Home Wildsides Diary General Observations from the Sierras Visitor Centre Closure: Grazalema

Share The Grazalema Guide

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Twittering from GG

Follow us on Twitter!

The Grazalema Guide Shop

Rental Accommodation

Holiday property to rent in the countryside, white villages and towns

Advertise your townhouse, apartment or cottage here!


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

Casa rural - Huerta la Terrona
"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”.

Visitor Centre Closure: Grazalema Print E-mail
General Observations from the Sierras
Thursday, 20 November 2008 00:00
Centre of Grazalema village
Information Centre of Grazalema  to close. (But a new one has now opened May 2009!)

Grazalema village lies at the heart of the park, the park is even named after it; Sierra de Grazalema. And yet very soon, December 15th of 2008, it will not have a visitor / information centre open for the many tourists who wish to buy maps - guides and ask about walks, museums, hotels, restaurants and other villages.
UPDATE! May 2009.....Great to see the opening of the new visitor centre in Grazalema... It still needs work but it's getting there.

Having spent much time within the centre I have heard many people requesting entry permission to the controlled footpath areas only to be told to go to, or telephone the El Bosque main office. Frustrating as this may have been for them, there was no-one to give them this basic information!

Our advice is still to research before you travel / visit one of the other information centres in either, El Bosque, Zahara de las Sierra or Cortes de la Frontera. but at least now you can get some information in the new centre located on the main carpark... Called "Centro de interpretacion turistico" the office is run by a very nice lady (who can speak a little English and very good German) will do her best to help with getting permits and giving information on the area. Right now opening times are Thursday to Sunday 10 am to 2pm and 4 pm to 6 pm...

The El Bosque information centre is beside the bullring in El Bosque village.
The phone number is: 956 727 029
If you plan to walk : Garganta Verde, El Torreon, Llano de Ravel or El Pinsapar you will require permission.
You will need to have these details ready:
Passport number and name of one person.
Number of people in the group.
Date of the walk - permission given no more then 2 weeks in advance.
Normally only Spanish is spoken, if you are staying in an hotel or guest house this can often be arranged for you.

Our once permanent photographic exhibition of flora and fauna of the natural park, which was displayed in the old information centre may even be able to get out of the boxes and back into a place where people can see and learn more about the amazing wildlife of this area. Fingers crossed and more news on this soon!

Trackback(0)
Comments (3)Add Comment
...
written by Chris Walker, November 07, 2008
What an odd situation not to have an information centre in the "centre" of the natural park. I have visited Grazalema a few times over the last year or so and have always called in to show friends the exhibition of nature photographs in the back room if the info centre. I hope you find somewhere else soon to display them.
regards
Chris
...
written by Andy, November 07, 2008
This is a terrible mistake, and a tragedy for tourism in the Grazalema Natural Park, and possibly even for sustainable tourism in the park since many tourists who only go to Grazalema now won't even be told they need permission, possibly inviting more damage to this precious ecosystem. Sometimes I despair of the tourism managers within the Serrania.

Hope you find a new home for your exhibition.
...
written by Peter, November 23, 2008
Can anyone, at least those who know the 'real' motivation behind the managerless parks, be really surprised at 'this surprising/baffling' news? Yet another snub to those who are genuinely concerned and involved in promoting/preserving this amazing area.

Write comment
quote
bold
italicize
underline
strike
url
image
quote
quote
smile
wink
laugh
grin
angry
sad
shocked
cool
tongue
kiss
cry
smaller | bigger

security code
Write the displayed characters


busy
Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 May 2009 11:21
 

Banner
  

Banner

Book A Hotel Now

Safely book your hotel in the Sierra de Grazalema on-line through the booking.com website
Banner

English French German Italian Norwegian Portuguese Spanish Swedish

Where to Eat

The best places to eat in Western Andalucia!
Advertise your restaurant here with the Grazalema Guide!
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
Advertise your hotel, guest house or B&B here with the Grazalema Guide!
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

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.

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

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.


Are you looking for...
 
Where are you from?