dossier

Secret Valleys of Ronda

Day 1 - Arrival
Pick up your rental car in Malaga and drive to your hotel in Cartajima  (1.5hrs)

Day 2 - Igualeja Circuit 16km/10mi/6hr
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. You may pass farmers riding donkeys to work as you cross an oak-clad valley for lunch on the square in Igualeja, where a C14 Moorish minaret still survives on the church of Santa Rosa. Follow the rushing Genal River back down the valley, then relax with a cold drink on the rooftop terrace spotting flycatcher and firecrest flitting past.

Day 3 - Sierradelas Nieves Circuit 12km/7mi/4hr
A short drive (20 mins) brings you into the moody mountains of the Sierra de las Nieves, (Snowy Mountains). 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 in the lounge.

Day 4 - Pujerra Circuit 14km/9mi/5hr

Descend through chestnuts 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 – Sylvia’s and Baltasar’s are particular favourites!

Day 5 - Ronda Circuit 11km/7mi/4hr
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 and visit the famous bull ring, the Romam Ruins, and stroll back streets of classic Andaluz architecture. After dinner relax with a board game in the lounge with the honesty bar for company!

Day 6 - Sierrade Grazalema Circuit 15km/9mi/5hr
With a lakeside location and hilltop castle, Zahara village is a hopelessly pretty place – from here a narrow valley fragrant with wild rock rose and white narcissus leads deep into the Sierra de Grazalema to emerge at a high saddle. You have dramatic views of the Garganta Verde, home to the largest vulture colony in Europe! Paddle your feet in the Bocaleone River before ascending through olive groves to Zahara. After dinner on the Andaluz patio, stargaze on the terrace with the in house telescope!

Day 7 - Montecorto Circuit 15km/9mi/5hrs
A panoramic trail leads out from the gurgling aqueducts and swaying palm trees of Montecorto village - you may meet a gaggle of local ladies out for their morning stroll - before crossing picturesque open valley of barley fields and tumbledown farms with amazing views over the smoky Grazalema mountains. Picnic in the shade by ancient Roman silver mines, then a high track above an azure lake leads you into Montecorto where you can drop into Cristobal’s Bar to join the locals for a drink.

Day 8 - Leave Cartajima

Drive back to Malaga airport to catch your flight home.