Serranía de Ronda

Our itinerary takes us through the greatest regions of Andalucian history as well as seeing the finest scenery of Southern Spain. We begin in Arcos de la Frontera, a beautiful white village on the edge of the southern mountains.

We then continue to the sierras of Cádiz where the border between Christian and Moorish forces stabilized during the thirteenth century. Here our walk leads us through this frontier land, gradually gaining the ground that took the Christians over two hundred years to repossess. We pass through tiny villages, mere splashes of whitewash baked hard by the hot summer sun on the dark green hillsides; the pueblos blancos built in a style imported from North Africa and named accoordingly -- Benamahoma or Zahara

We end our trip in the dramatic Serranía de Ronda, in the wonderful town of Ronda overlooking a dramatic gorge that forms the basis of our last walk.

Superb, long walks in magnificent scenery and all the drama and excitement of Andalucia and its history, combined with magnificent food and excellent accommodation.

The altitude varies from about 2500 ft to over 4000 ft. It is possible to be met at lunchtime by the vehicle except for day 4.

Excellent accommodation and food throughout. Arcos -- 3 star parador. Grazalema -- 4 star hotel. Ronda -- 4 star parador.

ITINERARY

Day 1.

Arrive at Seville airport and drive south to the little whitewashed village of Arcos where we spend the next two nights in the parador

Day 2.

We drive eastwards from where we begin our first walk across low mountain scenery to the little village of El Bosque. After a picnic lunch we walk up a small valley from where we return to Arcos by road. Morning 2.5 hrs. Afternoon 2 hrs.

Day 3.

From the spectacularly sited village of Zahara we walk south across wide open scenery to lunch under a spreading oak tree. In the afternoon we follow the course of a Roman road into the sparkling village of Grazalema where we spend the next three nights in the heart of the park of the same name. Morning 2.5 hrs. Afternoon 2 hrs.

Day 4.

We head up to the highest part of the Grazalema Natural Park, a stunning walk which leads us through the Sierra del Pinar. After visting the famous pine forest of the inner sanctum of the park, we descend to the tiny village of Benamahoma. Return to Grazalema by road. Morning 4 hrs. Afternoon 2.5 hrs.

Day 5.

A lovely walk to the south of Grazalema leads up into high mountain country from where we descend to the village of Benaocaz. Morning 3.5 hrs. In the afternoon a beautifully preserved section of Roman road leads down into the town of Ubrique from where we return to Grazalema by road. Afternoon 1.5 hrs

Day 6.

We leave Grazalema on a full day walk that takes us through the mountains to the high plains of the Libar, crossing through fields of limestone boulders weathered into fantastic shapes. After lunch we descend to the village of Montejaque from where we continue to Ronda by vehicle. Morning 4 hrs. Afternoon 1.5 hrs.

Day 7.

We walk from Ronda across rolling hills to the little village of Benaojan. After our picnic lunch we continue to the village of Jimera from where we return to Ronda through the Guadalevin gorge by local train. Morning 3 hrs. Afternoon 2 hrs.

Day 8.

We return to Seville airport by road.

Maximum number of walkers: 16.

Average hours walked per day: 5

Average miles walked per day: 11