General information Starts near the Moorish mountain village of Gaucin and takes you through ever-changing scenery - cork forest, Mediterranean vegetation, heady with the scent of rosemary and thyme, green pastures and massive limestone escarpments with dazzling white villages chiselled into the hillside. You arrive finally at the ancient city of Ronda, a distance of some 55 miles. During the week you stay 2 nights at Almuña, 2 nights at a private safari-style tented camp (proper beds, duck down duvets and feather pillows), 2 nights at a converted private farmhouse, and one night at the luxurious Parador, high on the cliff-top overlooking the dramatic Ronda gorge.
Travel Information Arrival: You can elect to make your own travel arrangements to the start of the walk. You will be given instructions depending on whether you arrive by car, train or air. Or, you can elect to be at the designated group arrival airport at the same time as the group flight is due to arrive. In this case you will be transported to the start of the tour with the rest of the group. Nearest airport to hotel: Malaga
Walking grade Walking takes place mainly along remote tracks and paths, as far as possible in areas not used by other walking groups. The routes are occasionally steep and rough but never involve scrambling. Walking days vary in length from about 6 to 15 miles; the long days are in two parts, before and after lunch, with an option to decide whether you want to walk all or part of the day. There is no pressure to 'keep up'; you walk at your own pace. The guide will walk at the front at the speed of the strongest walkers and a muleteer with mules will bring up the rear at the speed of the slowest. There are frequent stops for rests and refreshments. Anyone who enjoys walking regularly will have no difficulty and even those who do not, but like the idea, should not be deterred. However, it should be borne in mind that most days involve 2 to 6 hours of walking (unless riding) and therefore a reasonable degree of fitness is required.
Itinerary Day 1 You will be met at the airport and then driven for about 2¼ hours towards Arcos de la Frontera. Accommodation will be at El Cortijo Barranco, a large stately farmhouse built in 1754 for Don Pascual Moreno Nuñez de Prado and now owned by Don Jenaro Gil Amian who, with his family, has superbly refurbished it. There will be a farm stroll after arrival. We dine this night in the great hall of the house. Three night's accommodation with private bathroom facilities. Day 2 After breakfast we drive in to spectacular limestone mountain scenery to start a walk known as the Salto del Cabrero to the mountain village of Benaocáz. The route takes us through constant changes of terrain from high pasture and stands of ancient oak to extraordinary karst formations and magnificent views stretching across the "Plains of Spain" to the Atlantic. The reward is a delicious tapas lunch with lashings of wine in the bar in this most remote village. For those who feel inclined the walk continues down a cobbled Roman road to the town of Ubrique full of factory shops selling high quality leather goods at reasonable prices. Dinner and overnight at Barranco. Walk: 7 miles and an optional 4 miles after lunch down the cobbled Roman road to Ubrique. Day 3 In the morning we drive to Jerez de la Frontera to visit the world famous Royal School of Equestrian Art and watch the magnificent show of Andalucian horses. (similar to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna) This will be followed by a private tour of the Lustau sherry bodega which will include tasting these fine wines of Jerez. We shall take lunch at the bodega and in the afternoon visit the splendid citadel of Arcos de la Frontera before returning to Barranco for dinner and the night. Day 4 From the front door of Cortijo Barranco we set off on foot in the company of Antonio and his two mules carrying the days essentials including chilled Fino. We walk through rolling farm land and fine views of Arcos de la Frontera. Lunch and Paco are waiting for us at a small and delightful house in a local village where Concha, the farmer's wife, cooks us a very typical Andalucian lunch. From there the track winds its way for a further 5 miles before getting us to Algar. You may prefer to drive this section to have time to explore the village. The next two nights are spent at a comfortable hotel at Algar with private bathroom facilities. Walk: 10 miles and up to optional 5 miles after lunch. (accompanied by mules) Day 5 We set off from the village with Antonio and the mules through open farmland and amongst some of the most fabulous displays of wild flowers imaginable. After our normal midday break some will decide to travel by vehicle to lunch while the rest embark a climb over a saddle with breathtaking vistas looking down on the lake and the most unusual village of Charco de Hurones where we have lunch. In the late afternoon we drive back to Algar, perhaps sighting some fighting bulls on the way. Walk: 8 miles. (accompanied by mules) Day 6 A short drive we reach Puerto de Galiz, a cross roads in the mountains. From here we meet Roque and his three mules and pick up the route again. This is dramatic sandstone country and our walk takes us alongside gushing streams choked with rhododendrons and arbutus (strawberry trees) into the interior of a forest of huge cork oaks, out of sight and sound of modern life. We stop for a picnic of delicacies produced by Jane and then complete the walk to the road and drive the short distance to La Almuña for the next two nights. All rooms with private bathroom facilities. Walk: 12 miles and an optional 2 miles after lunch. (accompanied by mules) Day 7 Some spend the morning in the beauty and quietness of Almuña while others walk in easy undulating country with huge views of Berber villages in the surrounding sierras, rich in bird life. After about four hours we are met and driven back to Almuña for a fabulous lunch. Our farewell dinner party that night will be at La Almuña. Walk: 8 miles. Day 8 Transfer by vehicle for the airport and your flight home.
Inclusions All accommodation, hotel taxes and service charges All meals including wine with lunch and dinner Pre and after meal drinks except when staying at inns and hotels Transfers from and to the designated group flight and airport of arrival/departure Supporting vehicle and transport of luggage Support staff, muleteers and English-speaking guide Entrance fees to museums and private excursions specified in the detailed itinerary
