What to expect
Traditional Andalusia
Stay in a traditional Andalusian village Inn.
Glorious Views!
Experience spectacular scenery,
Guided Walking
Four organised fully guided sociable walks
Sierra Grazalema
Discover the beauty of a UNESCO listed “Biosphere Reserve”
About this trip...
Situated between Cadiz and Malaga, the spectacular Sierra Grazalema is one of Spain’s most stunning areas of natural beauty. Experience soaring limestone mountains, dramatic plunging valleys and gorges, surrounded by picturesque white-washed villages all with a stay in a rustic, traditional village Inn. This walking week of discovery and splendour is fast becoming a favourite amongst the Solos portfolio of walks.
Grade - Medium/Hard
What's Included
Airport transfers
Twin/Double room for sole use
Half Board Breakfast & Dinner daily
Welcome drink & information meeting
4 fully exclusive guided walking days
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
What's extra:
- International flights are not included
- Travel insurance
- Tips & drinks
- Meals when not included in the itinerary
- Activities when not included in the itinerary
Itinerary
- Arrive in Malaga, Spain
- Grazalema - Sierra del Endrinal - Grazalema
- Montejaque- Puerto de los Alamillos – Grazalema
- Day at Leisure
- El Pinsapar
- Day At Leisure
- La Garganta Verde
- Departure Day
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrive in Malaga
Arrive at Malaga Airport. Transfer to our lovely traditional accommodation Casa de las Piedras in the centre of Grazalema village where we have our welcome drink and enjoy our first evening meal.
If your main aim is to experience a full on week of fantastic hiking, enjoying spectacular scenery, while enjoying a stay in a small, simple but charming Spanish Inn situated in one of the picturesque “Pueblo Blancos”, this medium graded hiking break is an ideal opportunity to discover the Sierra Grazalema in all its walking glory. It is no wonder why the area is a popular destination for hikers looking for a traditional Andalusian no frills walking extravaganza.
- Dinner Included
Day Two: Grazalema – Sierra del Endrinal - Grazalema
Our first days walk is a lovely circular walk starting and ending in Grazalema. Our route today takes us along paths populated with the Mediterranean holm oak of which we will see cows and goats roaming free over this impressive limestone rock landscape. We first go upwards to the Sierra Endrinal through pine forests where interestingly we can see a variety of orchids. As we arrive at the summit, we will be able to see remnants of snow holes where ice was taken for the consumption of the “Gentry” living in the Spanish main cities. We then start our return back to Grazalema, taking in the beautiful scenery where we see a mix of Mediterranean and mountainous vegetation. This is where we may come across a Spanish Ibex and perhaps see the odd eagle or two!!.
Approx Details
Distance 10km / 6.2 miles
Ascent / Descent 450m
Walking Time 4 hours
Grade Medium
- Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day Three: Montejaque- Puerto de los Alamillos – Grazalema
After breakfast we take our transfer towards the traditional “Pueblo Blanco” village of Montejaque. We begin todays walk from a track on the outskirts of the village. From here we take a number of trails slowly heading back towards Grazalema. Along this route we can see a different aspect to this mountain area where the different soil allows the spectacular cork oak forests to grow. We will see trees where the cork has been stripped and harvested which creates an impressive artistic landscape. Within the forest we will see an abundance of flora and fauna including the famous black iberian pigs, varieties of mushrooms and many different species of birds. This beautiful route follows along rivers and streams where we can see birds such as the colourful Bee eaters nesting on the banks of the stream. Following the theme of the previous day walks, we will see many Griffon vultures gliding over head as the Sierra Grazalema shelters the biggest colony of Griffon vultures in Europe! With their wingspan reaching almost 3 meters it’s an impressive sight to see.
We finally come to a wider path and a small bridge over the stream and from here, we walk up the path through a small mountain village until we take the road at Puerto de los Alamillos. A Bar is here where we can stop and enjoy a well-earned drink before we embark on the last section of our walk back to Grazalema.
Approx Details
Distance 16km / 10 miles
Ascent 300m / Descent 165m
Grade Medium
Walking Time 6 hours
Transfer Time – 35 mins approx
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Four: Day at leisure
Take a well-earned rest in this lovely village or perhaps take advantage of an excursion such as a visit to Jerez de la Frontera (payable locally)
- Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day Five: El Pinsapar
Today’s walk we start climbing through a pine forest and and from the top, we have a fantastic view overlooking Grazalema village on the right and on the left over the valley of El Pinar. Our route continues along the mountains where we might come across the odd Spanish ibex or two We stroll down through the unique Pinsapo forest,deriving from the last ice-age. Its natural history and the landscape is fascinating to see in this part of Spain. We then continue through a Mediterranean oak forest with amazing trees, and we may see the indigenous vultures gliding overhead
Approx Details
Length: 15Km / 9 miles
Ascent: 450m / Descent 950m
Grade - Medium / Hard
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Six: Day at leisure
Take a well-earned rest in this lovely village or perhaps take further advantage of an excursion such as guided visit to nearby Ronda (payable locally)
- Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day Seven: La Garganta Verde
For our final days walk we transfer to the start of our walk to discover the La Garganta Verde (“The Green Gorge”). Our route takes us down through the Garganta Verde, gouged out of the limestone by the river running through. The gorge descends to 1,200 feet at its deepest point. This spectacular walk is a short but intense experience with fantastic surroundings, passing close to the home of a colony of the Griffon vultures of which we can see gliding above us. The end of the route finishes at a natural cavity where the rock formations interestingly change colour from pink to green and the acoustics gives us a church like feel.
From here we retrace our steps back up the gorge giving us a further different perspective of the gorgeous scenery. We then take our transfer back to Grazalema.
Approx Details
Distance: 6km / 3.7 miles
Ascent 440m / Descent 440m
Grade: Medium / Hard
Walking Time: 3 hours
Transfer Time: 25 mins approx.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Eight: Departure Day
After breakfast, we will bid farewell to Grazalema. Our group will be transferred back to Malaga Airport for our flight home.
- Breakfast Included
Accommodation
Casa de las Piedras Inn
Facilities include
Room includes
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
Four guided walks are included in the programme. Your walking guide will advise you in resort of the daily programme. The walking programme is graded as Medium and you can expect to walk between 6 to 18km per day, with some ascents/descents and sometimes rough underfoot terrain and medium altitudes involved. Lunch items are not included. -
BASIC: Sandwich (to choose: cheese, ham, tortilla, tuna fish with tomatoes and lettuce) with a piece of fruit, dried fruits and a bootle of water EUR 8.00
- SPECIAL: Picnic basket with sandwich (to choose: cheese, ham, tortilla, tuna fish with tomatoes and lettuce)+ a piece of fresh fruit + a salad + a sweet and a bottle of water EUR 15.00
Below are the distances for each walk, however please bear in mind these are approximate and subject to change due to local conditions.
El Pinsipar
Distance 15km / 9 miles
Ascent 450m / 1470ft
Grade Medium / Hard
Walking Time 4.5 hours
La Garganta Verde
Distance 6km / 3.7 miles
Ascent 440m / 1460ft
Grade Medium / Hard
Walking Time 3 hours
Transfer Time – 25 mins approx.
Montejaque- Puerto de los Alamillos – Grazalema
Distance 16km/10 miles
Ascent 300m Descent 165m
Grade Medium
Walking Time 6 hours
Transfer Time – 35 mins approx.
Grazalema – Sierra del Endrinal - Grazalema
Distance 10km/6.2 miles
Ascent 450m / 1470 ft
Grade Medium
Walking Time 4 hours
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking.
You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays Ltd cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not prop
- Guided Visit of Ronda - €75
- Jerez de la Frontera ( horse show, guided visit to the Bodega del Tio Pepe with wine tasting, short walk to Jerez centre - €125
Above prices are approx and subject to change
We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.
We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.
