dossier

Secret Valleys of Ronda

SECRET VALLEYS OF RHONDA - DAY BY DAY

Los Castanos, AAAA, Cartajima

Los Castanos, (The Chestnuts), is set in the centre of the tiny village of Cartajima. It is a tall 3 storey whitewashed building with 7 rooms, one on the ground floor, 5 on the second and one on the third floor. The hotel interior is all open plan with white walls, terracotta floors, decorative arches and a central Moroccan style fountain The bedrooms are spacious and light with white walls, light chiffon curtains, shelves with fridges and sketchpads and high quality bedding.

Further details on the hotel website.

Saturday  Arrive in Cartajima

Pick up your rental car in Malaga and drive (90mins) to your hotel in Cartajima.

Sunday  Igualeja Circuit  16km/10mi/5hr

From Cartajima, a descent from the hotel past blood red cork oaks leads through meadows of Bermuda buttercups and ascends into Parauta – a pretty village with several tiny art galleries to explore. Lunch on the square - look out for farmers riding donkeys to work - along the trail to Igualeja, where a C14 Moorish minaret survives on the church of Santa Rosa. Relax with a cold drink on the rooftop terrace spotting flycatcher flitting past.

Monday   Sierra de las Nieves Circuit  8km/5mi/3hr or 12km/7mi/4hr

A short drive (20 mins) brings you into the moody mountains of the Sierra de las Nieves. A steady climb through scented pine trees leads to a spectacular level traverse high above the coast. Enjoy lunch amid wild rosemary with views of North Africa, before a rocky track leads up to a panoramic Spanish Civil War gun emplacement below Las Cascajeras (1415m) from where you can even see Gibraltar! Back at the hotel, cool off in the splash pool before aperitifs and dinner .

Tuesday  Pujerra Circuit  14km/9mi/5hr

Descend through chestnut trees to the steep streets of Juzcar before crossing the sparkling Genal River and ascending to the Arabic tiled roofs of Pujerra – a village famous for music and local dances. Picnic at the village mirador or enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before starting the steady climb back up to Cartajima - ring necked parakeets and short toed eagles wheel past you as you climb! This evening, why not stroll out to one of the lively village bars – Baltasar’s is a particular favorite!

Wednesday  Ronda Circuit  11km/7mi/3hr

Ronda is a strikingly beautiful town, perched precariously on a crimson cliff top and bisected by a giant gorge. Your route leads along a high parallel escarpment, then through patchwork fields of golden wheat as bee-eaters chatter overhead. On ascending into Ronda, enjoy a restaurant lunch, visit the famous bull ring, the Roman ruins, and explore the warren of cobbled back streets crammed with classic Andaluz architecture. After dinner relax with a board game in the lounge with the honesty bar for company!

Thursday  Sierra de Grazalema Circuit  15km/9mi/5hr

With a lakeside location and hilltop castle, Zahara village is an amazingly pretty place – from here a narrow valley fragrant with wild rock rose and white narcissus leads deep into the Sierra de Grazalema and emerges at a high saddle. You have dramatic views of the Garganta Verde, home to the largest vulture colony in Europe! Cool your feet in the Bocaleone River before ascending through olive groves to Zahara. After dinner on the Andaluz patio, star-gaze on the terrace with the in-house telescope!

Friday  Atajate to Cartajima  16km/10mi/5hr or 18km/11mi/6hr

This walk takes you from the tiny village of Atajate through olive groves and up to the base of the Riscos Mountains. There are wonderful views from the shattered limestone peaks - you may even be able to see Gibraltar and out to Africa on clear days. For the longer option you go into Alpandeire village where there is a small restaurant. Otherwise take a picnic - there are some fabulous lunch stops around the threshing circles on the Riscos track and all along the high route where you’re rewarded with the most panoramic of
views.

Saturday  Leave Cartajima

WALKING DETAILS

Walks on this holiday are on rural paths and tracks. There are some short, loose rocky sections on Tuesday and a couple of steepish climbs. Walking boots are essential.