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El-Andaluz House Rentals and Sales
Self catering Watermill and village houses in the white village of Grazalema, at the heart of the Parque Natural "Sierra de Grazalema". Stunning country side. Selected houses also for sale
Below are some of the walks that you can take in and around the Sierra de Grazalema, Sierra de las Nieves and Los Alcornocales. They are rated as easy, easy to medium, medium, medium to hard and hard. Of course this rating must be subjective as it depends almost completely on what you consider your fitness level to be. We'll do our best to point out any aspects like high or slippery paths and also mention any guest houses, bars for tapas and restaurants in the area.
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.
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.
This short walk leads you through mixed Mediterranean woodland dominated by evergreen and deciduous oaks. It will take anything from around one to two hours, depending on how inquisitive you are. Birds calling from the trees include Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Jays, Firecrests, Long-tailed tits and Treecreepers with Hoopoes during the summer months and Griffon vultures plus Eagles soaring through the open skies above. The path is comfortably shaded through the heat of summer and verdant through the winter/ spring.
This is a gentle walk on a good track that takes you through gnarled oak trees in the Sierra de Las Nieves. Jays cackle and call as they stay just ahead on this woodland walk. Booted Eagles, Short-toed eagles and Goshawk may fly overhead and there are many common European species around in the trees such as Chaffinch, Great-tit and Robin. The Mediterranean scrub that grows in the shade of the trees and in the clearings can provide an array of colours both on their own and with the insects that they attract.
From the road between Grazalema and Ubrique you can access the sierras along a stone covered track which leads steadily upwards giving views over the junction of the Sierra de Grazalema and Los Alcornocales natural parks. The terrain stretching before you changes from steep limestone cliffs to rolling oak covered hills. This path is linear, taking you through a mosaic of Mediterranean scrub that has adapted to thrive in pockets of poor soil between porous, often vertical rocks. A two to three hour walk here will give you a terrific sample of the bird and plant life of these sierras as well as the fabulous views.
A great way to relax from all the cycling that Claire and I do is to go for a walk and when we have a few hours to spare we pack a small picnic, sandwiches, crisps, fruit and a drink, jump in the car and head off to Benaojan. The walk begins at the railway station ‘Estacion de Benaojan’ which is situated in the Guadiaro valley in the Sierra de Grazalema. You can park for free at the railway station. It’s a short and easy walk which usually takes us an hour and a half at a very leisurely pace. The walk joins the two white villages of Benaojan and Jimera. The reason it is our favourite is you can amble down to Jimera have a picnic, stop for tapas and drinks in Jimera before catching the train back to Benaojan.
After recently enjoying a family holiday in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, Steve has written this article to share his experiences:
As part of our week at the end of August with Clive & Sue (of The Grazalema Guide and Wildside Holidays) we had permits for a visit to 'La Garganta Verde"' a “must do” for the more adventurous visitors to the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.
The 'Garganta Verde' is a 400metre deep, limestone gorge with a Griffon Vulture colony at the top, 'La Ermita' a pink cave at the bottom and dramatic landscape at all points in between.
Restaurant Al Lago, Zahara de la Sierra
A stunning setting with lake views from the terrace in which to enjoy a leisurely lunch, dinner or innovative tapas. Chef Stefan Crites, who trained in New York for many years, re-interprets some of Spain’s culinary classics with a creative and exotic touch using local organic vegetables, top quality meat and fresh fish from the markets in Cadiz.
Hotel Fuerte Grazalema
Situated in the heart of the sierra de Grazalema natural park, Hotel Fuerte Grazalema is a paradise for outdoor walking enthusiasts and is set in oak woodlands 5 kilometres from the village of Grazalema. It makes an excellent base from which to discover this stunning part of western Andalucia
Las Truchas
Las Truchas is a small hotel with a home from home atmosphere, located in the quaint town of El Bosque. Explore the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and the White Towns Route (Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos) that are situated within easy reaching distance of this hotel. You can enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding landscape from the hotel rooms.
Cortijo Valverde
Beautiful hotel with outstanding views of the surrounding countryside providing that special vacation destination for either a restful holiday, or a base from which to explore the many treasures that Andalucia and Inland Spain has to offer.
Villa Turistica Grazalema
This hotel is located 500 metres from the charming village of Grazalema, a place characterised by its whitewashed façades, its narrow and windy streets and set in the centre of the natural park
Walking/Hiking routes
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 :)
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.
This short walk leads you through mixed Mediterranean woodland dominated by evergreen and deciduous oaks. It will take anything from around one to two hours, depending on how inquisitive you are. Birds calling from the trees include Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Jays, Firecrests, Long-tailed tits and Treecreepers with Hoopoes during the summer months and Griffon vultures plus Eagles soaring through the open skies above. The path is comfortably shaded through the heat of summer and verdant through the winter/ spring.
This is a gentle walk on a good track that takes you through gnarled oak trees in the 
From the road between Grazalema and Ubrique you can access the sierras along a stone covered track which leads steadily upwards giving views over the junction of the Sierra de Grazalema and Los Alcornocales natural parks. The terrain stretching before you changes from steep limestone cliffs to rolling oak covered hills. This path is linear, taking you through a mosaic of Mediterranean scrub that has adapted to thrive in pockets of poor soil between porous, often vertical rocks. A two to three hour walk here will give you a terrific sample of the bird and plant life of these sierras as well as the fabulous views.
