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 Benaoj&##xe1;n to Estación de Jimera de Líbar
Walk 13 Estación de Benaoj&##xe1;n 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 Benarrab&##xe1; 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 Benaoc&##xe1;z
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