tasted. Some great local restaurants with fantastic views and cozy décor. Even the hotel buffets were not the bland continental fare you'd see with chain hotels.

Our guide Oscar was one of the best I've met. Constantly giving us updates and information on our itinerary and answering questions when needed. He dealt with any concerns with the hotels efficiently and helped us with any translations and ordering food/drinks when needed.

It was only some freak weather that meant we could not go on a scheduled hike that prevented me from giving a perfect score. Even so Oscar gave us a city tour in cadiz as an alternative activity so the day wasn't a waste.

Elizabeth C.(October 2025)
Sierras to sea adventure

Oscar did a fantastic job communicating with us as a group and individually. Our flight was delayed but he kept checking our travel status to make sure we were ok - we found this really comforting especially as we missed the first ‘bonding ‘ night. This might sound mad but the standard and size of the hotels were much higher than we anticipated - we would have actually preferred a smaller more authentic/boutique standard! The hotels were really well appointed -spacious rooms and large buffet style dining was available with choice for everyone including lots of intolerances. There was a lot of plastic water bottles in the fridge and the packed lunches ( that were the weight of bricks) were wrapped heavily in plastic. These lunches could possibly be substituted with plain bread rolls, cheese, hams , olives , fruit to eat as a shared picnic. Most of us binned the sandwiches ( sorry). The adventures were fun but definitely need to be regraded as easy. The canyoning was the most challenging. We didn’t get to hike as the weather was against us so can’t grade the walk. The sea kayaking was in a flat natural protected area- no skirts in kayaks or waves to negotiate which was a shame. The bike ride was very leisurely. Perhaps the option to hire electric could be available as some people in the group did find it tiring. We stopped quite a few times to rest which wouldn’t be necessary if e-bikes could be available. I did think we were doing the Caminito walk as our group. We were however with a lot of other people. The guide was very good though. Beautiful Andalucian scenery and fabulous restaurant selections by Oscar - he truely spoilt us. Our group was a great bunch - we had great fun.

Chris k.(October 2025)
Fantastic trip overall

Great combination of events . Relaxed well organised and really lovely choice of hotels at both locations . Fabulous food and pools . Transport to and from locations and activities was comfortable and cool . Good amount of well earned time to relax in between group .

LYNN D.(October 2025)
Lovely Mix of Mountains and Sea

This was a fantastic trip. Our guide Oscar did an amazing job keeping us organized and informed. The accommodation are nicer than I expected. I really enjoyed having time in the mountains and then spending time on the coast. Amazing scenery and the group was a great mix of people.

Adam C.(October 2025)
Andalucia Adventure

Great tour guide, accommodation, food with well run activities but the holiday was classified as moderate when I felt it should have been classified as Easy.

Mary B.(October 2025)
Spectacular adventure!!
Spectacular adventure!!

The trip to Spain was such a wonderfully thought out itinerary! I loved the hiking, biking, and canyoneering. On top of the adventure was these amazing towns and villages we were able to visit with fantastic local food! Our group became a second family on holiday with so much laughter and side trips together. Let me not forget to mention Oscar, the most dedicated guide! He and Pepe enhanced this experience further with their warm and engaging personalities☺️. I can't wait for my next adventure!

Matthew B.(September 2025)
Enjoyed an amazing experience on
Enjoyed an amazing experience on

Enjoyed an amazing experience on the Sierra to Sea Adventure. The activities, the accommodation, the locations, the food, the weather, the trip had it all! Met some great people over the course of the week, all in the capable hands of Oscar who went above and beyond as a tour guide for myself and the collective group. Thoroughly impressed with the hassle-free nature of my time away with Much Better Adventures and highly recommend to anyone looking to embrace further adventure in life.

Timothy W.(September 2025)
Sierras to Sea Adventure in Andalucia

An amazing week of adventures with wonderful people. We had a great mixture of people including couple from Australia plus 2 from New York and a wide age range. The whole trip was professionally organised and Oscar did fantastic job of briefing everyone for the next day and went the extra mile on several occasions to ensure everyone had a great time each day. Had a great time and lots of wonderful memories on every adventure including kayaking, coastal bike ride, canyoning, hiking and Camino del Rey. The 2 hours in Ronda was the icing on the cake as were the organised meals in Fontil & Ronda with local cuisine. Thanks MBA , Oscar and those on the trip for a wonderful adventure!!, the search has already began for another one in 2026.

Jordan K.(September 2025)
Great week away

Easier than expected but a great week away in a stunning part of the world. Food, hotels, and scenery were top-notch and Oscar, our guide, was fab. Longer activities and more sightseeing with less time on the bus would have been better but enjoyed the extra pool time

Dr K.(September 2025)
Sea to Sierras
Sea to Sierras

This was our first MBA holiday. The itinerary was reversed for our trip which meant the first 2 days were less active. Kayaking was not something I would choose to do but it was fun and I enjoyed the experience in a lovely setting. The organised was half the advertised length however four of us continued on to do over 30k (others in the group were very happy it was 15k). The longest walk was supposed to be 11k with 700m elevation. Because of the time of year we could only do 8k and 400m elevation. The first couple of kilometres were quite steep and the guide took it slowly so the group stayed together. Again some of us decided to walk further so we left the group at the turning point and walked down into Grazalema which was a lovely walk. Ronda is stunning and was the highlight of the trip. The hotels were fantastic, we had amazing food both in the hotels and the restaurants. The group of people were diverse and everyone brought something different. I really enjoyed spending time with the group, my fellow travellers made the experience special. Oscar our guide was great, he was knowledgeable and kept us safe. The only activity I’d grade as moderate was the canyoning which we all found challenging and enjoyable. Canyoning can be a dangerous activity, Oscar and the guides ensured the group were safe. Overall I loved this trip, the scenery was spectacular. I’ll definitely look at another MBA holiday although I’d choose one that is challenging, as I’d grade this as easy. Thank you to Oscar and my travel companions for a wonderful holiday (especially the breakaway group!)

Mark H.(September 2025)
Overall a great trip with

Overall a great trip with a diverse group of people.

Anna V.(September 2025)
Can be good If you never had an active tour before

3 stars—for the food and hotels only. I booked MBA for an experience, but the itinerary didn’t match reality and activities felt like morning filler before pool time.

Kayaking: The Sancti Petri Castle was closed; we loitered on a tiny island with minimal info from a local guide who barely spoke English. There is not much to see or explore. Brief stop on an “old Roman road” and again we just aimlessly stood there for 10 min; best bit was a beach we saw for under 10 minutes. I would not say that the scenery was beautiful or we saw marine life. It was kayaking in a harbor for the sake of kayaking , the only photo I took was on the beach,

Hiking: Marketed as “quite challenging” with endemic pines, but the trail is partly closed June–October. We did an out-and-back of <7 km with ~300 m gain—little scenery or purpose like reach the summit or admire the trees. Several of us extended the hike to self-guide walk to town afterward just to be active.

Cycling: Advertised 30 km; we did ~14 km, then people split off for self-guided riding.

Guide: Excellent logistics (hotels/dinners), minimal commentary.

Overall: difficulty is easy not moderate and the itinerary is misrepresented. Not the adventure MBA has sold.

Richard M.(September 2025)
Great trip + great group = great time!

Both locations of the trip were very impressive and totally different. However, the standard of accommodation and food was high throughout as was the quality of attentiveness of our main guide, Oscar, and the daily activities. It’s great when you plan for an activity based trip that then meets your expectations. Just waking up every day to see the bus waiting to take you on your next adventure is such a cool thing. Getting a chance to visit and explore inland Spain was something I’d wanted to do for years and it didn’t disappoint. There are other reviews here that give more details about the trip. None are exaggerated. Whilst I was hugely relieved to find our group full of friendly, entertaining and like minded travellers (some from as far afield as Brisbane and New York!) I’m fairly confident that this is the norm. I would highly recommend this trip.

Erica C.(September 2025)
An active and refreshing trip!

This trip was a much-needed taste of southern Spain. I loved the scenery of Andalucia in September and the itinerary was a perfect mix of activities in Conil de la Frontera and Grazalema - a bit challenging in the heat at times but manageable. It was ideal that we had a main activity to start each day and then had free time in the afternoon to relax - a perfect combination. I would highly recommend this trip and I’m looking forward to my next MBA adventure!

brittney L.(June 2025)
June 6-13, 2025 trip
June 6-13, 2025 trip

One of the best trips I’ve ever been on. Extremely well organized, hotels were amazing, food was so great. Half the day are the trips/excursions, other half you get to explore the beach or pool, which was perfect. The excursions they planned are amazing - canyoning through the forest of Spain I will never forget. The kayaking was beautiful and so fun. The bike trip was some of the most beautiful scenery and such a blast. The guides they hire are 10/10 - experts, kind, patient, making everyone feel safe, and great at what they do. Finally, I cannot compliment our guide Oscar enough - he is so kind, thoughtful, and easy to get a long with. He is hyper focused on making sure everyone has a great time and feels comfortable. He genuinely cares about people and is a lovely human being. Can’t brag on this trip enough! Don’t miss out on the beautiful coasts and forests of southern Spain, staying at great hotels, with a great guide.

Jessica W.(June 2025)
Fun mountains to ocean activities!!
Fun mountains to ocean activities!!

Oscar was an amazing guide, so attentive and always making sure everyone was comfortable and having fun. It was so nice to just enjoy every day and feel confident in relying on Oscar to plan the day, depending on weTher, etc. He made sure each day was perfect. Amazing, fresh food and views at the first hotel. Beautiful beach side resort at second hotel. Great trip!!

Caroline D.(June 2025)
This trip far exceeded my

This trip far exceeded my expectations. Oscar, the guide, was excellent. The group was inviting and supportive. The accommodations were better than expected. The balance of activities and down time was perfect.

Caroline M.(June 2025)
What a fantastic adventure! Well

What a fantastic adventure! Well organised from start to finish. Good communication when booking, with prompt responses to a couple of questions I had. For me it was a great balance of activities, splitting time in the mountains and then the coast. Oscar was a huge reason the trip was so good, he was attentive, kind and great fun! It was my first trip with MBA, I was really impressed. So much fun, with a fabulous group too.

William S.(June 2025)
Amazing adventure and great guides!!
Amazing adventure and great guides!!
Amazing adventure and great guides!!
Amazing adventure and great guides!!
Amazing adventure and great guides!!

I have done many adventure trips and this might just top them all. Everything was perfect. We had a wide variety of adventures, each unique in its own way.

Our guide Oscar was excellent. He took care of every detail and organized the agenda so we had the optimum weather conditions for each activity.

Oscar and Juan also gave us good history and nature education.

Oscar did an excellent job keeping us organized and we had clear expectations each day.

Oscar’s energy was contagious, and he always focused on making sure we were having fun. He truly cared about us, and we all became instant friends.

The hotels were great and, with most meals included, the trip was a great value. Oscar also arranged many of the meals so we could sample local cuisine.

I did not know that Spain had so much to offer. I highly recommend this trip to everyone!

shereen r.(June 2025)
Highly recommend

Thank you Oscar for making this trip fun, action packed and incredibly organized. From the moment we were picked up from the airport, the communication and flow of the week was exceptional. Activities all different, all challenging in their own way, but also plenty of downtime in between to enjoy the beach / town etc. Great trip for variety, hotels both amazing locations and 4 star standards. Spending 3 days in the mountains and 3 days by the beach! We ate at local restaurants, all high quality. I was a solo traveller, the activities and meals together made it easy to feel part of a team. Thanks again Oscar

AIKATERINI K.(June 2025)
Fun-filled 5 days in sunny Andalucia

We just spent an amazing 5-day adventure in beautiful Andalucia in Spain, packed with 2 beautiful hikes in thrilling Caminito del Rey and Pinsapar Trail, canyoning, kayaking and biking. The activities were well organized and guided, our hotels, food and transportations were awesome and our tour manager Oscar was simply the best, very kind, helpful and friendly. My only suggestion would be to rate this tour as easy, not moderate.

Itinerary Activities

  • Guided hike along the Caminito del Rey
  • Guided canyoning expedition in the Garganta Verde
  • Guided hike along the Pinsapar Trail in the Sierra de Grazalema
  • Guided kayak excursion in the Bay of Cadiz
  • Guided bike trip along the Cape Trafalgar route on the Costa de la Luz

Guides

  • Expert, local English speaking tour leader and guide
  • Additional kayaking, canyoning and cycling guides

Accommodation

  • 3 nights in a 4-star hotel in a stunning spot in Sierra de Grazalema natural park
  • 3 nights in a beachfront 4-star hotel in Conil de la Frontera

Meals

  • 6 breakfast buffets of fresh local produce
  • 4 picnic lunches in picturesque spots
  • 1 lunch in a local restaurant in Sierra de Grazalema
  • 5 dinners including a farewell evening meal at an Andalucian tavern
  • Wine tasting session at a winery in Chiclana de la Frontera

Transfers

  • Arrival airport transfer from Malaga Airport to accommodation in Sierra de Grazalema
  • Departure airport transfer from Conil de la Frontera to Malaga Airport
  • All other transfers throughout the itinerary

Equipment

  • Tandem sea kayaks, paddles and lifevests
  • All your canyoning gear
  • Front suspension 'hardtail' mountain bike & helmet
  • Safety gear for the Caminito del Rey hike

Permits

  • Entry permit for Caminito del Rey

Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.

Travel to and from the trip

Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.

Meals

One dinner is not included in the trip cost. This is to allow you to explore the options along the Costa de la Luz.

We recommend you budget about €25 for this dinner not included.

Tips

Tips are not included in the trip cost; these are entirely at your discretion. If you would like to tip, the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality.

You should factor in tipping 10% on top of the bill in any bars and restaurants during the trip.

Personal expenses

You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping and laundry.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine, as their insurance offers all of the above.

Visas

Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.

What's included?

  • Tandem sea kayaks, paddles and life vests
  • All your canyoning gear
  • Front suspension hardtail mountain bike and helmet
  • Safety gear on the Caminito del Rey hike

What do I need to bring?

BAGS

  • Main bag: duffel, rucksack or suitcase to be kept at bases in Ronda and Conil de la Frontera
  • Daypack (15-30 litres)
  • Waterproof liner for your daypack
  • Small drybags if you want to take your phone with you on the water-based activities

CLOTHES

  • Lightweight waterproof and windproof jacket
  • Fleece jacket or similar for cooler evenings
  • Buff or neck scarf
  • Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
  • T-shirts
  • Underwear and socks
  • Swimwear - multiple sets
  • Sunglasses with leash
  • Sunhat
  • Hiking boots or trail runners (worn-in)
  • Old trainers/trail runners for the canyoning
  • Flip flops or sandals for beach time

OTHER

  • Universal travel plug adapter
  • Power bank or solar charger
  • Passports (and visas)
  • Travel insurance documents
  • Ear plugs
  • Insect repellent
  • Suncream
  • Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
  • Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Alcohol hand-gel
  • Reusable water bottle x1 litre (or x2)
  • Biodegradable wet-wipes
  • Energy bars and snacks - read our article on Best Hiking Snacks
*Requests for optional extras can be made after booking on your “My Bookings” page

Single/Twin/Double room in Ronda room in Ronda

Payable Before Departure

Single/Twin/Double room in Ronda room in Ronda

Per night

Single room in Conil de la Frontera (April-June trips)

Payable Before Departure

Single room in Conil de la Frontera (April-June trips)

Per night

Single room in Conil de la Frontera (October trips)

Payable Before Departure

Single room in Conil de la Frontera (October trips)

Per night

Single room in Conil de la Frontera (September trips)

Payable Before Departure

Single room in Conil de la Frontera (September trips)

Per night

Twin/double room in Conil de la Frontera (April-June trips)

Payable Before Departure

Twin/double room in Conil de la Frontera (April-June trips)

Per night

Twin/double room in Conil de la Frontera (October trips)

Payable Before Departure

Twin/double room in Conil de la Frontera (October trips)

Per night

Twin/double room in Conil de la Frontera (September trips)

Payable Before Departure

Twin/double room in Conil de la Frontera (September trips)

Per night

Optional Private Room Upgrade - Apr, May & Oct trips

Payable Before Departure

Optional Private Room Upgrade - Apr, May & Oct trips

Optional Private Room Upgrade - Jun & Sep trips

Payable Before Departure

Optional Private Room Upgrade - Jun & Sep trips

Private airport transfer - each way (1-4 people)

Payable Before Departure

Private airport transfer - each way (1-4 people)

We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.

What's the number?
It works out on average at 198kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.

The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.

But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:

  • Driving 1000 miles/1609km would be approximately 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person, if there were two of you in it).
  • A return economy class flight between London and New York would be approximately 1619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
  • 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approximately 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.

What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.

Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.

Your host is an expert in outdoor adventure activities in Spain and have operated many trips for Much Better Adventures in various parts of the country since 2019. If conditions affect any of the activities on the trip, your host will rearrange the order of activities or make suitable substitutions where needed. The trip has been designed and the departure dates selected to take advantage of the best conditions for a smooth adventure.

You'll have a main guide with the group from start to finish, and additional canyoning, kayaking and cycling guides will join the group for these activities during the trip.

Your main luggage can remain at the bases in Ronda and Conil de la Frontera while you head out on each day's adventures. It will be transported for you from Ronda to Conil de la Frontera.

The tap water on this trip is safe to drink. In Ronda the water is drinkable, but it's known as being quite hard and doesn't always taste nice. The majority of people, locals and travellers alike, drink filtered water - your hotel will have filtered water available to fill up from. You may also like to check out our article on the best water filters for adventurers if you wish to have filtered water on the go.

You'll kayak in double-berth, sit-on-top kayaks which are very easy to navigate even for first-time kayakers. The water temperature in this part of Spain is comfortable all year round, so there's no need for full sea kayaks with spray skirts.

The full combined weight limit of a tandem sit-on-top kayak is 500 lbs / 226 kg / 35 stone.

You'll be riding a hardtail mountain bike with front suspension and flat pedals. You'll be fitted for the correct size of bike based on your height.

This trip operates in areas where daytime temperatures can reach extreme highs, where limited shade and high humidity can also be a factor. These conditions can affect physical performance and increase the risk of dehydration or heat-related illness. Your guide will adjust the pace and monitor the group closely, but hydration, proper clothing, and sun protection are essential.

Before travelling, consider your ability to be active in high temperatures and consult a medical professional if you have concerns – especially if you have any cardiovascular or heat-sensitive conditions. Arriving a day or two prior to the trip may help you adjust gradually to the heat.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

  • 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
  • 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
  • 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Need help finding flights?

From logistics and how to get there, to fitness, group dynamic and trip difficulty, Rory and his team of friendly experts are on hand to help.

We've got your back

Guaranteed to run

All Much Better Adventures trips are now guaranteed to run. Once you’ve booked your spot you can immediately make your travel arrangements, no uncertainty, no hanging about (excludes 'request to book' departures). Full details

Flexible payments

Secure your spot with the minimum deposit and pay off the remaining balance in as many instalments as you like, with no interest or fees. Full details

Happiness Guarantee

We’re so confident you’ll have an amazing time we’ll put our money on it. Full details

Full financial protection

To give you complete peace of mind Much Better Adventures is backed by ABTOT, ABTA and ATOL memberships. Full details

Tried & Trusted

Much Better Adventures is rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with over 1000 verified trip reviews averaging 4.8/5.

Connect before you go

You'll be invited to join a WhatsApp group to get to know each other before your big adventure together. Full details

DEPARTURE DATES

April 2026

Friday 10th April 2026

to Thursday 16th April 2026
Guaranteed to run

Friday 24th April 2026

to Thursday 30th April 2026
Guaranteed to run
Illustration of a group of people kayaking

Go private and split the bill with ease.

Forget complex logistics, we've taken care of all the details to ensure a hassle-free get together. All of the adventure, none of the faff.

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