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Sierra de Grazalema walking trip
- An “undiscovered” oasis of green in the South of Spain
- A mountainous area surrounded by picturesque white-washed villages
- Marvellous limestone formations, marked by spectacular gorges
- Ronda, with its intriguing mix of Moorish and European monuments
From: 365 €
Tripcode: ESSW041
3 Comfort
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
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2 Difficulty
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
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Duration: 8 days
Details
Walking in Andalucia, Sierra de Grazalema
The Sierra de Grazalema is an "undiscovered" oasis of green, a mountainous area adorned by picturesque white-washed villages such as Grazalema, Montejaque and the lovely town of Ronda. Here, you'll have the pleasure of walking through a landscape of marvellous limestone sculptures marked by deep gorges, where vultures nest among the cliff tops. At lunchtime, stop off to replenish your energy with a round of tapas and vino enjoyed on an outdoor terrace. Then continue on through unspoilt countryside, surrounded by landscapes painted in earth tones, punctuated by brilliant white buildings against the soft grey-green of cork oak woods and Spanish silver firs. In the midst of this exquisite natural setting, you'll find charming "pueblos blancos" with exotic names like Zahara de la Sierra or Benaocaz, which recall centuries of fluctuating borders between Arab and Christian kingdoms. At the end of the week, you reach the lovely town of Ronda, one of the prettiest in Andalusia, with its intriguing mix of Moorish and European monuments.
Itinerary
Expand itinerary Collapse itineraryDay 1: Arrival in Southern Spain
Today you travel to the "Pueblos Blancos" and arrive in the lovely white-washed village of Grazalema (situated at 830m), where you'll spend the next 2 nights in a traditional village hostel with restaurant and nice cool patio.
Challenge: Travel to Grazalema
Day 2: Circular walk from Grazalema
On the first day of walking, you have a choice between 2 short circular routes. Both walks afford beautiful views and a striking combination of red earth tones adorned by green vegetation. In the afternoon, time to explore small shops in the village and enjoy some refreshment on an outdoor terrace.
Challenge: 1.5 to 3hrs walking time, min ascent 200m / max 450m.
Day 3: From Grazalema to Benaocaz
Today's route takes you through classic limestone landscapes among nearby cortijos, traditional farmhouse complexes found across the countryside. You'll traverse lovely green oak woods and characteristic Mediterranean vegetation on your way to Benaocaz, an authentic "white village" which conserves historical remains dating back to Roman times. The village sits perched on a hill, with lovely views all around.
Challenge: 4hrs walking time, 12km, ascent 400m / descent 450m.
Day 4: Circular walk from Benaocaz
In the morning, you do a short circular walk along a historic footpath to reach a popular nesting site for vultures, fantastic vista point which provides sweeping views. In the afternoon, follow the old Roman Road down to the lively town of Ubrique and option of having dinner there.
Challenge: 2.5hrs, 7km, 200m ascent/descent and 2hrs, 6km, 400m ascent/descent.
Day 5: From Benaocaz to Montejaque
Today you walk by way of tiny Villaluenga del Rosario to reach Llanos del Republicano, a valley where the river disappears into a deeply carved limestone sink. Amidst the greyish-white limestone cliffs of the Sierra, you wander through striking limestone sculptures to reach a tiny jewel of a village, Montejaque, last of the "Pueblos Blancos" on your route. Today's walk is long, but not too difficult.
Challenge: 7.5hrs, 25km, ascent 650m / descent 750m
Day 6: Choice of walking routes
Choose between 2 splendid walking routes, both of which take you right through the heart of one of the prettiest of all the "white villages", Benaoján. The route through Guadiaro River Valley starts off with a stroll to the train station, then you ride to Jimera de Libar (10min) to begin your hike. The route to Cueva de la Pileta takes you to a nearby cave with surprising formations.
Challenge: 5.5 or 4hrs, 15 or 13km, 450 or 600m in ascent / descent.
Day 7: Onward to Ronda
A rural hike which starts out with a section on an ancient cobbled path. Next you walk among fields and small family farms to reach Ronda, where a spectacular bridge spans the deep gorge and literally divides the town in two. The historical Moorish quarter is well worth a visit.
Challenge: 5hrs, 14.5km, ascent 300m / descent 275m.
Day 8: End of program
Your program comes to an end today after breakfast. Departure from Ronda.
Practical info
Included:
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transport on days 3,5 and 7
- Transfers according to program, on days 1 and 5
- Detailed route descriptions and maps
- 24-hour telephone assistance, just a phone call away
Not Included:
- Transport to first and from last accommodation
- Other meals
- Additional transfers
- Personal expenses (drinks, phone calls, tips, etc.)
Optional Services:
- Transfers from / to airports on arrival /departure can be arranged
- Additional nights can be booked at any of the standard accommodations or at conveniently-located hotels, near airports.
Reviews
Start: Grazalema
Finish: Ronda
Dates & prices
Trip availability: Year round
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| in triple room: | 365 €/person |
| in double room: | 400 €/person |
| in single room: | 535 €/person |
| solo traveller: | 595 €/person |