There are some exceptionally high quality country hotels in Western Andalucia with various "star" classifications but don't let a  none, one or two star put you off as the chances are these hotels still offer a service as good as any other in the area...

We have put together not a definitive list but rather three covering many of the rural hotels in the area with links to more information and booking details via the safe and secure booking.com website. The lists can be found in the left hand column of all pages here at the Grazalema Guide in the services area by clicking the link for Grazalema Hotels, Sierra de las Nieves Hotels or Los Alcornocales Hotels.

If you are looking to get away for a romantic weekend break for Valentines why not add a bit of Flamenco passion into the mix?

Hotel Restaurant Al Lago in Zahara de la Sierra will be spicing up the weekend with a four course gourmet dinner special and flamenco from "La Sonanta de Olvera"... reservations are required as the flamenco shows are always very popular so get in touch with Mona or Stefan soon to be sure of a room or table

It's been far too long since I viewed the Sierras from our highest peak here in Grazalema and as we have a friend from Canada visiting us I thought it would be a good excuse for me to take a day off the computer to show her the view from the top of our particular world...The walk of Torreon takes about 5 or 6 hours there and back depending, of course, on how long you stay at the top. It is a steep incline to the summit of 1654 metres which can take around 2.5 to 3 hours to trudge. Over to Sacia for her thoughts and observations :)

Torreon adventure story! by Sacia Burton.....
"Ooh, STOP! I want to get out and take a picture... please?"
Clive, my friend and nature guide for the day, shrugged and pulled to the shoulder of the road; I had cause to be excited -- we had just turned the corner on our way to Torreon and the Puerto de Boyar Mirador, or "golden view",  and spectacular views of endless mountains dispersed between verdant valleys lay before us. I hopped out of the car, camera in hand, and snapped a few shots of mountain tips peaking up through morning mist. I am diligently not a morning person, so with such enthusiasm early in the day (early being any time before 11 a.m.) I was surprising even myself. Torreon, the highest peak in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, standing at 1654 metres, was to be my first mountain hiking/climbing experience here. As it turned out, my early morning enthusiasm wasn't the only thing that surprised me that day.

January is a busy time for harvesting the olive fruit and during this same month the almond trees begin to flower. Slopes scattered with these stark black, wizened trunks which appear lifeless, quickly turn to delicate shades of soft pink. Although these are orchard blooms, they are very photogenic and especially pleasing to the eye when combined with the wildflowers of broad-leaved iris beneath.

This protected area consists of a large cluster of high limestone peaks that holds within it a range of ecosystems from sheer and colourful cliff faces to deep lush valleys, rich green forests to bleak white scree slopes. There are around 20 peaks above 1000m creating an impressively sculpted landscape, the highest being El Torreón at 1654m (5426 feet) which command fabulous views across the mountains and over to the plains of Cadiz province.

As the name suggests this is a high walk in the mountains, but your access by road gains the altitude and the walk is a fairly short circular one that goes around the peak offering spectacular views. The peak itself is at 1,328m above sea level and the car park at 1,157m. It will take about 1.5 to 2 hours at a leisurely pace to complete the 2.7km and may give amazing sightings of Griffon Vultures, from above and below. The terrain is rugged limestone rock with rough grasses, stunted oak trees and sparse Mediterranean scrub.

Although December may bring rain and frost to the mountains it is a time of growth, spurred on after the prolonged rest enforced by the heat of summer. This rainfall nourishes the ground and triggers the flowering and fruit production of a few species, a process which now picks up spead with more and more flowers appearing each month until the summer heat strikes again. This is part of an ongoing project to create a complete flowering calendar for the sierra.

Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd November
Time: 11.00 to 13.30

Over the weekend an exhibition will be held identifying a variety of wild autumn fruit.

On Saturday 21st there will be a practical workshop preparing fruits for traditional conserves (making jam from the fruits of the 'Strawberry tree' (Arbutus unedo), quince jelly and spirits).

The Botanic Gardens - El Bosque (Jardín Botánico El Castillejo)