The Mountains of Ronda and Grazalema

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

While Ronda itself is famed for its striking gorge and Moorish architecture, the surrounding countryside boasts magnificent scenery at every turn. With dramatic limestone peaks, fertile river valleys and ancient groves of almonds and olives, the natural beauty of Ronda and Grazalema won't fail to impress.

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’.

Due to the storm damage the railway line is also temporarily out of action. A bus service is now operating between the two train stations, departing between 15 and 60 minutes after the scheduled train departure time. A transfer by taxi can also sometimes be organised at Bar Alioli in Estación de Jimera.

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.

Page 154- correct email address for permits request is: cv_elbosque@agenciamedioambienteyagua.es

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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