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 This is the most well known Dolmen in the area of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. It is actually situated very close to the village of El Gastor, on the mountain ‘El Algarín’ that lies between this village and the reservoir of Zahara / Gastor.
As with many dolmens this one is situated in an area with commanding views. It is on open hillside near to the small abandoned Cortijo El Charcón.
In the earliest prehistoric periods of Europe, corpses were merely laid out on the ground in remote places but at some point before the fourth millennium B.C. it became customary to bury the dead in communal funereal constructions or in artificially built caves of huge stone slabs, known as megalithic graves (Greek ‘megas’ meaning ‘big’ and ‘lithos’ meaning ‘stone’). They also go by the name of Dolmens, these stone chambers were covered in an earth mound or tumulus. Numerous bodies could be placed inside, perhaps from just one family, or from a village community. Offerings were placed alongside them such as tools, jewellery and ceramics. This particular one is a Cist or Galleried dolmen consisting of a long chamber with the walls converging slightly towards the entrance. Interestingly this site is close to a flint mine on the same mountain, there are several other dolmens dispersed around the area.
To visit this dolmen you approach the village of El Gastor from the Ronda to Jerez main road. Just before descending into the village you will need to turn off onto a small track which is not well marked. Look out for a petrol pump station (of tiny dimensions) on the left and a ‘fuente’ (water trough) on the right. Take the steep single-track road which leads uphill to the right, signposted to ‘Los Algarrobales’. This takes you above the village through pine woods. Just after some low concrete constructions on your right there is another right turn to take, actually signposted with the name Dolmen El Charcón, although it does not say where to go. This road is very steep so go steadily in a low gear. If you are not convinced that your car will appreciate this road then you can park and walk from here. (Approx 1.5 km and steeply uphill for much of the route)
 Continue along this same narrow road which soon changes from concrete to a track of red soil, winding through an orchard and passing a cattle grid (leaned against the bank waiting to go into the ground and covered in brambles). When you reach a gate across the track park here as it is now only a short walk, there is a small pedestrian gate to the left. (Although normally closed ithe green gate is shown open in the image below). As you reach a stand of taller poplar trees in a damp area the ruined cortijo (farm dwelling) comes into view up to your right. At this point you should see a walk edged with stones leading towards a large evergreen Holm oak tree and an open view. Follow this towards the cliff edge and you can see the remains of a wooden fence that once surrounded the area of the dolmen. The area is surrounded by Mediterranean scrub land plants. Be aware of the sky around you and out over the cliff edge as you may be lucky to see Griffon vultures which often pass close by.
This dolmen dating back 6000 years, is still partly buried on the outer sides but the interior corridor and standing stones are clear. Several of the giant roof slabs have remained in position. The corridor is 9 metres in length and at its maximum nearly 2 metres tall. When it was first discovered in the 1970’s and excavated, axe heads, arrow heads and ceramic remains were found within.
Another dolmen which can be visited in the area is Dolmen El Chopo near Montejaque.
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