The Mountains of Ronda and Grazalema

Guidebook to walking in the mountains of Ronda and Grazalema in Andalucía, southern Spain. The 32 graded routes range from 4 to 16km and explore the Natural Parks of Grazalema and La Sierra de las Nieves, the 'Pueblos Blancos' (White Villages) perched high in the mountains, and the Genal and Guadiaro river valleys.

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Overview

This guidebook presents 32 mainly circular walks in the Ronda region, covering the town and its environs, the Natural Parks of La Sierra de Grazalema and La Sierra de las Nieves (both UNESCO biosphere reserves), and the Genal and Guadiaro Valleys. Ranging from 3.5-16.5km (2-10 miles), many walks are graded easy or moderate and nearly all can be done from mid-September through to mid-June, thanks to the area's comparatively mild winters.

Clear route description is illustrated with mapping, and the route summary table and 'at a glance' information boxes make it easy to choose the right walk. In addition to practical information on transport and bases, the introduction offers an overview of Andalucian plants and wildlife, geology and history, and the routes themselves include notes on points of interest, from trees to chapels and from summits to local traditions. Useful contacts, accommodation listings and a short Spanish-English glossary can be found in the appendices.

The dramatically situated town of Ronda can make a great base for a walking holiday in the mountains of Andalucia, as can any one of the picturesque 'pueblos blancos' (white villages) that nestle among the surrounding hills.

Table of Contents

Contents
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 to 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 southern 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

Updates

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October 2020

Walk 20 Grazalema Northern Circuit

In 2020 access to the track leading around the the edge of El Embalse del Fresnillo, then on down four flights of metal steps, has been cut by the local water authority following concern about the number of people swimming in the reservoir. There is, however, an easy way of circumventing the reservoir to reach the steps at the base of the reservoir.

Page 161, paragraphs 1 & 2, should be replaced by the following text:
Cut left across the old threshing floor and continue along the farm’s access track. After passing above an enclosure with feeders for goats, the track arcs hard right: here angle left along a narrow path towards a pylon, then pass through another bed-base gate. On reaching a low wall, go left towards a small, graffiti-daubed hut and another pylon at the east side of Grazalema’s reservoir, El Embalse del Fresnillo. Pass immediately right of the hut and the pylon then turn left and follow a narrow path marked by cairns up to the ridgetop, passing 5m left of a protruding finger of rock topped by a cairn – you can't miss it. Bearing right at this rock cross the ridge (where Grazalema comes into sight), descend for 20m, then angle back right.

A line of cairns leads you directly towards the imposing peak of Peñon Grande then, after about 100m, bears right and climbs to cross the ridge once more. Here bear left, following cairns, to pick up an indistinct path – still marked by cairns – which leads down across the hillside before zigzagging down to the base of the reservoir's retaining wall where you reach the bottom of a flight of metal steps. Here bear left, cross a stream, climb up through a gap in a wire fence and head left along a narrow path, following the course of a metal water pipe. This small diversion adds about an extra 400m on to the length of the walk and an extra 10min.

Then continue as per paragraph 3 on page 161.

February 2020

Walk 31

Page 209, final paragraph:

The narrow path that is reached beyond the black metal gate is very overgrown with gorse and brambles.

So rather than turning right down the track at the sign Zona de Seguridad best to stick to the main track and follow it down to the Arroyo de Bocaleones and pick up the route notes at timing 2hr 55mins.

July 2019

Route updates

Page 154-

correct email address for permits request is: cvelbosque@reservatuvisita.es

April 2019

Page 165 Image incorrectly captioned should say.

'The view south on the descent from El Reloj towards Charca Verde'.

Walk 12: page 106.
The river crossing described in line 3 of the walk description has been washed away by flash flooding. In order to cross to the River Guadiaro’s east side from the railway station, head up hill, passing left of the shop Electrica Serranía de Ronda, to meet the road leading to Ronda, the MA-7401. Turn right, cross the bridge over the Guadiaro, then on its far side hop over a crash barrier and follow a narrow path down to reach a track running along the river’s east bank. This leads you to the far side of the damaged bridge where you pick up route notes at the point ‘Sendero Río Guadiaro, 7.3km’.

Feb 2019

Walk 17 Benarrabá Circuit via Genalguacíl:

Page 133. 30min timing should read 45min.
Page 135. Following torrential rains then flooding in October 2018 the point where you cross the River Almarchal has been affected. You now have to walk closer to the farm in order to get to the river then carefully cross using a stick for balance. On the other side of the river you now need to climb over a huge tree that has fallen across the path.
Page 135. Paragraph 4. The salmon-coloured house is now painted cream.

April 2018

Page 123 - Walk 15
From the Peak make your way back down to Los Llanos del Puerto (3hr 35 mins). Here bear right and continue South not East along a broad, level track.

Page 201 - Walk 30
Access - after A-374 you take the A-384, not the A-382. Shortly past the km post 53 - not the 83 post - turn left at a sign for Area Recreativa Los Nacimientos.

Page 137 - Walk 18
The petrol station is no longer with the Repsol group but rather with AGLA.

Page 157 - last paragraph
Where it says 'cut left and go through a wire-and-post gate change to 'cut left and reaching a locked gate, cut right for 5m then go left through a small wire-and-post gate'

Thanks to Clare and Graham.

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Andalucian Flower Checklist

Andalucian Bird Checklist

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