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 On arrival you will be driven for about 1½ hours to the hill farm of La Almuña where tea will be waiting on the terrace at the home of Jane and Hugh Arbuthnott. This is a beautiful, rural and mountainous place with only the sounds of sheep bells and cattle lowing in the distance. On a clear day the views from here stretch for miles to the distant Pillars of Hercules and beyond. There is time here to unwind from your journey, walk in the woods and swim. Almuña accommodation all with private bathrooms. Day 2 The day starts with a 10 minute drive to the white village of Gaucin nestling in the mountains under the protection of an Arab castle dating from the 9th century. The walk back to Almuña for lunch cooked by Antonia takes you through woods, mountains and amongst a huge variety of herbs and plants, where the smell of thyme and rosemary wafts around you. Vultures, kites and eagles soar above. Dinner and overnight at Almuña. Walk: 8 miles. (accompanied by mules) Day 3 In the morning we set off accompanied by Pedro and his mules on a gentle downhill walk through a forest of cork and broad leafed oak towards the village of Cortes de la Frontera, one of the old frontier citadels in the time of the re-conquest of this southern corner of Spain taken from the Moors in the 15th century. You arrive at the private and beautiful setting to be greeted by lunch laid out on a table covered by a white cloth and shaded by oak trees. Two nights accommodation at a well appointed hotel in the village of Cortes de la Frontera with private bathrooms. Walk: 8 miles + 2 miles option after lunch. (accompanied by mules) Day 4 A walking expedition into one of the most remote and beautiful mountainous areas of the region. We shall set off on foot from the hotel and meet Alonso with the donkeys that accompany us on an easy climb following a zig zag path amongst an incredible array of wild flowers in spring. It will take about 2 hours to reach the plateaux and on a clear day there are exceptional views as far as Africa. Here there is a good chance of seeing red and roe deer and even ibex, the illusive wild mountain goat. Somewhere up in these wilds lunch will appear! In the afternoon we return on foot by an old Roman way back to the village. Dinner in the village and overnight in Cortes Walk: 9 miles (accompanied by mules or donkeys) Day 5 From the hotel we set off on foot through to the village of Cortes de la Frontera joining the donkeys that will escort us on our way to the Sierra and the Llano de Libar, a plain of quite stunning beauty hidden from the outside world by rugged limestone peaks. The picnic lunch in these mountains is a unique affair with a selection of delicious food taken seated on rugs and cushions. After a siesta there is a dramatic walk down the side of the mountain where you catch your first glimpses of Ronda as well as black wheatears and Dartford warblers. Dinner and overnight at Almuña Walk: 8 miles plus optional 5 mile after lunch. (accompanied by donkeys) Day 6 This is a rest day in which you can relax in the garden and farm of Almuña. There will be an expedition to Gaucín to explore the 9th Century Moorish castle, visit churches and wander through the narrow streets of this prettiest of villages. There are also one or two shops and art galleries plus many bars! Dinner and overnight at Almuña Day 7 After a short drive you catch the early morning train along the Guaudiaro Valley arriving at Benaojan for a traditional Spanish breakfast before setting out on the final part of your walking journey to Ronda. This takes you through rolling farmland until you see the city towering above as we approach: Skirting the Roman walls, through the old Arab quarter you arrive on foot to enter Parador perched on the edge of the cliff. In the afternoon you are free to explore this historic city built by the Romans, embellished by the Moors and still containing remains of both periods. There will also be time to visit shops in the evening before dinner. One night at the luxurious Parador with en suite bathroom facilities. Walk: 7 miles. Day 8 We leave in the morning for a two-hour drive through mountain scenery to catch your flight home.
NOTE: Itinerary subject to change according to local conditions. All mileages shown are approximate.
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
