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White Towns & Rugged Mountains

Andalucia – limestone ridges & wild panoramas

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Andalucia
White Towns & Rugged Mountains

Combine a discovery of the atmospheric city of Ronda with rewarding walking in the Grazalema Natural Park on this self-guided holiday, with luggage transported. Savour far-reaching views of dramatic limestone peaks, encounter a wide variety of flora and fauna and stay in authentic and welcoming hotels.

White Towns & Rugged Mountains. 7 nights

+44 (0)1653 617001

Call now

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White Towns & Rugged Mountains. 7 nights

+44 (0)1653 617001

Call now

Jump to...
Overview
Gallery
Itinerary
Accommodation
Extend your stay
Prices & travel
Reviews
FAQs / Tips

Holiday information

- Holiday type
  
  Walking
- Grade 2-3
  
  Moderate-to-challenging walking on more rugged terrain with significant ascents / descents on most days. Compass skills may be required (check the individual holiday).
  
  Moderate-to-challenging
- Terrain
  
  Mountain paths, drovers’ trails, meadows
- Average carbon footprint
  
  Let's be clear on carbon
  We want you to be able to make an informed choice when deciding on a holiday, and to see how holidays compare in terms of their average carbon footprint. Read our carbon scores page to find out how we calculate it.
  
  79kg CO₂e per person, excluding travel
- Nights
  
  7
- Accommodation
  
  One guesthouse; one rural hotel; one 2-star hotel; one 4-star hotel
- Meals
  
  Breakfast every day, 6 dinners, 3 picnics
- Included extras
  
  Prices include a permit for the protected area of the Grazalema Natural Park, subject to availability. See Itinerary for details.
- Price (excluding flights)
  
  From £1105pp
- Travel options
  
  We can arrange flights and connecting transfers (or simply the latter) – see ‘Prices & Travel’. Alternatively, please contact us about travelling by train from London.
- Start
  
  Any day
- When you can travel
  - J
  - F
  - M
  - A
  - M
  - J
  - J
  - A
  - S
  - O
  - N
  - D
  The season for this holiday is:
  15 April 2023 - 15 June 2023
  01 September 2023 - 31 October 2023
  14 March 2024 - 15 June 2024
  01 September 2024 - 31 October 2024

A walking holiday in Andalucia

Andalucia, Spain’s dazzling deep south, is one of Europe’s most enchanting regions. Brilliant white towns and villages (pueblos blancos) punctuate a landscape of rugged mountains dotted with ancient oak forests. The striking limestone mountains and surprisingly green valleys of the Grazalema Natural Park are ideal for exploration 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, dotted with white houses glinting in the sun. Fittingly, you finish in dramatic Ronda, the most famous pueblo blanco of them all.

Gallery

The magnificent lake of Zahara

En route to the village of Montejaque

Andalucian café culture

A typical walk around Grazalema

Looking out from Ronda

Ronda church and bell tower

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.

The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

Spring flowers start to appear in February, although the best time is mid-April to mid-May. In March, the flowering gorse bushes provide a yellow carpet on the slopes.

Average temperatures and rainfall

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
°C	11	11	14	16	20	24	29	29	25	19	14	11
mm	111	102	83	76	52	33	13	13	32	79	128	124

Walking in the Grazalema Sierra

An introduction (and a note on permits)

An introduction (and a note on permits)

Knowing this area as we do, we are able to provide you with a wide selection of walking routes. Please note that access to the protected areas within the Natural Park is strictly controlled by entry permits of which a limited number are released each day in order to protect the unique bio-reserves. These areas are usually closed between June and mid-October and, in addition, the Natural Park authorities may also very occasionally close them at short notice during particularly dry weather to prevent the risk of fire. We provide the permits, which will be waiting at your first hotel, but if, for whatever reason, permits are unavailable we provide notes for other, equally enjoyable, routes. A permit is required for the walks marked with an asterix (*).
Arrival

Arrival in Zahara de la Sierra

Arrival in Zahara de la Sierra

Night 1: at Hotel Al Lago or Arco de la Villa (the first of two nights here).
As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
Day 1

Choice of walks from Zahara: 9km to 15km

Choice of walks from Zahara: 9km to 15km

Garganta Verde*: 9km, 6hrs; ascent 525m / descent 710m
This is a fabulous route through the Garganta Verde (‘Green Gorge’), a dramatic limestone cleft which explodes with spring flowers and is home to over 200 pairs of Griffon vultures. After a short taxi transfer, you descend through the gorge, often by means of steps, passing typical Mediterranean vegetation of mastic and turpentine bushes, mixed with carob trees. From a viewing platform you may see the vultures' nesting sites, plus choughs, crag-martins and Alpine swifts, before reaching a huge cave, the hermitage, overhung with wild fig-trees and ferns. (*Permit required.)

Llanos de Ravel*: 15km, 5.5hrs; ascent 600m / descent 880m
Also beginning with a short transfer, this lovely, undemanding walk leads you down into a beautiful, wooded bowl of a valley – its name, Ravel, comes from the Arabic for lute, due to its shape. You may wish to linger in this idyllic spot, relaxing, exploring or viewing (from the outside) the Park nursery, where many young Pinsapo trees are grown from seed. After visiting the valley, you return to the road by the same track, to then take an ancient pathway back to the village of Zahara. (*Permit required.)

Above Zahara via Bocaleones: 14km, 5.5hrs; ascent / descent 630m
Enjoy a circular route that begins with a descent to the Bocaleones stream. After crossing open farmland, you follow the valley of the Parralejo stream up to the Breña Pass. From here, a mixture of broad forestry tracks and narrow paths lead you down into another valley, at which stage great views open out over the gorges of Garganta Seca and Garganta Verde. Return to Zahara via the castle.

Explore the Garganta Verde

Garganta Verde: 9km

Llanos de Ravel: 15km

Above Zahara via Bocaleones: 14km
Day 2

Zahara de la Sierra to Grazalema: 16km, 5.5hrs; ascent 720m / descent 350m

Zahara de la Sierra to Grazalema: 16km, 5.5hrs; ascent 720m / descent 350m

A long, steady walk along old drovers' trails which takes you down to the shores of Zahara’s reservoir, to then ascend the rounded slopes of Mount Prieto, which separates the two villages. Your path then descends once more, this time into the green valley of Gaidovar, where for centuries water mills produced olive oil, flour and woollen blankets, before climbing up to a pass where your destination, the pretty village of Grazalema, hidden until now, comes into view. You stay at La Mejorana for two nights.

Grazalema

Zahara de la Sierra to Grazalema: 16km
Day 3

Choice of walks from Grazalema: 9.5km to 14.5km

Choice of walks from Grazalema: 9.5km to 14.5km

Linear route through the Pinsapo forest*: 14.5km, 5.5hrs; ascent 610m / descent 1030m
Ascend to the ridge above Grazalema for far-reaching views north across overlapping ranges. Your route skirts the side of the ridge and descends into the Pinsapar, a mysterious forest of rare Spanish firs (Abies pinsapo). You descend some 800 metres, passing through changing vegetation of mastic and mixed oaks to arrive at the pretty village of Benamahoma. Return to Grazalema by taxi. (*Permit required.)

Grazalema to Benaocaz: 11km, 4.5hrs; ascent 515m / descent 540m
This is one of the classic walks from Grazalema – a beautiful route which leads over the Sierra del Endrinal (‘Blackthorn Mountains’) into a secret valley encircled by a sheer rock wall in which a ruined farmhouse is surrounded by poplars and tiny streams. It then drops down through green valleys between limestone ridges to the white village of Benaocaz. You return by taxi.

Circular walk via Dornajo: 12km, 4.5hrs; ascent/descent 640m
This route also leads from Grazalema to the ruined farmhouse, but the return leg takes a different path: down through a valley that lies below the peak of the Peñon Grande.

Climbing Simancón: 9.5km, 4.5hrs; ascent / descent 810m
This route gives you the chance to bag a 1,564-metre peak without a great amount of effort and be rewarded with inspirational 360-degree views. You may also be lucky enough to see ibex as you walk.

The Two Valleys: 13km, 5hrs; ascent / descent 620m
This is a lovely circular walk through a varied landscape. Instead of scenery of limestone mountains, you discover a lost world, where ruined farms, overgrown threshing floors and collapsed stone walls evidence a time when countryfolk once made their living from the land, traversing the very same paths that you do.

The mountains surrounding Grazalema

Linear route through the Pinsapo forest: 14.5km

Grazalema to Benaocaz: 11km

Circular walk via Dornajo: 12km

Climbing Simancón: 9.5km

The Two Valleys: 13km
Day 4

Grazalema to Benaoján: 23km, 8hrs; ascent 740m / descent 1165m

Grazalema to Benaoján: 23km, 8hrs; ascent 740m / descent 1165m

Today's walk winds through some of the most interesting and beautiful pastoral scenery in the Park, with the limestone mountains providing a continual backdrop. You start through cork-oak woods on an old drovers’ trail out of Grazalema, which soon gives way to a narrow muleteers’ path heading over two limestone ridges to then descend, partly on a lovely old cobbled path, to the railway station hamlet below Benaoján, called La Estación, and the highly acclaimed Molino del Santo, where you spend the next two nights. (If you would prefer a slightly easier day, there is an 18km option which can be shortened even further if you arrange a taxi for the last leg.)

Pastoral countryside

Grazalema to Benaoján: 23km
Day 5

Choice of walks from Benaoján: 3.5km or 19.5km

Choice of walks from Benaoján: 3.5km or 19.5km

Montejaque circuit: 19.5km, 7hrs; ascent 685m / descent 930m
Today the main walking option is a beautiful circuit which begins with a taxi transfer (included) to the nearby village of Montejaque, which you passed yesterday. The route passes through spectacular scenery, from limestone ridges and stone stairways to ‘rock gardens', wonderful green valleys and olive groves, and is one of our favourite walks. It's quite long, but well worth it!

Pileta Caves: 3.5km, 1hr, each way
Alternatively, spend a more leisurely day visiting the caves at Pileta (pay locally), where you follow a series of underground caverns, passageways and steps to see fascinating limestone formations in the form of stalagmites and stalactites, as well as Palaeolithic and Neolithic wall paintings. To return, you can either take a taxi (pay locally), or walk the relatively short distance back.

The Montejaque circuit is one of our favourite routes

Montejaque circuit: 19.5km

Pileta Caves: 3.5km each way
Day 6

Benaoján to Ronda: 14.5km, 6hrs; ascent 725m / descent 450m

Benaoján to Ronda: 14.5km, 6hrs; ascent 725m / descent 450m

If you choose to walk to Ronda (there is also the option to travel by train; pay locally), this pretty route leads you between ridges and valleys, passing a chapel and several isolated farmhouses before descending through a wood of holm oaks and along a wooded gully to enter Ronda through the lower town walls.

Make your way to Ronda on foot or by train

Benaoján to Ronda: 14.5km

Accommodation

You stay in authentic pueblos blancos (white towns and villages) at welcoming hotels.

In some places, we work with more than one hotel, as shown below. All are hand-picked by us and, unless there is a price implication (in which case we will contact you to discuss your options), we will tell you which one we have booked for you on your booking confirmation.

Whichever hotels you stay in, we recommend extra nights in both Grazalema and Benaoján to enjoy further walking, and in Ronda to see more of the city.

- Alternative hotel
  
  Nights 1-2
  Hotel al Lago
  Zahara de la Sierra
  
  rural hotel
  This is an intimate hotel promising a highly personalised service – there are just six stylish bedrooms, each with a balcony overlooking the nearby lake. However, the real focus is on the lakeside restaurant, where you can savour superb interpretations of traditional Andalucian dishes featuring the best local produce. There is a small sun terrace on which to relax.
  
  Meal arrangements: dinner & breakfast
- Back
  
  Nights 1-2
  Hotel Arco de la Villa
  Zahara de la Sierra
  A modern, welcoming hotel in a magnificent position on a cliff at the top of the village from where there are marvellous views over the nearby lake. As you stay on a bed and breakfast basis, you are free to dine out at local restaurants (pay locally).
  
  Meal arrangements: breakfast only
Nights 3-4
La Mejorana
Grazalema
- guesthouse
This is a delightfully renovated and beautifully furnished guesthouse with just nine pretty bedrooms. Run with great attention to detail by the charming Andres and Ana, it boasts enviable views over the village to the sierra beyond. It is no more than a few minutes’ walk to the wide variety of bars and restaurants in the village. The focal point of the guesthouse is the large ground-floor sitting room with its beamed ceiling, reading corner, board games, fireplace and mountain views. Even better vistas are enjoyed by the three terraces and the garden, which is planted with numerous indigenous flowers and shrubs.

Meal arrangements: breakfast, plus dinner at a local restaurant
Nights 5-6
Molino del Santo
Benaoján
Of an exceptional standard for a 2-star hotel, the highly acclaimed Molino del Santo prides itself on its high levels of service and its excellent cuisine. It is a place at which you can really relax, with an attractive pool (usually open May-September) and terrace shaded by willow trees. For extra comfort, you can upgrade to a room with a terrace.

Meal arrangements: dinner & breakfast
- Alternative hotel
  
  Night 7
  Hotel San Gabriel
  Ronda
  Situated in a quiet part of the old town, this truly hospitable hotel is a real find, with exquisite public rooms and bedrooms. It has been converted from an 18th-century mansion built by descendants of the explorer Pizarro.
  
  Meal arrangements: breakfast only
- Back
  
  Night 7
  Hotel Montelirio
  Ronda
  This small, charming hotel, formerly a 17th-century nobleman's palace, is perched on the edge of Ronda's iconic Tajo gorge and is ideally situated for exploring the town. The 14 elegant rooms, each one different, are decorated in rich, bold colours and sumptuous fabrics befitting of a noble dwelling. The hotel’s Albacara restaurant is justifiably popular, not only for its sophisticated menus but also for its privileged position and arguably the best view in Ronda, overlooking the spectacular gorge and the Puente Nuevo (new bridge). Booking in advance is highly recommended. There is also a bar and terrace (again with those views) and comfortable lounge with a beautiful Moorish ceiling. The hotel also boasts a small hammam and splash pool. Upgrades to rooms with views over the gorge are available.
  
  Meal arrangements: breakfast only

Extend your stay

City Add-On

Seville City Add-On

The spirit of southern Spain

2 nights, from £180pp

Immerse yourself in the relaxed atmosphere of Seville, the historic city that encapsulates the spirit and vibrancy of southern Spain.

View details
City Add-On

Málaga City Add-on

Gateway to Andalucia

2 nights, from £215pp

Discover a surprisingly relaxed side to the historic city of Málaga, the perfect complement to your holiday in rural Andalucia.

View details

Prices & travel options

All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.

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Prices (£ per person based on 2 sharing)

Walk price

7 nights: 15 April 2023 - 15 June 2023, 01 September 2023 - 31 October 2023, 14 March 2024 - 15 June 2024 & 01 September 2024 - 31 October 2024

Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

Starting	Price	Single room
14 Mar - 25 Apr 2023	£1105	£395
26 Apr - 8 Jun 2023	£1135	£415
1 - 19 Sep 2023	£1155	£395
20 Sep - 14 Oct 2023	£1135	£415
15 - 24 Oct 2023	£1105	£395
14 Mar - 25 Apr 2024	£1220	£435
26 Apr - 8 Jun 2024	£1250	£460
1 - 19 Sep 2024	£1275	£435
20 Sep - 14 Oct 2024	£1250	£460
15 - 24 Oct 2024	£1220	£435
3rd & 4th person discount	-£70 to -£77
Single traveller supplement	£70 to £77

Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

Deduct £32pp in 2023 or £37pp in 2024 if you are staying in Zahara on a Wednesday, when the hotel restaurant is closed.

Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

Room upgrades & extra nights

Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

Hotel al Lago, Zahara de la Sierra
Deluxe suite: 14 Mar - 15 Jun 2023	£18
Deluxe suite: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2023	£18
Deluxe suite: 14 Mar - 15 Jun 2024	£20
Deluxe suite: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024	£20
Larger: 14 Mar - 15 Jun 2023	£10
Larger: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2023	£10
Larger: 14 Mar - 15 Jun 2024	£11
Larger: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024	£11

Molino del Santo, Benaoján
Junior Suite twin with terrace (no double): 14 Mar - 15 Jun 2023	£48
Junior Suite twin with terrace (no double): 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2023	£48
Junior Suite twin with terrace (no double): 14 Mar - 15 Jun 2024	£53
Junior Suite twin with terrace (no double): 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024	£53
Superior with terrace: 14 Mar - 15 Jun 2023	£32
Superior with terrace: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2023	£32
Superior with terrace: 14 Mar - 15 Jun 2024	£35
Superior with terrace: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024	£35

Hotel San Gabriel, Ronda
Honeymoon suite: 14 Mar - 03 Apr 2023	£60
Honeymoon suite: 04 Apr - 09 Apr 2023	£88
Honeymoon suite: 10 Apr - 15 Jun 2023	£60
Honeymoon suite: 01 Sep - 13 Sep 2023	£88
Honeymoon suite: 14 Sep - 30 Nov 2023	£60
Honeymoon suite: 14 Mar - 03 Apr 2024	£66
Honeymoon suite: 04 Apr - 09 Apr 2024	£97
Honeymoon suite: 10 Apr - 15 Jun 2024	£66
Honeymoon suite: 01 Sep - 13 Sep 2024	£97
Honeymoon suite: 14 Sep - 31 Oct 2024	£66
Junior suite: 14 Mar - 03 Apr 2023	£44
Junior suite: 04 Apr - 09 Apr 2023	£60
Junior suite: 10 Apr - 15 Jun 2023	£44
Junior suite: 01 Sep - 13 Sep 2023	£60
Junior suite: 14 Sep - 30 Nov 2023	£44
Junior suite: 14 Mar - 03 Apr 2024	£48
Junior suite: 04 Apr - 09 Apr 2024	£66
Junior suite: 10 Apr - 15 Jun 2024	£48
Junior suite: 01 Sep - 13 Sep 2024	£66
Junior suite: 14 Sep - 31 Oct 2024	£48
Superior: 14 Mar - 03 Apr 2023	£12
Superior: 04 Apr - 09 Apr 2023	£18
Superior: 10 Apr - 15 Jun 2023	£12
Superior: 01 Sep - 13 Sep 2023	£18
Superior: 14 Sep - 30 Nov 2023	£12
Superior: 14 Mar - 03 Apr 2024	£13
Superior: 04 Apr - 09 Apr 2024	£20
Superior: 10 Apr - 15 Jun 2024	£13
Superior: 01 Sep - 13 Sep 2024	£20
Superior: 14 Sep - 31 Oct 2024	£13

Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

La Mejorana, Grazalema (B&B)	Double room	Single room
14 Mar - 15 Jun 2023	£56	£84
01 Sep - 31 Oct 2023	£56	£84
14 Mar - 15 Jun 2024	£62	£93
01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024	£62	£93

Molino del Santo, Benaoján (with dinner)	Double room	Single room
14 Mar - 30 Apr 2023	£128	£188
01 May - 15 Jun 2023	£140	£200
01 Sep - 23 Sep 2023	£140	£200
24 Sep - 31 Oct 2023	£128	£188
14 Mar - 30 Apr 2024	£145	£211
01 May - 15 Jun 2024	£155	£221
01 Sep - 23 Sep 2024	£155	£221
24 Sep - 31 Oct 2024	£145	£211

Hotel San Gabriel, Ronda (B&B)	Double room	Single room
14 Mar - 05 Apr 2023	£60	£120
06 Apr - 08 Apr 2023	£88	£176
09 Apr - 07 May 2023	£60	£120
08 May - 09 May 2023	£88	£176
10 May - 15 Jun 2023	£70	£140
01 Sep - 13 Sep 2023	£94	£188
14 Sep - 31 Oct 2023	£70	£140
14 Mar - 05 Apr 2024	£66	£132
06 Apr - 08 Apr 2024	£97	£194
09 Apr - 07 May 2024	£66	£132
08 May - 09 May 2024	£97	£194
10 May - 15 Jun 2024	£77	£154
01 Sep - 13 Sep 2024	£103	£206
14 Sep - 31 Oct 2024	£77	£154

Flight options

RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
Seville or Málaga
As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

Travelling from the UK

Travelling from outside the UK

If you are flying from outside Europe, we recommend flying via Málaga or Madrid. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

Outward route	Airline
Aberdeen - Malaga	Ryanair

Outward route	Airline
Belfast Intl. - Malaga	Aer Lingus, easyJet, jet2, Ryanair, TUI

Outward route	Airline
Birmingham - Malaga	jet2, Ryanair, TUI, Vueling

Outward route	Airline
Bournemouth - Malaga	Ryanair

Outward route	Airline
Bristol - Malaga	easyJet, Ryanair, TUI
Bristol - Seville	Ryanair

Outward route	Airline
Cardiff - Malaga	TUI, Vueling

Outward route	Airline
Nottingham East Midlands - Malaga	jet2, Ryanair, TUI
Nottingham East Midlands - Seville	Ryanair

Outward route	Airline
Edinburgh - Malaga	jet2, Ryanair
Edinburgh - Seville	easyJet, Ryanair

Outward route	Airline
Glasgow - Malaga	easyJet, jet2, TUI

Outward route	Airline
Glasgow Prestwick - Malaga	Ryanair

Outward route	Airline
Inverness - Seville (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM

Outward route	Airline
Leeds Bradford - Malaga	jet2, Ryanair, TUI
Leeds Bradford - Seville (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM

Outward route	Airline
Liverpool - Malaga	easyJet

Outward route	Airline
London City - Malaga	British Airways

Outward route	Airline
Gatwick - Malaga	British Airways, easyJet, TUI, Vueling
Gatwick - Seville	British Airways, easyJet, Vueling

Outward route	Airline
Heathrow - Malaga	British Airways
Heathrow - Seville	British Airways
Heathrow - Seville (via Madrid)	Iberia

Outward route	Airline
Luton - Malaga	easyJet, Ryanair, TUI
Luton - Seville	easyJet

Outward route	Airline
London Southend - Malaga	easyJet

Outward route	Airline
Stansted - Malaga	British Airways, easyJet, jet2, Ryanair
Stansted - Seville	Ryanair

Outward route	Airline
Manchester - Malaga	easyJet, jet2, Ryanair, TUI
Manchester - Seville	Ryanair

Outward route	Airline
Newcastle - Malaga	easyJet, jet2, Ryanair, TUI

Travelling from outside the UK

If you are flying from outside Europe, we recommend flying via Málaga or Madrid. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

Connecting travel

Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

Connecting travel options - flying via Malaga

Outward route	Price per person	Latest flight arrival time
direct taxi Malaga airport to hotel (2h)	£97	1700
bus Malaga to Ronda (2h, pay locally), taxi Ronda to hotel (0h45)	£35	1800 (1600 Sat)

Homeward route	Price per person	Earliest flight departure time
bus Ronda to Malaga (1h45)	pay locally	1215 (1245 Sat & Sun)
direct taxi hotel to Malaga airport (1h30)	£79	flexible

Connecting travel options - flying via Seville

Outward route	Price per person	Latest flight arrival time
bus Seville to Algodonales (1h45, pay locally), taxi Algodonales to hotel (0h15)	£15	1500
direct taxi Seville airport to hotel (1h30)	£90	1700

Homeward route	Price per person	Earliest flight departure time
direct taxi hotel to Seville airport (1h30)	£90	flexible
bus Ronda to Seville (2h)	pay locally	1200 (1545 Sat & Sun)

What is included

7 nights
6 dinners
3 picnics
7 breakfasts
luggage transported
route notes and maps
GPS navigation
permit for reserve (subject to availability)

Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

Mr B Goodison

Leeds

19 September 2023

Overall this was a fantastic holiday. The walking was just as described, beautiful white villages and the wonderful rugged mountains. The accommodation was very good, outstandingly so, the Molino del Santo in Benaojan. Inntravel provided all the information needed to help you navigate through this wonderful countryside. It was great to have different options for walks, though some were not possible due to national park closures from June to October because of fire risk. (For us this was probably a blessing, otherwise we'd still be trying to decide which of the many options to take!) Getting in touch with Inntravel was very easy and the staff were very friendly and helpful. I'd recommend the add on stay in Malaga, my first visit and thoroughly enjoyed it. There's lots to see in Malaga and Inntravel supply information for this, but a visit to the Caminito del Rey is a must. My partner had been with Inntravel before and I understand now why she spoke so highly of them as a great travel company.
Anon

14 September 2023

The highlights were the walks between the white towns & definitely we would recommend the longer walk between Grazalema & Benojaen, the goats track down was a beautiful path & a real highlight. Having 2 nights in Ronda & then 3 in Cordoba & Seville worked really well for us as we like to take our time & soak up the atmosphere of a place. 2 nights would not have been enough.

INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers combined our walk White Towns and Rugged Mountains with a tailored version of our discovery journey by rail A Trail of Three Cities
Anon

22 May 2023

This White Villages was one of our top four (which just speaks to the excellence of the other 10 or so walks we've done) despite several rainy days. The food at Al Lago and Molino del Santo was particularly good. Our favourite walks incuded the Grazalema to Benaojan one, especially the Rock Garden (despite the rain) and the walk to Ronda from Benaojan - don't take the train to Ronda, take the walk! Ronda was stunning, although a bit crowded during the day. We're glad we added an extra day here. We ate on the terrace at Hotel Montelirio and were treated to a beautiful sunset over the gorge. Also in Ronda, right behind the San Gabriel are the Museo Peinado and the Casa del Gigante, worth a visit.

The Green Gorge was impressive, and we saw many griffon vultures but descending into the gorge was somewhat claustrophobic. The gorge was fairly crowded. We enjoyed the walk back to Grazalema from the gorge. The wildflowers throughout were stunning.

We didn't do the Pinsapo Reserve walk because a thunderstorm was predicted. We did the Two Valleys hike instead and it was very pretty. Got home just before a colossal thunderstorm.

Although these walks were graded 2 and 3, they seemed mostly 2s to us (perhaps the walks we didn't do were the 3s). No need for walking poles.

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.

How do self-guided walking holidays work?

We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from A to B, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
Do you provide GPS navigation?

Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
Can I book my flights through Inntravel, and what’s the advantage of doing this?

We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
I’d like to travel all the way from the UK by rail. Can you arrange this?

Absolutely! We are experts in tailored rail travel. Making use of sleeper trains or stopovers in cities along the route, we can get you from London to virtually anywhere in mainland Europe. We can even make arrangements to Mallorca, Sicily and Norway with a combination of ferries and rail. Please contact us to discuss your plans.
Can you book travel arrangements for customers from outside the UK?

We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
I’m travelling alone. Is there anything I need to know?

Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
How do I make a booking?

Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

More information about the booking process >
Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
Booking conditions >
Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
Do I need a visa or anything health-related for Spain?

It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Spain, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
What else do I need to know about travelling to Spain?

(Castilian) Spanish is one of several official languages; Catalan, Basque and Gallego have equal status in Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia, respectively. The currency is the Euro. Spanish time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
How does Brexit affect travel to Europe?

For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
Where can I find general travel advice?

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
Is this holiday suitable for children?

You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.