Home Walking/Hiking routes Easy to medium walks Sierra de Ubrique (Grazalema)

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"Huerta la Terrona" with more than 300 years of history, offers a relaxing, welcoming atmosphere and all the modern conveniences our guests can expect in a contemporary Country House. A two story building with five large guest rooms, three on the upper floor and one on the main floor, affords maximum comfort for our guests. Each bedroom includes mattresses and linens of the highest quality, unique décor, a private bathroom, individual heating units and magnificent views of the Park, in particular of the mountain pass “Puerto de las Palomas”.

Sierra de Ubrique (Grazalema) Print E-mail
Easy to medium walks
The walk starts at the green gateFrom 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.

You will look down upon the town of Ubrique

The walk starts between Villaluenga del Rosario and Benaocaz. Park up in the Mirador “Cintillo y Aguas Nuevas” at the end of the 'Manga de Villaluenga' valley, just as the road starts to drop down towards Benaocaz. From here walk down hill and pass through the wide green metal gate on the outer edge of the bend. The track itself has been laid in stones at some point, but animal use means that  you need to watch the ground for loose rocks. The track is virtually all uphill and quite steep in parts, take this into account and allow more time for rest stops as the scenery is worth it. As you climb up, to your right there are open panoramic views across to the village of Benaocaz and then below you is Ubrique. To your left are the rugged, rocky mountain slopes climbing ever upwards. Wild olive, Carob, Oak and Turpentine trees add a little height to the shrubs of Lentisc, Gorse, Grey-leaved cistus and Purple Phlomis. Snapdragons, Ferns, Putoria, Sedums and Saxifrage are just some of the plants that grow from rock crevices. Some emblematic birds of the area are Black wheatear, Blue rock thrush, Black redstart, Sardinian warbler, Dartford warbler, Melodious warbler, Rock bunting, Wren, Crag martin, Kestrel, Griffon vulture and the endangered Bonelli’s eagle.

The stone path stretches out before you on a steady incline

Along this walk you will find your eyes regularly adjusting between far and near as different things vie for your attention. As you gain in altitude there are breathtaking views and through binoculars you can see the reservoir of Bornos and the flatter areas of the Guadalquivir basin beyond. Closer to hand areas of the limestone along this walk demonstrate patterns of erosion along their surfaces. This is created when rain water trickles over the surface of the rock, it combines with carbon dioxide from the air and forms carbonic acid, which dissolves the rock, transforming calcium carbonate into bicarbonate, a soluble salt that is easily transported away by water. Once small gullies form, this solution dissolves deeper flutes or ‘rillenkarren’. This erosion is visible in its early, small scale and also centuries old large scale development all around you.

Left: Pistacia lentisc Right: 'Rillenkarren' rock erosion

The track turns a corner at a point where there are tall, shear cliffs ahead.  Look out for the comings and goings of vultures from these cliffs, occasionally you can hear them cackling. There are a number of views to appreciate including beside you - into the huge natural hollow holding full sized oak trees and strewn with boulders. This is a Doline, which is formed when the roof of a cave comes so close to the surface due to continual erosion that weakness leads to its collapse. It forms a natural depression where water can collect and continue etching new channels and caverns at lower levels.


The limestone rock of the Sierra de Ubrique

Now walk away from the edge, travelling further up into the mountains by passing through another green gate (edged by bricks), this time on a narrow path. We are aiming for the top of this ridge where the terrain changes and the views open out even further.

The path leads up to a small gateway

Having reached the stone wall at the top this would be an ideal place to rest, take refreshments and contemplate your surroundings before returning along the same route to your vehicle, which is now virtually all down hill. The ground beyond the wall is strewn with rocks and holds Grey-leaved cistus sheltered along the wall and a tapestry of Purple Phlomis, Andalusian Milk Vetch, Asphodels, Giant Squills, with a scattering of Wild Olive and Evergreen Oaks.

The fabulous views from the Sierra de Ubrique


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Where to Eat

The best places to eat in Western Andalucia!
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.

Hotels in the Area

Guest houses, Hotels and b&b's
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.

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.


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