The Mountains of Ronda and Grazalema

Inland from the Costa del Sol, the mountains of Ronda and Grazalema form one of Andalucia's most spectacular and rewarding walking landscapes. Dramatic limestone peaks, deep river gorges, ancient white villages perched above terraced hillsides and two UNESCO biosphere reserves combine to offer a walking experience that is worlds away from the coast, just an hour or so to the south. With walks suited to regular walkers of most abilities, this second edition Cicerone guidebook by Guy Hunter-Watts and Mike Yeatman covers 32 graded routes across three areas, ranging from 4 to 16km (2 to 10 miles) and taking between 1 and 5 hours. Routes are paired with 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files, with refreshment stops, walking bases, and access information for each area. 32 graded walks divided across three areas, covering Ronda and the Sierra de las Nieves, the Genal and Guadiaro valleys, and the Sierra de Grazalema, with walks graded from easy to difficult and suited to most regular walkersRonda, one of Andalucia's most celebrated towns, is covered with multiple routes, including the dramatic Ronda Gorge circuit and a historical walk through the old town, making this the ideal walking companion for any visit to the cityThe Sierra de Grazalema, a UNESCO biosphere reserve and one of the wettest corners of Spain, is described in depth with routes including the Pinsapar walk through the ancient Spanish fir forest, the Garganta Verde gorge and the ascent of El TorreónThe Pueblos Blancos, the whitewashed hilltop villages of Zahara de la Sierra, Grazalema, Gaucín, Benarrabá and their neighbours, serve as walking bases throughout, each with its own character and history described in the guidebook1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files are provided for every walk, with notes on history, geology, plants and wildlife and a Spanish-English glossary throughout A long walking season from mid-September to mid-June makes this a particularly appealing destination for winter and spring walking breaks. This guidebook is the essential companion for exploring the mountains of Ronda and Grazalema on foot.