This varied holiday starts in Ronda for a taste of the history and culture of Andalucia. There are lots of things to see and experience, so arrive as early as you can to make the most of your visit. The New Bridge together with the bullring are the recognised images of the city and rightly so. The first attempt at a new bridge in 1735 was a single span 35m arch, which unfortunately collapsed a mere 8 months after it was built. The replacement took over 40 years to build but has stood the test of time for over 200 years and still provides the most distinctive image of Ronda. The bullring is another fine piece of architecture and even if you do not approve of the reason for it being there it would be a shame not to take a look around. Arab Walls and city gates are worth walking around if time allows, confirming the strategic importance of the city and the need to defend this hilltop stronghold. The grand houses, palaces, churches, convents and Arabic public baths, all show how the inhabitants have lived over the ages. Many have gardens, courtyards and patios in a North African style from where you can get sweeping views across the surrounding countryside from atop the escarpment.

After the delights of Ronda head for rural Grazalema, put on your walking boots and be ready to discover the high sierras and famous ‘white villages’ of Andalucia. The Grazalema Natural Park, declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, covers a vast area of limestone scenery rich in vegetation, consisting of Mediterranean species: holm oaks, cork oaks, gall oaks, wild olives and carob trees. There is also interesting bird life with a healthy population of birds of prey and in particular vultures. The limestone has been eroded into gorges, caves, ridges and gullies, a wilderness punctuated by the many white villages often perched on a hill top or nestled into the hillside. From the town of Grazalema we cross the Mountains on foot, heading south, passing another beautiful village, Villaluenga del Rosario, the highest in the province of Cadiz. Sheep and goats graze on evergreen meadows producing delicious, highly prized cheeses. We continue on foot on the ancient Campo de Gibraltar Cattle Trail, following the course of the Guadiaro River to Jimera de Líbar station. The train takes us south to Jimena de la Frontera an old fortified frontier town with a 13th century Romano-Moorish castle. Jimena de la Frontera, which has recently been designated a “Parque Cultural”, is one of the traditional white villages in the foothills of the Ronda mountains. It is primarily an agricultural community well off the main tourist track but has a reputation as a good base for outdoor activities especially walking and riding. You have a full day to explore the countryside of the magnificent remote and wild Alcornocales Park and discover some of the varied history of this unspoilt landscape.

Boarding the train south once more, head towards the coast at Algeciras where you will be met by a driver and taken to the start of the final walk through the Estrecho Nature Reserve. The route heads towards the sea and then follows the coastline passing rocky beaches, old military installations and dark-coloured cattle grazing on the coastal hillsides. It is a wild landscape where two seas meet and you can stare out to Africa, just 14km away, as you arrive in the narrow cobbled streets of old Tarifa. The original castellated city walls of this ancient town are tightly woven into the fabric of the whitewashed houses. Here you can visit the Roman ruins of Bolonia, the beaches or if you opt to stay in Tarifa for an extra day you can take a trip to Morocco.
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Travel Information

Season: Any day from 1st March to the end of December. If you choose to travel in July and August you need to be aware that it can be very hot in Andalucia. 

Joining point: The tour starts at the first hotel in Ronda. If you are booking flights to Malaga through Sherpa or independently you must travel to Ronda independently.

We recommend that you take the airport shuttle bus to Malaga bus station. Departures are every half an hour from outside the airport terminal. The journey takes about 30 minutes and costs 2 Euros. From the main bus station take the bus to Ronda, these leave at approx every hour (except lunch/siesta time). The journey time is 2½ hrs and costs approx. 10 Euro.
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During the trip: On some days you need to take a bus or train. This is indicated in the itinerary below and full details and timetables are given in the route notes that are sent to you before departure.

End of Tour: The tour ends on day 8 in Tarifa after breakfast. To make your way back to Malaga airport first take the bus to Algeciras (30 mins, 2 Euro, at least 14 buses a day), then the bus on to Malaga (1hr 45 mins, 10 Euro, 12 buses a day) and finally the shuttle bus to the airport (30mins, 2 Euro, every 30 mins). 

Nearest airport:  Malaga.

Flight inclusive holidays include return British Airways flights between London and Malaga. If you prefer to fly from a regional airport to Malaga then please ask for availability and prices.

If you prefer to book ‘land only’ you can book your own flights using low cost airlines to Malaga.
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General Information

Baths: it is not the norm for your room to have a bath, the main reason being that it takes up a lot of space, some hotels/guesthouses may have a separate room in the house where a bath is available to guests, but in most places the en suite facilities will include a shower.

Breakfasts: in countries such as France/Italy/Spain/Greece etc are usually coffee and toast/croissant, if you want more for breakfast then we would suggest you purchase some food the night before. It is important for you to tell us if you have any dietary requirements when you book your holiday so that we can inform everyone that you are staying with.

Language: When travelling in less frequented areas you will not necessarily come across people speaking English. Remember you have left home to find things different, take a phrase book and try some Spanish.

Luggage: On some days you must take your bags with you when travelling from one hotel to the next by bus or train. For this reason we recommend that you do not bring too much with you. On days when you walk between hotels your bags will be moved for you. Details are given in the itinerary below. On arrival at some hotels you may find that your luggage will have been taken to your room awaiting your arrival, however don’t be surprised if your luggage is waiting for you at reception.

Accommodation & Meals

7 nights bed and breakfast are included. Evening meals and picnic lunch supplies can readily be obtained at each destination. All rooms have en suite facilities.

q       Night 1: : In Ronda we stay in a charming 3* hotel, with pool and no more than 10 bedrooms, situated in the historical centre..

q       Night 2: The hostal in Grazalema is an old restored house in the centre of the village with a small restaurant offering traditional cuisine.

q       Night 3: : In the picturesque village of Villaluenga we stay in a small 2* hotel at the top of the village.

q       Night 4: In Montejaque our 3* hotel is situated in the central square

q       Nights 5 and 6: 2 nights in Jimena de la Fontera are spent in a hostal with twelve charming rooms, Andalucian courtyards, vine shaded terraces, roof top swimming pool and sun terrace. This hostal also has a cosy bar, decorated with railway regalia and a restaurant.

q       Night 7: In Tarifa the 2* hotel is situated right in the historical centre close to the castle of Guzmán el Bueno.

Level of Difficulty

The tour is graded easy but is at the top end of the grade; the terrain is not difficult but there are some hills. Days are not particularly long and there is usually plenty of time to take the days walking at a gentle pace..

Fitness: The walking should present no difficulty to anyone in good general health who walks from time to time for 4 or 5 hours..

Waymarks: On most days the itinerary follows well-used footpaths, mule tracks, unsurfaced forest roads and occasional short stretches of tarmac roads. Signposting is common and much of the route is waymarked with arrows or red/white paint. On at least one day there are no markings and you must rely on your map reading skills and the Sherpa notes It is necessary to be able to use a topographic map and compass.

Outline Itinerary

q       Day 1: Arrive Ronda. It is recommended that you arrive as early as you can if you want to see most of the sights. The itinerary allows time on arrival and most of the morning on day 2 for sight seeing. Your route notes will contain a suggested itinerary on foot in Ronda.

Day 2: The first part of the morning is spent sightseeing in Ronda and then take the 12.30 bus to Grazalema. You must carry your luggage with you on the bus but it is easy to get to the bus stop, as it is in the central square just a few minutes walk from the hotel. Check in at the hotel and then spend the rest of the afternoon looking at the historic sites of Grazalema and a circular walk to the Sierra del Endrinal Mountains. There are 2 possible routes, one of 6km and the other of 10km, involving 350m or 500m of ascent respectively.

q       Day 3: After breakfast leave your bags at reception and head out on the walk to Benaocaz. This walk passes through the “Salto del Cabrero” or Goathurds Jump, an impressive narrow gorge, crosses a high plain and then descends on an ancient path to the village of Benaocaz. The church, old cobbled streets and town hall are worth a wander around before you have to catch the bus for the short journey to Villaluenga and your hotel. The route is 11km with 250m of ascent and should take about 4 hours.

q       Day 4:  After breakfast leave your bags at reception and head out on the walk to Montejaque. This walk is the longest of the holiday but there is plenty of time to go at a steady pace. The route follows part of a long distance footpath across the Llanos del Republicano Plain, over a pass and descends to Montejaque. Approx 5½ hours walking, 19m and 250m of ascent.

q       Day 5:  After breakfast again leave your bags at reception and walk to Jimera de Libar This walk includes 400m of ascent but is just 13km long. It should take about 3½ hours. The route first heads towards the “Cats Cave”, then takes the old cattle track to Jimera de Libar. The walk takes you to a nice restaurant just 100m from the railway station to be reunited with your bags and enjoy a long lunch. The train to Jimena de la Frontera leaves just after 5pm. You must take your bags on this train for the 40 min journey. A taxi driver will meet you on arrival and take you to your hotel.

Day 6: Circular or out-and-back walk from Jimena de la Frontera, with time to look around the town and see the historical sites. One walk takes about 4½ hours and is 15km long passing an old mill and rock pools that are good for a cooling dip. Shorter walks are also available. Second night in Jimena.

q       Day 7: A taxi is organized to get to the station for the 10.23 train south to Algeciras. The journey is just over an hour, which leaves plenty of time for the 5 hour 15km walk and for sightseeing in Tarifa. Take your luggage on the train as far as Algeciras where you will be met by a vehicle and driver who will take you to the start of the walk and your bags on to the hotel. The walk goes through the El Estrecho Nature Park, then along the fantastic coastline with rocky beaches to Tarifa. A fitting walk to end the Sierras to the Sea adventure..

q       Day 8: Depart Tarifa after breakfast.

We can arrange extra nights in Tarifa for those who would prefer a longer stay. 
Note: For groups of 8 or more we can normally arrange an escorted departure on whatever day you would like to travel.