| Day 1 |
Arrive in Zahara, one of the finest white towns, and a chance to explore its narrow streets and the old castle atop the crag. |
| Day 2 |
Zahara circuit - an easy but memorable first day’s walk, which takes you to the heart of the Sierra. You follow a narrow path up the beautiful valley of the Parralejo stream. There are views into gorges, home to Europe’s largest colony of Griffon Vultures. (15½ km, 4½ hrs, CUSs 400m). Alternative: Stroll around the village, visit the castle and relax! |
| Day 3 |
Zahara to Grazalema. The day starts along the lake before a hillside track (again with wonderful views) takes you into pine woods to the Gaidovar valley and a final rise up to a viewpoint before dropping down to the area’s most famous white village (15 km, 4½ hrs, CUSs 585m). Alternative - 3 hrs plus short taxi ride. |
| Day 4 |
Grazalema to Benaocaz (or Rest Day). A morning walk is best along this high ridge to an abandoned farmstead in remote isolation before dropping into Benaocaz - try lunch at one of its terrace restaurants with views towards Ubrique, before getting the afternoon bus back to Grazalema (12½ km, 4½ hrs, CUSs 425m). Alternative - have a look around Grazalema and its surroundings. |
| Day 5 |
Grazalema to Montejaque. A gentle walk in some of the most remote parts of the Grazalema park, through fantastic scenery and quiet meadowland, before arriving at Montejaque, perched on the rocky mountainside over the Guadiaro river valley (15 km, 5 hrs, CUSs 245m). |
| Day 6 |
Either: Montejaque to Cortes. The isolated Líbar valley has a beauty all its own. Once you've negotiated the steep climb up from Montejaque first thing, the long, flat bottom of the Líbar valley makes for easy walking yet the mountains to either side are wild and rugged. The middle section of the walk takes you past a huge stand of ancient deciduous and evergreen oaks: each one is a living sculpture and some of them would have first seen the light of day at least four hundred years ago. Taxi back to Montejaque or on to Ronda (pay locally) (6 hrs (allow 7 hrs min), 18km, CUSs 550m).
Or: Montejaque to Ronda. A varied day of drovers’ paths and wooded river valleys, with an early prospect of Ronda on its clifftop, and at the end of the day, an entry into the citadel itself. (14 km, 5 hrs, CUSs 615m). Alternative - 4 hrs plus short taxi ride. |
| Day 7 |
Montejaque to Ronda (as above) (OR if you spent night 6 in Ronda, use Guy's excellent "Ronda Circuit" to have a good look around the old town. |
| Day 8 |
Depart hotel (or choose to stay further nights). |