Walking in Andalucia

TRIP PREVIEW - 5 days/6 nights

The mountainous areas of the Serrania de Ronda and the Parque Natural de Grazalema provide the backdrop for six magnificent days of walking, sightseeing, eating and drinking. Historic white-washed Moorish villages, ancient droverīs trails, old Roman roads and paleolithic cave painting. Wherever you go in this part of Andalucia, you cannot fail to come across signs of what an important historical and geographical crossroads it was, and still continues to be.

Level: Suitable for keen, recreational walkers.

Terrain:
The walking is along defined paths and trails, but due to the geology of the area, there is often loose rock underfoot. Max ascent approx. 800 metres.

Distance:
Daily (except Thursday) 10 to 15 kms

Climate:
Set two valleys back from the Mediterranean, you can expect long, hot summers and short mild winters.

Food:
The Andalucian climate means that a wealth of fresh produce is available. We will visit the best restaurants in the area, all tried and tested by us.

Trip start and End: By arrangement

Some examples of where you could stay:
Hotel Puerta de la Villa
Hotel Cortijo Aguila Real

What's included:

• Two experienced guides and full support throughout
• 6 nights accomodation in 3 -4* hotels
• 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners ( dinner on day 3 in Ronda is independent.)
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Daily snacks, fruit and water
• All entrance fees to museums and historical sites
• Use of spacious air-conditioned minibus
• Luggage transfer

DAY 1 Ronda
After meeting your guides, you will be transferred to the famous city of Ronda where you will be based for the next few days. After settling into the hotel, there will be a familiarisation tour of the city, giving you an idea of its history and topography. The tour finishes with a visit to the Ronda bull ring, one of the finest in Spain and generally accepted as where the art of bullfighting on foot began. Drinks and dinner in Ronda, with a short talk outlining the plans for the rest of the week.
Hotel La Casona, D

DAY 2 Ronda - Benoajan (15kms)
After breakfast in the hotel, we walk out from Ronda into the surrounding countryside and look back to see amazing views of the city and its gorge towering above us. This walk follows the old droverīs trail between Ronda and Benoajan and we visit a 9th century Mozarabic church, the "Virgen de la Cabeza" on our way. After about three and a half hours we reach Benaojan in time to have tasty lunch at El Molino de Santo. After lunch we visit the Cueva de la Pileta, a Paleolithic cave dwelling discovered at the beginning of the 20th century. Early evening back to the hotel in time for a well- earned a rest, before dinner in an authentic Andaluz restaurant.
Hotel La Casona, B, L, D

DAY 3 Ronda - Montejaque (10Kms)
Today's walk takes us into the spectacular Libar valley, with its craggy limestone and oak - strewn landscape. The walk of the hidden valley meanders along goatīs trails between verdant grassy pastures, encountering the local Pata Negra (Black Legged) pigs who forage for acorns under the oaks. We stop for a refreshing drink and some light tapas at an old threshing ring, and cool off under the dappled light of the old oak trees. The walk takes about three hours and finishes up where we started. A short drive to a private house for lunch, with a chance for a quick swim or shower. This house has glorious views back towards Ronda and will give us a chance to eat well and relax before we continue onwards to visit Ronda El Viejo. This is the original Ronda of Roman times and the Amphitheatre is still intact and in remarkable condition. Back to Ronda for an independent dinner in the town.
Hotel La Casona, B, L,

DAY 4 Ronda - Grazalema (12kms)
Today we transfer to your next hotel in the heart of the Grazalema Natural Park. This park was voted a protected Biosphere by UNESCO in 1975 and is home to the rare Pinsapo pine. Our walk today winds down through ancient stands of trees, with breathtaking vistas of the surrounding countryside. The terrain is rugged and after about three hours leads us down to the enchanting village of Benaocaz, nestled into the side of a hill. Here we stop for a tapas lunch in a local bar before continuing onwards down a cobbled Roman road down to the village of Ubrique. Ubrique is renowned for the quality of its leather goods and you will have an oppurtunity to browse its shops before we return back to Grazalema for dinner in the hotel.
Hotel Puerta de la Villa, B, L, D

DAY 5 Grazalema - Jerez - Arcos (11Kms)
A day off walking today! We drive to Jerez, a city famed for sherry, wine and horses. In the morning we will enjoy the spectacular display of the Real Escuela de Caballos (Royal School of Horses), where the horses have been schooled to perform impressive feats of skill. Lunch is in one of our favourite restaurants and is followed by a tour of the Gonzalez Byass sherry bodega. This bodega produces Tio Pepe sherry, which is exported to more than twenty countries across the world. There will be a chance to try some of their sherries and brandies as well as to buy some vintages unavailable elsewhere. We return via Arcos de la Frontera, an ancient castellated town, positioned atop a limestone column, commanding spectacular views of all of the surrounding countryside.Here you will have a chance for an early evening stroll around the old quarter of the town, before sitting down for dinner in the exquisite Parador. Back to Grazalema after a memorable day.
Hotel Puerta de la Villa, B, L, D

DAY 6 Grazalema - Zahara (14kms)
After a short drive to the village of Benahoma, we set off on a four to five hour walk to the town of Zahara de los Atunes. Plunging gorges, a couple of good climbs and a chance to see the majestic Griffon Vultures soaring high above you. The terrain is not difficult as the walk runs mainly along tracks, giving you the opportunity to make the most of your last day of marvelling at Andaluciaīs sweeping landscapes . A picnic lunch and then on to visit to an old olive mill where they still use mill stones to produce some of the finest Virgin olive oil in the area. Back to Grazalema for a shower and a rest before your final dinner in a local restaurant in the village.
Hotel Puerta de la Villa, B, L, D

DAY 7
Transfer to your departure point