Route

HIKE TO THE SALTO DEL CABRERO

Once at thel Puerto de Boyar (1,103 m), we begin our by by a path that passes on the same slope of the Sierra del Endrinal. Our route takes a gentle ascent towards the Puerto de Don Fernando, passing various farms where today many goat farmers tend and milk their flocks.
Just before arriving at the Puerto de Don Fernando we can see on the right hand the famous Salto del Cabrero, the goat’s leap, a drop of two vertical walls more than 80 m high and separated by a ravine of 50 m width. Once across the Puerto we continue on a path that takes us towards a boulder field. In this section of the walk we have to take care negotiating the boulders. We then descend towrds the road between Ubrique - Benaocaz, which we take to the left. This itinerary is also recommended from Puerto del Boyar to the Salto de Cabrero and returning by the same route (thus avoiding the extra legwork between Benaocaz and Puerto del Boyar).

Route

HIKE TO THE PINSAPOS

The path begins at an altitude of 1000 m; this passes on the northern slope of the Sierra del Pinar, cutting through the pinsapo forest between Grazalema and Benamahoma. From here we begin the ascent towards the Puerto de las Cumbres. During the ascent we can see the village of Grazalema, the new reservoir above it and even Ronda, crowned by the southerly Sierra de las Nieves mountains.

Once at the Puerto de las Cumbres we can discern the Sierra del Pinar, with the outstanding peaks of the Torreón and the Pico de San Cristóbal. Our walk continues by a small path on the left where plum trees and maple abound, although little by little we see the increasing population of pinsapos in the area, at first dispersed or in small copses, gradually forming a dense woodland of almost total pinsapo. Our route continues towards the Puerto del Pinar (992 m), which has a magnificent vantage point overlooking the mass of pinsapo forest. Once at this point we begin the descent towards Benamahoma around the breaks that give shelter to the griffon vulture, an area surrounded by typical Mediterranean woodland of Portuguese oak, holm oak and carob. We finish at the fresh water spring at Benamahoma.

Route

HIKE TO THE GARGANTA VERDE GORGE

We leave from the Puerto de los Acebuches, and from here we can see a magnificent panorama of the canyon which carries the Bocaleones stream bed and which we will use on our descent. We can also see the north face of the Sierra del Pinar covered with pinsapos. The route down is steep but perfectly defined in the wall of the mountain, leading down to the cave at the Ermita, a karstic rock formation with many stalactites and stalagmites.

This has to be the end of our route if we aren’t experts and carrying climbing equipment which is necessary to press on into the Gorge itself. We should point out that there is a noted colony of griffon vultures that lives in the walls of this gorge on the road between Grazalema and Ubrique.

Route

HIKE TO THE LLANO DEL REVÉS

The route passes parallel to the stream bed of the Arroyo de los Ballesteros and along the north slope of the Cerro el Montón. Once we have passed this hill we arrive at Llano del Revés, the end of this route. The ‘llano’, flat area or plain, is of special interest for its magnificent views; from here we can make out the slope of the Torreón, the Pico de San Cristóbal, the Puerto del Pinar and the Puerto de las Cumbreras. During the walk it’s possible we may catch sight of royal eagles, Bonelli’s eagle and the short-toed eagle.

Route

SENDERO DEL RÍO DEL BOSQUE

This route takes in the water meadows of the río Majaceite river (known locally as the El Bosque), sloping gently down towards the town of El Bosque itself. Walking along the river path we can see its small waterfalls, rapids and small sink holes. It’s highly recommended for its picturesque landscapes and also to observe the indigenous species of flora in the wooded water meadow. Once in El Bosque we recommend that you visit its fish farm and the botanical gardens of El Castillejo, where you can admire and get to know more about the botany of the Sierra de Grazalema.

Route

HIKE TO LOS LLANOS DEL REPUBLICANO

Leaving Villaluenga we head for the ‘cañada Real de los bueyes’, the ancient royal cattle droving track, towards the Puerto de la Mesa. After a short trek uphill to this point, we can see pastures and various farms. Arriving at the hilltop we begin the descent down towards Llanos del Republicano, where we can note the contrast between the zones of wild brush and dense cork oak woodlands. With each step closer to the Llanos del Republicano the landscape changes to poorer and thinner vegetation, and the valley is closed where the landscape abounds with streams and gulleys of water running towards the cave of the Llanos del Republicano. We should see raptors here, and the area is an outstanding attraction for potholers, who can investigate the numerous cavities of the Sierra del Caíllo.

Route

HIKE ON THE CALZADA ROMANA

We leave from the mirador, or lookout point, of the Conserjería de Medio Ambiente (office of the environment) based here (and where you can find out more about the outstanding peaks of the area). Our route takes us from Benaocaz towards the town of Ubrique along an ancient Roman track (the route can also be taken in reverse, Ubrique - Benaocaz). At first we walk along a section of path parallel to the road until we see the Roman track, which is now in a very good condition, having been renovated. Almost from the start of the track we can see the floor of the valley of Ubrique, which is where our walk takes us, ending at the fountain of Los Diez Caños (ten pipes, or taps). We recommend a visit to the town of Ubrique itself as it is one of the most important settlements in the region, outstanding for its numerous world-renowned leather workshops, as well as for the church of San Pedro and the Convento de los Capuchinos.

Route

SENDERO HOTEL FUERTE GRAZALEMA - LAGUNA DEL RIO CAMPOBUCHE

We leave the hotel by the vehicle entrance and at the exit cross the main road turning right and taking the second road on the left. A few metres on, the road forks and we take the left-hand route. After two kilometres we reach a flat area by the river Campobuche, or Gaduares. At this height we can see on the right ruined settlements and one of the biggest alcornoques, cork oak trees, in the whole of the Natural Park, known as the ‘Alcornoque de las Animas’, or tree of good cheer. Before crossing the bridge over the river, we leave the road and take a narrow path that heads off towards the Río Campobuche. After 300 metres, following parallel to the river, we come to a wire gate that we have to pass through however we find it, open or closed (if the latter, remembering to secure it behind us). The path passes a typical Mediterranean woodland of cork oaks and Portuguese oak and continues on, always following the water meadows of the Gaduares which we will cross at various points on the path.

At around 2.5 km. where large rocks start appearing over the river the path becomes less marked, but finally, following the river, some 500 metres on we arrive at a spot by a lovely small lake or reservoir, very close to the border between the provinces of Cádiz and Málaga. It’s at this point that we return in the direction of the hotel.

NOTE: Be aware that the water in the river is not drinkable along this section. Please respect the animals you encounter on the route (cows, pigs, and at times horses). Very experienced hikers (only) may like to know that following this valley in the direction east and south east there is a path that veers away from the river to the south and continues to the village of Montejaque 7km further on. (Including the return from Montejaque the total route length will be 24km, for which we recommend that once in Montejaque you hire a taxi to return to the Hotel Fuerte Grazalema).