Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival Grazalema

Arrival Grazalema (830m) – approx. 3½ hours by bus from Malaga airport

Day 2:
A round hike from Grazalema, 9 miles (14km)

You will explore the “Pinsapo”, the famous forest of Grazalema and a protected area within the Nature Park, following the ancient trail that connects Benamahoma and Grazalema, beneath towering trees, more than 40 metres high. You climb to the Cumbres Mountains, with spectacular views of Grazalema and Ronda. From Benamahoma you return to Grazalema by bus or taxi.

Day 3:
A round hike from Grazalema, 4 or 6 miles (6.5 or 9.5km)

Today you have a choice of a short circular hike in the countryside nearby Grazalema or a longer round trip that takes you to the heart of the nearby Sierra del Endrinal. (ascending/descending 500m)

Day 4:
Grazalema to Villaluenga del Rosario, 7 miles (11km)

The route takes us along the famous “Salto del Cabrero” (Goatherd’s Jump); a narrow gorge with massive vertical walls only 50 metres apart, constantly watched over by soaring vultures. At the end of the route you catch a bus from Benaocaz to Villaluenga del Rosario. (ascending/descending 500m)

Day 5:
Villaluenga del Rosario to Montejaque, 12 miles (19km)

You continue walking through impressive limestone rock formations towards the Sima del Republicano and the Puerto de Correos Pass. In this beautiful landscape of Holm oaks, you may spot black-footed pigs looking for food! You get to the Líbar plains, hiking gently over this deserted landscape to Montejaque. (ascending 250m, descending 430m)

Day 6:
Round trip from Montejaque, 9 or 12 miles (14 or 19km)

Today is a round trip from Montejaque. You first head down to the station of Benaoján from where you take a beautiful path along the river Guadiaro to Jimera de Líbar. Back at the station you can reach the impressive Cueva del Gato before returning to Montejaque. (ascending 260m, descending 380m)

Day 7:
Montejaque to Ronda, 7 miles (11km)

Leaving Montejaque you hike gently along the ancient Ronda trail through a mixed landscape of trees, arable land, wild flowers…to finally come out at Ronda, the town that best conserves the romantic heritage with palaces and monuments, bullring, tapas bars, Moorish baths, etc. (ascending/descending 350m)

Day 8:
Departure from Ronda

Departure from Ronda by bus (2 hours) to Málaga airport.

Attention

from 1 June to 30 September 2011 (or as long as any drought conditions continue which will be decided by the Nature Park at the end of September) you can only enter the Pinsapo with a guide. This cost depends on the size of the group but if there is nobody else then £42 should be paid per person. Therefore, we ask for a supplement of £42 per person from 1 June to 30 September 2011 and if there happen to be more people (normally we only know this 2 or 3 days before) we will compensate by including dinner in the following hotel.