Hiking between Ronda and Tarifa on the Route of the Almoravids & Almohads
Andalusia, Cádiz, Málaga, Ronda, Spain
Type of Tour
Featured, Hiking through Andalusia, Self-guided
Difficulty Level
Duration
8 days/ 7 nights
Departure - Destination
Ronda - Tarifa
Number of participants
from 2 travellers
Price from
595 €
The Route of the Almoravids and Almohads is one of the Routes of El Legado Andalusí, and certified as a Major Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. You will follow part of this route in reverse, starting in Ronda and finishing along the Straits of Gibraltar, bridge to the African continent.
You set out from the ancient town of Ronda, heading for Grazalema, one of the famous “white villages”. You will discover silver and pink mountains with their perennial pastures, and then continue down through the Guadiario River valley to Algeciras and the Mediterranean, and on to its meeting with the Atlantic Ocean.
You cross the Grazalema Mountains on foot, heading south, passing another beautiful White village, Villaluenga del Rosario, the highest in the province of Cadiz. Autochthonous species of sheep and goats (“payoyas”) graze on evergreen meadows set between limestone valleys, fairy-tale gall-oak forests and rocky gorges, producing delicious, highly-prized cheeses. You continue walking on the GR-7 towards the village Montejaque and from there you take the ancient Campo de Gibraltar Cattle Trail, following the course of the Guadiaro River to Jimera de Líbar, another jewel of a village. You will head to the Natural Monument Cañon de las Buitreras, simply spectacular: it is majestic and intimidating at the same time. From El Colmenar you take the train to get to your final destination in Algeciras, a beautiful ride crossing a dense cork forest, while the river converts the valley into a canyon and opening out again to come to the town ALgeciras. Your last walk runs through the Estrecho Nature Reserve, heading down towards the sea and then on, following the coastline. Your curiosity will be awakened by the rocky beaches and old military installations to be found in the area, while you awaken the curiosity of the many dark-coloured calves that graze on these coastal hillsides. Seduced by the wild landscape of this coast between two seas, daydreaming as you stare out to Africa, you arrive in Tarifa.
This tour combines moderate walks through unspoilt mountain countryside and valleys with beautiful white villages and a fantastic train ride. The small and charming inns give you a warm welcome after a day of hiking.