Abstract: A process for the preparation of cycloalkanols by the hydrolysis of cycloalkyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 fatty acid esters, which comprises the following steps:a) reaction of cycloalkyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 fatty acid esters with water at a temperature of from 30.degree. to 250.degree. in the liquid phase yielding a reaction mixture consisting of cycloalkyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 fatty acid esters, cycloalkanol, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 fatty acids, and water.b) separation of the reaction mixture obtained in stage a) at a temperature of from 0.degree. to 200.degree. C. into a top phase consisting substantially of cycloalkanol and cycloalkyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 fatty acid esters and a bottom phase consisting substantially of water and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 fatty acids.c) separation of cycloalkanol from the top phase obtained in stage b) by distillation and recycling unconverted cycloalkyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 fatty acid esters to stage a).