• Andalucian Explorer: The best of Southern Spain

• Everyday (subject to availability) from January to June and September to December

• From £1030 (single supplement £185)
• From €1160 (single supplement €205)
• Extra: Transfers between Malaga and walking areas available. Price dependent on number in party. Please contact us for a quote

• + grade explained

• 10 nights, 8 days independent walking (mixture of day circuits and moving between locations)

• A walking itinerary which lets you experience the best of Andalucia
• Traditional Moorish architecture with white-washed box-shaped houses forming beautiful villages clinging to the hillsides
• Beautiful hotels
• Walking to the highest village in Spain
• Opportunity to visit the historic city of Granada and its fabulous Alhambra Palace
• A choice of walks on some days allowing greater flexibility
• Fabulous dramatic scenery of the Grazalema National Park in southern Spain with limestone outcrops and gorges
• Amazing wildlife with a rich fauna and flora
• Historic settlements including the superb town of Ronda
• A choice of walks on some days allowing greater flexibility
• An ideal winter, spring and autumn destination due to a favourable climate

• 10 nights in charming country hotels, 5 evening meals included in price

1. 10 nights accommodation in 2, 3 and 4 star or equivalent hotels based on 2 sharing;
2. All breakfasts and 5 evening meals
3. Transport of luggage between hotels
4. 3 Transfers from Ronda to Benaojan, from Grazalema to Ronda and from Granada to Capileira
5. Train journey from Ronda to Granada
6. Transfers between Malaga and walking areas before and after the holiday if included as option.
7. Detailed walking map and walking notes including details of the walks, hotels, sites of interest etc
8. 24hr assistance

1. Travel to and from Malaga or walking area, Spain
2. Picnic lunches
3. 5 evening meals
4. Drinks to accompany meals and during the day
5. Travel insurance
6. Any entrance fees

1. See our self-guided holiday in Alpujarras in the Sierra Nevada and independent walking holiday in Grazalema National Park
2. Other walking holiday destinations in Spain
3. Return to full list of Independent walking holidays

Walking profile

This self-guided or independent walking holiday in Andalucia is made up of 7 or 8 walking days; 3 days walking between locations and 4 or 5 days with circular walks. The walks vary between 8 and 20km in length and between 100m and 1300m of ascent in the day, although there is a choice on 4 days and so the maximum on any one day is 20km distance and 700m of climbing. There is a choice of walks on the centre-based walking days meaning that the overall grade can vary according to your choices. You can also choose to have a rest day among those days. The two walking days which go between hotels are among some of the more difficult walks. Some sections of the trail are rough and stony in places.

Walking days

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive in Ronda and make your way to Hotel San Gabriel, located in the historic old part of Ronda. Beautiful 4* family run hotel. (No evening meal). Transfer from Malaga can be included.

Day 2: Benaojan - Jimera de Libar 10km (short) 18km (long) 4-6hrs -100m (+100m on return)

A classic walk from your hotel descending to the village of Benaojan and then to the valley floor where you pick up a lovely path that will take you along the side of the railway to the sleepy village of Jimera de Libar. You can have a lovely meal at the Quercus restaurant before either catching the train back or retracing your steps and making the walk longer.

Day 3: Benaojan - Villaluenga del Rosario 20km 6-7hrs +700m  -500m

Walking from Benaojan up a wonderful limestone crag before walking down the long valley of Libar following the GR7 long distance path. You walk along the valley floor with sheer limestone cliffs rising on either side before heading over another limestone ridge and then on to Villaluenga.
Check into Hotel La Posada

Day 4: Villaluenga del Rosario - Grazalema 14km 5-6hrs +400m -400m

Another walk from hotel to hotel. Walking from Villaluenga up to the plateau just below Simancon peak. This walk is beautiful and varied taking in some great views and fantastic wildlife in the heart of the Grazalema National Park.
Check into Hotel La Mejorana

Day 5: A choice of circular walks from Grazalema

Grazalema Circuit 8km +200m -200m
A beautiful walk with fabulous views of the whole of Grazalema National Park. Walking past the Poso's (ancient fridges) and another great raptor watching day.
Or
Goat Herders Leap 17km (long) 9km (short) +300m -300m
One of the best walks in the area, walking to Benaocaz from Grazalema and back via a different trail (you can take the local bus back from Benaocaz to shorten the walk.)
Or
Climb Simancon 11km +700, -700m
A high peak that overlooks Grazalema and great views in all directions from the top.
Or
Pinsapar 12km +500m, -500m
A walk in the protected Pinsapar forest above Grazalema village. Beautiful views of the national park.
Or
Grazalema Circuit 8km +300m, -300m
A circular walk around the reservoir that feeds Grazalema and then up Cerro Grande for great views of Grazalema village.

Day 6: Granada

Transfer To Ronda (40mins) and then catch the train to Granada - this is a beautiful train ride.
Check into Hotel Puertas De Las Granadas. Centrally located on a quiet street near the Alhambra. (No evening meal)
Spend a day in the historic city of Granada and visit the wonderful Alhambra Palace (we will have your tickets organised.)

Day 7: Sierra Nevada

Transfer from the hotel to Capileira (1hr 30mins) and check into Finca Los Llanos (you could do a walk this day if your transfer is early - see options for day 8)

Day 8: Tour from Capileira

Choice of two walks:

La Cabadilla Circuit - 6/7km, 3-5 hrs, +/-200m
Walk from the hotel towards the stunnning Sierra Nevada mountain range and the deserted village of la Cebadilla. Abandoned in 1957 after the Hydroelectric plant was finished, a perfect village at the head of the Rio Toril and Rio Poquiera meeting. Walk back along the other side of the gorge to Capileira.
Or
Three Villages - 9km, 5-7hrs, circular walk, +/-600m
A beautiful walking trail taking in the three villages of Bubion, Pampaniera, and Capileira in the Poquiera Gorge.

Day 9: Capileira to hotel Mecina

A choice of two walks either walking out of the Poquiera gorge with some fantastic views of the Sierra Nevada before dropping down into the Taha region (14km 4-6hrs) or a shorter walk but no less beautiful and rewarding (8km 3-4hrs).

Day 10: Taha Region

A choice of two walks:
La Taha Valley Walk - up to 8km, +/-100m
Walk along the valley side with great views, walking through the villages of Ferreriola and onto Busquistar. Walk past the fountain of health and the Era de Trance.
Or
Sierra Mecina Circuit - 12km, 4-6hrs +/-200m
A beautiful walk through the Taha region. Walking on ancient mule tracks you will walk through a varied landscape and visit some of the best unspoilt villages in the Alpujarras region of Andalucia.

Day 11: Departure

Check out of Hotel and onward travel.