8-day Grazalema Walking Holiday

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. If you're early, do a short hike up to the Peñon Grande peak or taste some tapas at a local bar and start to resonate with the exotic vibe of Andalusia.

Challenge: Travel to Grazalema or hike: 2,5 km / 1,5 mi; 1-1,5 hrs, 290m ascent and descent

Explore the limestone plateau of Endrinal south of Grazalema, where the combination of red earth tones against green vegetation will surprise you. Breathe in the aromas of Mediterranean plants as you hike and marvel and the dry-stone building techniques used for walls and snow-wells. Later, plan an afternoon wander to explore small village shops and select a spot to savour some refreshing sangria.

Challenge: 8.6 km / 5,3 mi, 4.5 h, 500 m ascent and descent.

A long but easy walk today from hotel to hotel doorstep, through open pasture grounds and dehesas of holm and cork oak on gentle slopes By late afternoon you’re settled in at a friendly Posada in another authentic ‘pueblo blanco’ with a Moorish past and origins dating back to Roman times and a curious 'square' bull fighting ring. It's called Villaluenga del Rosario, and located beneath a rocky outcropping. Today and tomorrow dinner is included at the restaurant of the hotel.

Challenge:  5.5 hrs, 16 km / 9,5 mi, 350 m ascent, 330 m descent

Take a step back into history as you follow the old Roman Road all the way down from Villaluenga el Rosario to lively Ubrique and enjoy a real Spanish lunch before being taken back by taxi to your posada in Villaluenga

Challenge: 8.4 km / 5,2 mi, 3 hrs, 65 m ascent,580 m descent

Say goodbye to the friendly village of Villaluenga and head for the planes called 'Llanos del Republicano'. You will 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. Although the walk is long; 2/3rds are done along wide gravel tracks.

Challenge: 17.2 km / 10,7 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. It's also possible to visit the deep natural cave of El Hundidero or admire 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