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White Towns & Rugged MountainsThe Mountains of Andalucia
Nights: 7
Starting point: Hotel Arco de la Villa (2*), Zahara de la Sierra. A spectacularly located hotel set right at the top of the village with marvellous views of the lake. Accommodation: Hotel Arco de la Villa, as above. Day 2: today’s walk takes you down to the shores of Zahara’s lake to then ascend the flanks of Mount Prieto. Your path descends into a green valley, where for centuries watermills produced olive oil, flour and woollen blankets, before rising up to a pass where the pretty village of Grazalema, hidden until now, comes into view. (15km, 5hrs) Day 3: we offer you a choice of routes for your day in Grazalema. The first gives you the opportunity to explore the Unesco-protected reserve (closed June to late October) sheltering an ancient species of fir found only here and in Morocco. Some of these pinsapos are 300 years old. Alternatively, walk through pastoral landscapes that skirt the limestone crags of the 'Goatheard's Leap' before returning by bus (pay locally), or ascend one of the Park's three main peaks, the Simancón (1,564 metres), for inspirational 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. You may be lucky enough to spot ibex as you walk. (16km, 6hrs or 12km, 4hrs or 10km, 4.5hrs) Day 4: a wonderful walk, beginning with an ascent into the lunar landscape of the Sierra del Endrinal ('Blackthorn Mountains'). Your path then follows the lip of an idyllic bowl-shaped valley to reach an abandoned farmstead set amid poplars. You descend to a limestone ridge, which you climb to gain wonderful, 360-degree views of the seemingly endless, overlapping sierras. From here you descend a stone 'stairway' to reach the village of Villaluenga del Rosario. (15km, 5.5hrs)
Day 5: this is a beautiful walk, heading over two limestone ridges on the old postman’s route, and passing fertile green valleys on the way. You reach the town of Cortes where you catch the train back up the gorge (pay locally), alighting at the sleepy hamlet of Benaoján. (16km, 5.5hrs, plus 15-minute train ride)
Day 6: finish the week with a long but fantastic walk - possibly the best of the holiday - that starts with a transfer (included) and takes in more limestone ridges, secret green valleys and stone 'stairways', as well as aromatic 'rock gardens'. (20km, 7hrs)
Recommendations for extra nights: La Mejorana (Grazalema) for extra walking; Molino del Santo (Benaoján) for relaxation and exploration (there are prehistoric caves nearby). Walk on to Ronda: walk from Benaoján to the famous white town of Ronda and add two nights at the highly praised 3-star Hotel San Gabriel - the perfect ending to a superb discovery of this area. Discover Spain's oldest bull ring, cross the astounding Puente Nuevo ('New Bridge') spanning the gorge or try our short walk around the base of the towering cliffs. Walking chart: the chart gives the distance and an approximation of the ascents and descents involved each day. If comparing holidays, please note the scale of each chart as this can differ.
City add-on: for a real contrast after your walk, why not visit vibrant, colourful Seville, staying at the stylish 4-star Casas del Rey Baeza. Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system. Similar holidays: Andalucia's Tranquil Heartland (grade 2-3), The Valleys of Las Alpujarras (grade 2), The Mountains of Alicante (grade 2), The Catalan Pyrenees (grade 2-3), Mountains & Coast (grade 2-3), The Castles of the Cathars (grade 2-3), Pyrenees to Atlantic (grade 2-3) Prices & travel 2008:
Recommended destination airports: Gibraltar, Seville & Malaga Extra night prices 2008 (extra nights can be booked at any hotel):
> Notes on prices > Any queries? Let us call you back  |
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Andalucia, Spain’s dazzling deep south, is one of Europe’s most
entrancing regions. Brilliant white towns and villages (pueblos
blancos) dot a landscape
of rugged mountains cloaked in the remains of ancient oak forests.
The striking limestone mountains and surprisingly
green valleys of the Grazalema Natural Park are ideal for exploring on foot, with inviting
trails that snake up through hidden pastures and over craggy ridges that
offer incredible views of dramatic landscapes as well as the opportunity to spot
Bonelli’s eagles and griffon vultures gliding through the skies. This is Andalucia at its wildest and most remote -
a place where you are unlikely to meet another soul on many
of your days. With plenty of ascents and descents each day, the
carefully
researched routes are challenging but thoroughly rewarding - there is a real
sense of achievement as you reach mountain passes to
discover breathtaking views usually stretching for miles over
ridge after ridge.
Surprisingly lush landscapes 
