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Paul Whitelock chooses his top 10 places to visit around Ronda and the Serranía. Do you agree with him? Add your suggestions in the comments section following the end of the article…
The Serranía de Ronda and the Parques Naturales de Grazalema, los Alcornocales and Sierra de las Nieves offer a wide variety of terrains, ranging from green valleys to barren mountains, to forests of cork oaks, chestnuts and almonds, to olive groves and to snow-capped mountains. With pretty pueblos blancos and remote farmhouses dotted about. It’s so hard to choose. but here are my final 10 in alphabetical order
Cueva de la Pileta, Benaoján. A speleological treat, this cave ranks with more famous ones in France and northern Spain. 30 minutes from Ronda via Benaoján. To visit the cave you need to book in advance. Tel. no. 952 167 343.
Cueva de la Pileta
Genal Valley I. This spectacular run down to Gaucín takes you past a string of pretty pueblos blancos, including Atajate, Benadalid, Benalauría, Algatocín and Benarrabá. On a clear day you can see Gibraltar and the mountains of North Africa.
Genal Valley II. Turn off at Algatocín and head for Genalguacil, the pueblo museo, famous for its statues and artwork dotted throughout the village. The scenery roundabout is stunning.
Guadiaro Valley. This run through stunning scenery takes in Benaoján, Jimera de Líbar, Cortes de la Frontera and El Colmenar. Either retrace your steps or return via Gaucín. This route takes you through spectacular and varied scenery and lasts a half-day or so.
La Ruta de Los Castaños, a beautiful journey through the chestnut trees around Pujerra and Igualeja.
Los Alcornocales. The area between Cortes de la Frontera and El Colmenar is cork oak country. A journey through a wilderness of half-shaven trees followed by a drink and/or snack by the station in El Colmenar/Estación de Gaucín.
Mr Henderson’s Walk. Park your car at Benaoján Estación and take the beautiful walk alongside the river Guadiaro and the railway line to Algeciras as far as Jimera de Líbar Estación. Allow 2 hours. Get a drink or a meal there and catch the train back to your car. Named after the Scottish engineer who built the railway.
Benaoján
Parauta – Cartajima – Júzcar – Alpandeire. There are several walks between these villages, but a car trip is also very worthwhile. Júzcar is the blue village, made famous in 2011 as the village chosen by Sony for a publicity film about the Smurfs.
Villaluenga del Rosario – Benaocaz – Ubrique – Cortes de la Frontera. Yet another route with ever-changing scenery. Villaluenga is the highest pueblo blanco in Cádiz province. Benaocaz boasts an abandoned village, the 8th-century Barrio Nazari, located above the current settlement.
Virgen de la Ermita. Drive or walk along the track from the Algeciras road out of Ronda and see the very best views of Ronda perched upon its cliff. The Arab hermitage hewn out of the rock is interesting too.
Acinipo
There are many other interesting visits around Ronda. What about Acinipo, the Roman ruins of Old Ronda, or the pretty village of El Gastor, the balcony of the sierras, or a relaxing circular tour from Ronda through the Parque Natural de Grazalema, visiting Montejaque, Grazalema, Zahara de la Sierra and Setenil de las Bodegas. Or a run to the Sierra de las Nieves driving out of Ronda along the El Burgo road and as far as Yunquera. Spectacular scenery. This parque natural is aptly named as the mountains have snow from November to March.
Please post your suggestions in the comments box below.
