Inland from the Costa del Sol, the mountains of Ronda and Grazalema form one of Andalucia's most spectacular and rewarding walking landscapes. Dramatic limestone peaks, deep river gorges, ancient white villages perched above terraced hillsides and two UNESCO biosphere reserves combine to offer a walking experience that is worlds away from the coast, just an hour or so to the south.

With walks suited to regular walkers of most abilities, this second edition Cicerone guidebook by Guy Hunter-Watts and Mike Yeatman covers 32 graded routes across three areas, ranging from 4 to 16km (2 to 10 miles) and taking between 1 and 5 hours. Routes are paired with 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files, with refreshment stops, walking bases, and access information for each area.

• 32 graded walks divided across three areas, covering Ronda and the Sierra de las Nieves, the Genal and Guadiaro valleys, and the Sierra de Grazalema, with walks graded from easy to difficult and suited to most regular walkers
• Ronda, one of Andalucia's most celebrated towns, is covered with multiple routes, including the dramatic Ronda Gorge circuit and a historical walk through the old town, making this the ideal walking companion for any visit to the city
• The Sierra de Grazalema, a UNESCO biosphere reserve and one of the wettest corners of Spain, is described in depth with routes including the Pinsapar walk through the ancient Spanish fir forest, the Garganta Verde gorge and the ascent of El Torreón
• The Pueblos Blancos, the whitewashed hilltop villages of Zahara de la Sierra, Grazalema, Gaucín, Benarrabá and their neighbours, serve as walking bases throughout, each with its own character and history described in the guidebook
• 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files are provided for every walk, with notes on history, geology, plants and wildlife and a Spanish-English glossary throughout

A long walking season from mid-September to mid-June makes this a particularly appealing destination for winter and spring walking breaks. This guidebook is the essential companion for exploring the mountains of Ronda and Grazalema on foot.

The Mountains of Ronda and Grazalema - Quick Facts

Area: Mountains of Ronda and Grazalema, Andalucia, southern Spain 
Protected areas: Sierra de Grazalema UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Sierra de las Nieves UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and National Park 
Total walks: 32 
Walk distances: 4 to 16km (2 to 10 miles) 
Walk duration: 1 to 5 hours 
Grades: Easy, medium and difficult 
Difficulty: Suited to most regular walkers; all routes within the capabilities of anyone who walks regularly 
Areas covered: Ronda and the Sierra de las Nieves, Genal and Guadiaro valleys, Sierra de Grazalema 
Walks highlighted: Ronda Gorge circuit, Ronda Old Town historical circuit, Pinsapar Spanish fir forest walk, Garganta Verde gorge, ascent of El Torreón, Zahara de la Sierra circuit, Gaucín circuit 
Key landmarks: Ronda and its famous gorge, Grazalema, Zahara de la Sierra, Pueblos Blancos (white villages), ancient Spanish fir forest (Pinsapar), Cueva de la Pileta prehistoric cave 
Centres: Ronda, Grazalema, Zahara de la Sierra, Gaucín, Benarrabá, Benaoján, Jimera de Líbar, El Burgo 
Mapping: 1:50,000 maps included for every walk 
Digital navigation: Downloadable GPX files included 
Best time to visit: Mid-September to mid-June; summer temperatures are too high for easy walking; winter snowfall is possible on higher routes 
Special features: Notes on history, geology, plants and wildlife; accommodation appendix; Spanish-English glossary 

Author Highlight

"The market town of Ronda, the largest of los Pueblos Blancos (the White Villages), is cradled between two of the region’s most beautiful Natural Parks: the Sierra de las Nieves to the east and the Sierra de Grazalema to the west. Both areas boast UNESCO biosphere status thanks not only to their great natural beauty but also to the diversity of their 
wildlife and plants."

- Guy Hunter-Watts, author of The Mountains of Ronda and Grazalema

Map key
Overview map
Author's preface

Introduction
The three regions
Plants and wildlife
Geology
Andalucían historical overview
When to go
Getting there and getting around
Accommodation
Eating out in southern Spain
Language
Money
Phones and wi-fi
What to take
Maps
Staying safe
Using this guide

Ronda and the Sierra de las Nieves
Walk 1    Puerto de Caucón circuit via El Tajo de la Caina
Walk 2    El Peñon de los Enamorados circuit
Walk 3    Los Sauces circuit via La Cueva del Agua
Walk 4    El Burgo circuit via Puerto de la Mujer
Walk 5    La Torrecilla circuit via Puerto de los Pilones
Walk 6    Ronda Gorge circuit
Walk 7    Ronda southern circuit via the Tajo del Abanico and the Virgen de la Cabeza chapel
Walk 8    Ronda Old Town historical circuit

The Genal and Guadiaro Valleys
Walk 9    Cartajima eastern circuit via Parauta and Igualeja
Walk 10    Cartajima circuit via Pujerra and Júzcar
Walk 11    Alpandeire circuit
Walk 12    Estación de Benaoján to Estación de Jimera de Líbar
Walk 13    Estación de Benaoján to La Cueva de la Pileta
Walk 14    Estación de Jimera circuit
Walk 15    Cortes de la Frontera circuit via Los Pinos
Walk 16    Cortes de la Frontera southern circuit
Walk 17    Benarrabá circuit via Genalguacíl
Walk 18    Gaucín circuit
Walk 19    Montejaque circuit

The Sierra de Grazalema
Walk 20    Grazalema northern circuit
Walk 21    Grazalema southern circuit
Walk 22    Grazalema to Benaocáz
Walk 23    The Pinsapar of Grazalema
Walk 24    Puerto de las Palomas circuit via the Coros peak
Walk 25    Villaluenga circuit via Navazo Alto and Bajo
Walk 26    Ascent of El Torreón
Walk 27    El Gastor circuit via Lagarín and Las Grajas
Walk 28    El Gastor circuit via Huerta Lagarín
Walk 29    The Garganta Verde
Walk 30    Algodonales circuit via El Canalizo
Walk 31    Zahara de la Sierra circuit
Walk 32    Benamahoma circuit

Appendix A    Route summary table
Appendix B    Useful contacts
Appendix C    Accommodation
Appendix D    Glossary
Appendix E    Further reading

Seasons

Andalucía has a long walking season thanks to its comparatively mild winters: you can enjoy nearly all the walks described in this guide any time from mid-September through to mid-June. During the summer months temperatures can be too high for easy walking whilst occasional snowfalls in winter can make the higher walks more challenging.

Centres

Ronda, Grazalema, Zahara de la Sierra, El Burgo, Júzcar, Benarrabá, Genalguacíl, Gaucín, Montejaque, Benaoján, Jimera de Líbar, Igualeja, Alpandeire, Cartajima, Benamahoma

Difficulty

Walks are graded Easy, Medium and in just a couple of cases, Difficult, although all routes would be well within the capabilities of anyone who walks on a regular basis

Must See

Ronda, with its dramatic gorge; the UNESCO biosphere reserves of La Sierra de Grazalema and La Sierra de las Nieves; dramatic limestone peaks; fertile river valleys; almond blossom in early Spring

May 2025

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