The Mountains of Ronda and Grazalema

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.

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

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