Le Mejorana, Grazalema
A delightful small hotel with exceptional views and character in the village of Grazalema. You will be well looked after by Andres and Ana.
Highlights
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 allows greater flexibility
An ideal winter, spring, and autumn destination due to a favorable climate
Let 's discover the full itinerary!
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive at Benaojan or transfer from Malaga to Hotel, Molino Cuatro Paradas. Your base for the next 2 nights.
Day 2: Benaojan - Jimera de Libar
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.
Overnight: Hotel, Molino Cuatro Paradas, Walk: 10km (short) 18km (long) 4-6hrs -100m (+100m on return)
Day 3: Benaojan - Villaluenga del Rosario
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
Overnight: Hotel La Posada, Walk: 20km 6-7hrs +700m -500m
Day 4: Villaluenga del Rosario - Grazalema
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.
Overnight: Hotel La Mejorana, Walk: 14km 5-6hrs +400m -400m
Day 5 & 6: A selection 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.
Overnight: Hotel La Mejorana
Day 7: Ronda
Check out of your hotel and transfer to Hotel Molino Cuatro Paradas (09.30hrs) to retrieve your car (only if arrived by car) and then onto the spectacular town of Ronda (transfer 30 mins). Check into the Hotel San Gabriel, in the old town of Ronda. Explore one of the most spectacular and interesting towns in Spain sat on the edge of a cliff with a monumental bridge spanning the gorge separating the old and new towns.
Overnight: Ronda
Day 8: Departure
Check out of your hotel and departure or transfer to Malaga.
At a glance
Jan - June & Sept - Dec
From €910
Self-Guided
7 nights /5 days walking
Linear Trail
Distance: 8 - 20km per day
Ascent: 100-700m per day
2, 3 & 4 star country hotels
B&B plus 3 evening meals
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Other self-guided walking holidays in Andalucia
Grazalema
Located in Andalucia in southern Spain between Sevilla and Malaga, the Grazalema National Park is a stunning location for a self-guided walking holiday with spectacular limestone and dolomite crags that rise dramatically above beautiful gorges, the most spectacular being the Garganta Verde, 'Green Throat'. Grazalema was the first Spanish National Park to be designated in Andalucia, following its recognition as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Sierra de Grazalema has exceptionally rich wildlife with Europe's largest population of Griffon Vultures. In addition, mammals include roe deer, Egyptian mongoose and Spanish ibex.
Grazalema has a seasonal wet season which helps create an oasis of green among the Andalucian landscapes with an extraordinary array of plant life and a recorded 1300 species. As well as the rich wildlife and stunning countryside, Grazalema and the surrounding area is home to some beautiful small white villages with some great accommodation, which we link together on our self-guided walking holiday. On the final full day of your walking trip you'll arrive in Ronda, a spectacular town built on the edge of huge cliffs with its old and new towns connected by an immense bridge.
On this independent walking holiday, you will have a mixture of day walks from your hotel and walks between locations. On 3 of the 5 walking days, you'll have the choice of walks meaning you can adapt the length of your trails.
Holiday Profile
7 night/8 days: 5 days independent walking moving between accommodation (mixture of day circuits and moving between locations)
Dates
Everyday (subject to availability) from January to June and September to December
Walking Profile & Grade
This self-guided or independent walking holiday in Andalucia is made up of 5 walking days; 2 days walking between locations and 3 days with circular walks. The walks vary between 10 and 20km in length and between 100m and 700m of ascent in the day. There is a large 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 on those days. The two walking days that go between hotels are among some of the more difficult walks with one day involving 20km distance and 700m of climbing. Some sections of the trail are rough and stony in places.
+
This walking holiday is graded moderate +. See more information about walking grades.
Accommodation & Meals
7 nights in charming country hotels, 3 evening meals included in price
Where is this trek?
When to Travel
March to June & September to October are generally dry (although, if it does rain, it pours), with warm/hot sunny days and bright blue skies, perfect for walking at any altitude. July & August are very hot and only high-altitude walking is recommended. December to February is the coldest time of year with some frost at night and a chance of rain or snow many bright sunny days are perfect for walking at low altitudes. The wettest period of the year is from November through to February inclusive.
Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps
There are a variety of markings and signs . Your walking holiday does not follow one particular way-marked trail. It is a composite of a large number of trails, although it does follow the GR 7 trail on some of the days. There are also footpath signs. The walking notes include references to markings and signs where they help with navigation. As well as the walking notes we supply detailed walking maps.
Luggage Transfers
On this walking holiday your main luggage is transferred between accommodations so you only have to carry a day rucksack with picnic lunch, water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc.
Travel Info
Flights
There are a large number of flights to Malaga from destinations from all over Europe by most of the main short haul airlines. From the UK, there are flights from many destinations including London Airports, Bournemouth, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff as well as others. Airline companies include British Airways, Easyjet, Iberia, Vueling.
Transfers from and to Malaga Airport can be included in the holiday price.
Note: Please check concerning the availability of a holiday before booking any flights. If you need further information or would like to discuss any aspect of your travel arrangements, please contact us, we’re here to help you.
7 nights / 5 days walking
- From €910
- Extra: Transfers between Malaga and Grazalema based on booking of 2: €75 per person each way (contact us for a quote for large groups)
- Prices per person based on 2 sharing a room
What's included in the price
- 7 nights accommodation in 3-star or equivalent hotels based on 2 sharing;
- All breakfasts and 3 evening meals
- Transport of luggage between hotels
- Transfer from Grazalema to Ronda on day 7 and taxi from Ronda to Benaojan (to pick up car) if required (see walking program for details)
- Transfers between Malaga and Grazalema can be added as an option
- Detailed walking map and walking notes including details of the walks, hotels, sites of interest etc
What's not included in the price
- Travel to and from Malaga or Grazalema, Spain
- Picnic lunches
- 4 evening meals
- Drinks to accompany meals and during the day
- Travel insurance
- Any entrance fees
Payment
- A deposit payment of 30% or at least £250 or 250€ per person must be made to confirm your booking. The balance of payments is due 8 weeks before the holiday date. If the holiday date is less than 8 weeks away at the time of booking, then the full price should be paid.
A variety of charming independent and friendly 2, 3 and 4 star hotels or equivalent. A mixture of styles mostly in traditional Andalusian properties. Three evening meals are included in the holiday price. Lunches are not included in the cost of the holiday and can be bought from the services in the local villages.
Hotel Molino Cuatro Paradas
A small rural hotel situated in the picturesque Parque Natural de Sierra de Grazalema (natural park), but only 10 minutes drive from the city of Ronda. The hotel enjoys superb views of the surrounding sierras. It is a tastefully converted flour mill, with 11 bedrooms located around a typical Spanish courtyard. There is an indoor restaurant, bar, and a beautiful outdoor dining area on the banks of the river. |
Extra Nights
Extra nights are possible at any of the hotels on this walking holiday. An extra night in Grazalema village would give you more opportunity to do further walk options in the area.
Combining trips
It is possible to combine this holiday with our other week-long walking holiday in Andalucia in the Alpujarras. We also have a 10-night walking holiday which combines the best of the two regions called our Andalucian Explorer.
Changing or Tailor-made holidays
It is possible to adapt these holidays to suit your requirements, for example by adding Granada or Sevilla to your trip.