Spectacular and varied hiking opportunities
Whether you have come for walking, mountain-biking, bird-watching, horse riding, caving or simply wish to go sightseeing on four wheels, the Serrania de Ronda and the surrounding Natural Parks offer some of the finest scenery and outdoor activities to be found anywhere in Spain.
The hotel can organise all types of activity for you and provide an abundance of advice whatever your chosen pursuit. If you here to walk this is definitely the place to stay – the owner is a keen hiker and has a detailed knowledge of the myriad of paths, many of them virtually unknown, which criss-cross the serrania.
Walking in the Sierras
The area of the Serrania de Ronda and the two national parks of Sierra de Grazalema and Sierra de las Nieves, offer some dramatic and varied hiking opportunities. Between the craggy ridges of the Sierras de Libar and Grazalema and the more rounded slopes of the Sierra de las Nieves, lie the steep river valleys of the rivers Genal and Guardiaro. With the added attraction of the pueblos blancos (white villages), which offer scenic settings, historic interest and a source of needed refreshment, the area offers a remarkable wealth and variety of experience to both the casual walker and the serious hiker. Many of the routes are right on the doorstep of the hotel, those more distant are within a half-hour drive.
The routes are varied, sometimes with ascents to the highest peaks of the region, offering exceptional views over the surrounding sierras and down to the coast with the rock of Gibraltar and the mountains of North Africa often visible.
Others explore the steep river valleys and visit some of the pueblos blancos. They can be both on and off-path, often following the vaguely-defined routes of ancient veredas (rights of way) that have been used for centuries by shepherds and smugglers alike!
Be warned, however, that walking in Spain is generally not as straightforward as in other European countries. Footpaths are rarely marked on the ground and, where they are, the location of the waymarking is often an aid to getting lost. The maps, while topographically correct, do not accurately reflect the presence (or otherwise!) of footpaths. Many attempts to follow an apparent route therefore ends in frustration, while better routes are completely overlooked. Our expertise is therefore invaluable in helping to find your way around, and we offer a few alternatives to set you on your way…