Guided Walking Holidays in Andalucia
Ojén/Grazalema
 | This Pathways guided trip gives you the chance to experience walking from two different venues. The Sierra Blanca and the Sierra de las Nieves provide the backdrop to the Costa del Sol – stark hills rising to beckoning summits, but largely ignored by the sun-seeking hordes. Only twenty minutes drive from the coast, their solitude contrasts sweetly with the bustle of Marbella and Puerto Banus.
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Grazalema, further west, is a unique area of Spain, with its own micro-climate. It is a region of limestone cliffs and hills, and small white villages linked by ancient mule-tracks. Paths often run through old woods, and the valleys are full of greenery, wild plants and bird life in abundance. When you’ve had enough of walking, tapas in the village square is another pleasant activity
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 | The Ojen/Grazalema trip includes a 4x4 trip into the hills with Antonio, a local environmentalist, a visit to Pepe's goat farm and lunch in a typical white pueblo. |
The Hosteria de Don Jose is a bright, clean and welcoming small hotel run by Isabel, a well known member of the local community who also plays the part of Virgin Mary in the Christmas celebrations! |  |
Accommodation for the first three nights is in the Hosteria de Don José, a traditional hotel built in the local style. It is perched high above the white village of Ojén, with views down valley to the coast and the Med. The rooms are en suite.
For the remaining three nights we move to the Casa de las Piedras in the middle of the delightful village of Grazalema itself.
Transport: We recommend that you hire your own car, perhaps sharing with others. (We can help with these arrangements if needed.) This gives flexibility over choice of flights and arrival times. Our recommended car hire firm at Malaga airport is malagacar.com.
Meals: Breakfast at about 8 am and dinners 8–9pm (Wednesday – Friday) are included in the cost, as are picnic lunches. Dinners Saturday – Tuesday must be paid for, as well as extra drinks and personal snacks.
Groups often find it most convenient to operate a kitty system for drinks.
Arrival is on Saturday at Ojén. Directions below.
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrive Ojén
Day 2 (Sunday): Drive to the Refugio de Juanar (20 min.). A circular walk takes us around the back of the Sierra Blanca and includes an ascent of the Picacho de los Castillejos (1232m). The wildness of the walk contrasts starkly with the urbanisation of the Costa del Sol far below.
Day 3 (Monday): Starting again from the Refugio de Juanar, we climb to the summit of La Concha (1215m), an excellent peak with an exhilarating (but easy!) rocky ridge. This is a real mountain, from which we can look down on Marbella.
Day 4 (Tuesday): We take a 4x4 trip into mountains with a local guide. The day usually includes a visit to a goatherd, lunch in the typical white village of Istán, and a swim in a remote rocky gorge (when it’s warm enough!). We will also gain a lot of insight into the local flora and fauna.
Day 5 (Wednesday): Drive to Grazalema, with a short stop in Ronda, to arrive in Grazalema in the early afternoon. Local walk from Grazalema.
Day 6 (Thursday): A delightful walk through the hills from Grazalema to the charming village of Benaocaz where we can enjoy the views over a drink or maybe some simple tapas. We can return on foot or catch the bus!
Day 7 (Friday): A more challenging day which takes in the summits of Simancón (1564m) and El Reloj. Stunning views, forests and limestone peaks.
Day 8 (Saturday):A scenic drive back to the airport for your flight home, maybe enjoying lunch on the way in a typical Andalusian venta.
Weather:
In Andalusia in September the weather can be hot and the sun very strong, especially at altitude, although in the hills temperatures are usually comfortable. On the other hand, it can sometimes rain!
Grade and Terrain: This trip is suitable for any regular hill-walker. Paths vary from very good to almost non-existent, and there are some rough and slightly exposed sections to cope with, but no real scrambling. Longer ascents and descents are usually well graded.
Equipment list:
Walking boots or trekking shoes, lightweight, waterproof, supportive and comfortable
Rucksack (35 - 40 litres)
Waterproof top & trousers, as light as possible.
Sunhat.
Fleece gloves or similar
Lightweight fleece
Long trousers or tracksuit bottoms (lightweight polycotton or microfibre etc.)
Shorts
Shirts (incl. one long-sleeved.)
Underwear.
Walking socks.
Sandals or light footwear.
Water-bottle, preferably 2 litres.
Trail food: cereal bars, nuts & raisins, dried fruit
Sun cream.
First-aid kit (perhaps including. blister treatment, Immodium, antiseptic handwash, water purifiers.)
Washbag (soap, shampoo, toothpaste etc…)
Toilet paper (for emergencies).
Poly bags (useful for food, dirty clothes, maps etc.)
Knife (and possibly spoon) for picnics etc.
You may want to bring:
Books to read
Camera (& film.)
Binoculars.
Flower book
Alarm clock.
Walking poles (highly recommended )
Dates: May/June 2011
Cost: (£695 land only)
Single supplement: £75
Directions to Hosteria de Don José, Ojén
From Málaga Airport:
To reach the Hostería de San José, you take the motorway from Málaga to Marbella, where you turn off to Ojén. A few miles up this road, you turn off onto what was the old road to Ojén (signpost). Stay on this road, and when you reach the middle of the village you turn left up a steep road which leads after a hairpin bend, to the accommodation.
About 1 hr from the airport.
In Grazalema we will be staying in apartments at the Casa de las Piedras, Calle de las Piedras 32
Phone numbers:
Hostería de Don José, Ojén: 952 88 11 47
Martin’s Mobile: 07801 350 179
Pathways: 01229 889400
Grazalema
This Pathways Walks trip gives you the chance to get to know this area in some depth.
Grazalema is a unique area of Spain, with its own micro-climate. Less dry and parched than some areas of Southern Spain, it is a region of limestone cliffs and hills, and small white villages linked by ancient mule-tracks. Paths often run through old woods, and the valleys are full of greenery, wild plants and bird life in abundance. When you’ve had enough of walking, tapas in the village square is another pleasant activity
Accommodation We stay for seven nights at the Casa de las Piedras in the heart of Grazalema's narrow whitewashed streets.
Transport: We recommend that you hire your own car, perhaps sharing with others. (We can help with these arrangements if needed.) This gives flexibility over choice of flights and arrival times. Our recommended car hire firm at Malaga airport is malagacar.com. At Seville and Granada we use carjet.com
Meals: Breakfast at about 8 am and dinners with wine (8–9pm) are included in the cost, as are picnic lunches. Extra drinks and personal snacks must be paid for.
Groups sometimes find it most convenient to operate a kitty system for drinks.
Arrival is on Saturday at Grazalema. Directions below.
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrive Grazalema. Short (2-3 hrs) but spectacular local walk.
Day 2 (Sunday): A satisfying mountain today. We drive a couple of kilometres to the start of this walk. From here we climb through forest onto the long ridge which leads through some rocky sections to the peak of Torreon, at 1,654m the highest summit in the area.
Day 3 (Monday): After yesterday’s big mountain, this is a delightful stroll through the hills to the charming village of Benaocaz where we can enjoy the view over a drink or some simple tapas. We can return on foot or catch the bus!
Day 4 (Tuesday): The Pinsapar. One of the classic walks of the area, taking us through one of the extensive areas of pinsapo or bottlebrush pines, which survive in a few places in Andalusia and are very rare elsewhere. Return by bus from Benamahoma
Day 5 (Wednesday): Another good mountain day. Today’s route takes us through the heart of the hills, with inspiring views all day. We climb to the summits of Simancon (1,564m) and Reloj (1535m) before descending past the remote pool of Charca Verde. The access paths are good and well-graded, while the summit area is wild and tundra-like.
Day 6 (Thursday): Garganta Verde. An easy day today, involving a short but spectacular drive and a 3 km walk into the gorge to visit the largest colony of Griffon Vultures in Europe.
Day 7 (Friday): Grazalema – Zahara. An excellent linear walk over some impressive hills with great views. The day finishes in the village of Zahara, complete with hilltop castle and overlooking the lake .
Day 8 (Saturday): A very scenic drive back to Malaga, maybe with time to stop on the way for lunch in a typical Andalusian venta.
Weather:
In Andalusia the weather can be hot and the sun very strong, especially at altitude, although in the hills temperatures are usually comfortable.
Grade and Terrain: This trip is suitable for any regular hill-walker. Paths vary from very good to almost non-existent, and there are some rough and slightly exposed sections to cope with, but no real scrambling. Longer ascents and descents are usually well graded.
Equipment list:
Walking boots or trekking shoes, lightweight, waterproof, supportive and comfortable
Rucksack (35 - 40 litres)
Waterproof top & trousers, as light as possible.
Sunhat.
Fleece gloves or similar
Lightweight fleece
Long trousers or tracksuit bottoms (lightweight polycotton or microfibre etc.)
Shorts
Shirts (incl. one long-sleeved.)
Underwear.
Walking socks.
Sandals or light footwear.
Water-bottle, preferably 2 litre.
Trail food: cereal bars, nuts & raisins, dried fruit
Sun cream.
First-aid kit (perhaps including blister treatment and antiseptic handwash.)
Washbag (soap, shampoo, toothpaste etc…)
Toilet paper (for emergencies).
Poly bags (useful for food, dirty clothes, maps etc.)
Knife (and possibly spoon) for picnics etc.
You may want to bring:
Books to read
Camera
Binoculars.
Flower book
Alarm clock.
Walking poles (highly recommended )
Dates: May 2011
Cost: (£655 land only)
Single supplement: £75
Phone numbers:
Martin’s Mobile: 07801 350 179
Pathways: 01229 889400
Directions to Casa de las Piedras, Grazalema
From Málaga Airport:
To reach the Casa de las Piedras you take the motorway from Málaga past Marbella, soon after which you turn off to Ronda. Do not go into Ronda, but take the bypass and follow signs for Seville. After several kilometres you will pass the turning on the left to Montejaque, and soon afterwards you turn left to Grazalema. Follow the signs and after about 10km turn right at a T-junction at Puerto de los Alamillos. Follow the road into Grazalema. Casa de las Piedras is in Calle de las Piedras 32. Parking is usually possible somewhere up the street!