Sierra de Grazalema walking trip

Travel to Southern Spain’s ‘white villages’, the ‘Pueblos Blancos’, and arrive in lovely white-washed Grazalema. Situated at an elevation of 830m, this welcoming spot will be your home for the next two nights. Taste some tapas at a local bar and start to resonate with the exotic vibe of Andalusia.

Challenge: Travel to Grazalema

Your first day presents a choice of short circular routes from Grazalema. Both walks afford picture-perfect views and a striking combination of red earth tones against green vegetation. Breathe in the aromas of Mediterranean plants as you hike. Later, plan an afternoon wander to explore small village shops and select a spot to savour some refreshing sangria.

Challenge: 4 - 8.5 km / 2,5 - 5,5 mi, 1.5 / 4.5 h, 290 / 500 m ascent and descent.

Again, the choice is yours! Explore limestone terrain, holm and cork oak groves and traditional ‘cortijo’ ranches. One option goes door-to-door and leads up to the pass at Puerto Boyar, an excellent way to test your route-finding skills especially in foggy weather. The longer option provides easier walking on flat terrain, ending with a taxi transfer from Villaluenga to Benaocaz. By late afternoon you’re settled in at another authentic ‘pueblo blanco’ with a Moorish past and origins dating back to Roman times.

Challenge:  (to Benaocaz) 5 hrs, 12 km / 7,5 mi, 500 m ascent, 550 m descent

                        (to Villaluenga) 5.5 hrs, 15.5 km 9,5 m, 350 m ascent, 330 m descent

What is not to love? A loop walk on historic cobbled footpaths, a popular nesting site for dozens of vultures, a fantastic vista point with overwhelming views. In short, a perfect day! This evening opt to hike the old Roman Road down to lively Ubrique, explore the town and perhaps enjoy dinner there.

Challenge: 5 - 7 km / 3 - 4,5 mi, 1.5 / 3 hrs, 200 / 465 m ascent, 200 / 465 m descent

Jump in the taxi for a short transfer to Villaluenga del Rosario, the starting point for today’s walk dramatically situated beneath a rocky outcropping. Trundling down to Llanos del Republicano, you discover a secret valley where a the river sinks into a deep limestone cave in the ground. Sandwiched between the Sierra de Libar and Sierra del Palo, your route traverses grey-white limestone hills and impressive karstic formations to reach one of the Serranía de Ronda’s prettiest towns: Montejaque, where you check off the last ‘pueblo blanco’ on your list.

Challenge: 17.5 km / 11 mi, 6 h, 500 m ascent, 970 m descent.

Make up your mind once again and this is a tough one. Opt for a lovely loop via El Hacho Peak, taking wide gravel tracks through Campobuche Valley and dirt footpaths among olive groves. Or trek to the cave paintings at ‘Cueva de la Pileta’, with a short bit on the road followed by a peaceful section through a wood and a final steep ascent. Retrace your steps afterwards, order a taxi from the Cave or walk down to Benaoján Estación and savour a delectable Spanish lunch at Restaurant Molino del Santo.

Challenge:  El Hacho: 8 km / 3,5 mi, 3 - 3.5 hrs, 325 m ascent and descent
                       Cueva de la Pileta: 6 -13 km / 3,5 - 8 mi , 2.5 / 5 hrs, 325 / 625 m ascent, 325 / 625 m descent

Wander through evocative rural landscapes with a first section on an ancient cobbled footpath. Walk through fields of spring poppies, passing family farms on your way to Ronda. Here the local attention-getter is without a doubt ‘el Puente Nuevo’, a spectacular bridge spanning the deep gorge and literally dividing the town in two. Get lost later on narrow lanes in the historic Moorish quarter, select a terrace for tapas and toast to this splendid adventure in ‘Al-Andalus’.

Challenge: 4.5 hrs, 11.5 km / 7 mi, 440 m ascent, 420 m descent

Your self-guided walking trip comes to an end today after breakfast.

Challenge: Departure from Ronda