Walking Tours in spain

Sierras to the Sea

This varied holiday starts in Ronda for a taste of the history and culture of Andalucia. There are lots of things to see and experience, so arrive as early as you can to make the most of your visit. The New Bridge together with the bullring are the recognised images of the city and rightly so. The first attempt at a new bridge in 1735 was a single span 35m arch, which unfortunately collapsed a mere 8 months after it was built. The replacement took over 40 years to build but has stood the test of time for over 200 years and still provides the most distinctive image of Ronda. The bullring is another fine piece of architecture and even if you do not approve of the reason for it being there it would be a shame not to take a look around. Arab Walls and city gates are worth walking around if time allows, confirming the strategic importance of the city and the need to defend this hilltop stronghold. The grand houses, palaces, churches, convents and Arabic public baths, all show how the inhabitants have lived over the ages. Many have gardens, courtyards and patios in a North African style from where you can get sweeping views across the surrounding countryside from atop the escarpment.

After the delights of Ronda head for rural Grazalema, put on your walking boots and be ready to discover the high sierras and famous ‘white villages’ of Andalucia. The Grazalema Natural Park, declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, covers a vast area of limestone scenery rich in vegetation, consisting of Mediterranean species: holm oaks, cork oaks, gall oaks, wild olives and carob trees. There is also interesting bird life with a healthy population of birds of prey and in particular vultures. The limestone has been eroded into gorges, caves, ridges and gullies, a wilderness punctuated by the many white villages often perched on a hill top or nestled into the hillside. From the town of Grazelema we cross the Mountains on foot, heading south, passing another beautiful village, Villaluenga del Rosario, the highest in the province of Cadiz. Sheep and goats graze on evergreen meadows producing delicious, highly prized cheeses. The train takes us south to Jimena de la Frontera an old course of the Guadiaro River to Jimera de Líbar station 13th century Romano-Moorish castle. Jimena de la Frontera, which has recently been fortified frontier town with a 13 designated a “Parque Cultural”, is one of the traditional white villages in the foothills of the Ronda mountains. It is primarily an agricultural community well off the main tourist track but has a reputation as a good base for outdoor activities especially walking and riding. You have a full day to explore the countryside of the magnificent remote and wild Alcornocales Park and discover some of the varied history of this unspoilt landscape.

Boarding the train south once more, head towards the coast at Algeciras where you will be met by a driver and taken to the start of the final walk through the Estrecho Nature Reserve. The route heads towards the sea and then follows the coastline passing rocky beaches, old military installations and dark-coloured cattle grazing on the coastal hillsides. It is a wild landscape where two seas meet and you can stare out to Africa, just 14km away, as you arrive in the narrow cobbled streets of old Tarifa. The original castellated city walls of this ancient town are tightly woven into the fabric of the whitewashed houses. Here you can visit the Roman ruins of Bolonia, the beaches or if you opt to stay in Tarifa for an extra day you can take a trip to Morocco. 

Holiday Options