Guided mountain walking — small international group — Serranía de Ronda
The Genal Valley
Guided mountain walking — small international group — Serranía de Ronda
We follow the picturesque pathways of the Genal, its tributaries and the surrounding sierras, through the fragrant Mediterranean forest and the strangely lunar Riscos, by mountain streams and the silvery crests of the limestone summits. There are wonderful panoramas to photo and delicious local dishes to taste in the white villages, spectacularly set cascading down a hillside or nestling under a ruined castle.
ONE WEEK Activities: five walks of 4-5 hours and one of about 3 hours; workshops in the local craft of esparto and in Sevillanas, a popular dance related to flamenco; afternoon in Ronda. No portage of luggage; no technical difficulty; on (sometimes steep) paths with a few 'off path' sections. Denivellations 350-600m a day. Group 10 maximum.
FULL BOARD 7 nights in twin rooms with a host family at Jubrique.
PRICE 589 euros per person; single room supplement 50 euros.
OPTION: 8H individual Spanish course; supplement 95 euros. Reserve on booking.
DATES (Sunday-Sunday)
2012 Monday 2-Sunday 8 January: special 6 night Epiphany holiday, price 525 euros, single supplement 40 euros — please ask us for details;
2012 19-26 February, 11-18 March, 8-15 April, 29 April-6 May*, 13-20 May‡, 29 July-5 August#, 12-19 August#, 9-16 September, 7-14 October, 4-11 November.
Modified weeks:
*Las Máscaras: Jubrique Spring Carnival.
#Summer: free entry to Jubrique's swimming pool during opening hours; some alterations to walks; no workshops
‡NATURAL PARKS OF THE SERRANIA: A complementary choice of walks to those described below, generally at a higher altitude, amid the grandiose landscapes of the Sierra Bermeja, Sierra de Grazalema and Sierra de las Nieves (5 walks of 5-7 hours, max +800m, a day excursion; no workshops). Click here for more details and photos of the Natural Parks week.
RENDEZVOUS & DISPERSAL Málaga (airport, station or city centre). Choose a flight arriving before 15.00 and departing after 12.30.
Location of this programme:
DAY-TO-DAY
SUNDAY: Transfer from Málaga to Jubrique.
MONDAY: Spectacular walk of the Peñón de Benadalid, between the broad, open Guadiaro Valley and the steep, narrow, wooded glens of the Genal. Lunch at Benadalid, a delightful village with a unique 'castle cemetery'.
TUESDAY: Across the Monarda valley to Genalguacil ("Gardens of the Vizir"), with flowered alleys, fountains and giant sculptures. Lunch at the Venta de las Cruces, return to Jubrique by the former 'Camino Real'.
WEDNESDAY: In the Riscos de Cartajima, a labyrinth of limestone rocks sculpted by wind erosion. Lunch, free afternoon to visit Ronda with our historical topo-guide.
THURSDAY: Through the orchards and colourful matorral of the Higuerón with splendid views of the Genal and the lower Monarda.
FRIDAY: By the path of the Hoyones to the Genal at the idyllic site of La Gambilla, for bathing and a picnic.
SATURDAY: Ascent of the 'rockeries' of peridotite of El Canalizo (1167 m/3829 ft), a long ridge between the Monarda and the Mediterranean: excellent views including the Moroccan Rif when clear.
SUNDAY: Transfer from Jubrique to Málaga.
Natural Parks of the Serranía from Jubrique / Nature Rambles—Serranía de Ronda from Jubrique
self-guided walks from Jubrique / Mar y Sierra / other guided walking: Andalusia / festivals
walking: central Spain / northern Spain / historical journeys / relaxing weeks / Spanish courses
for families or friends / Holiday index+calendar / Introduction in English / How to book / e-mail us
2 or 3 weeks' walking? Choose a combination of 'Genal Valley', 'Natural Parks of the Serranía', 'Mar y Sierra', 'Caliphs & Knights: Cordoba & Segura', 'Moorish Kingdom Granada', 'Sierras of Extremadura', 'Sierra de Guadalupe', M&C Cuenca–Teruel', 'Alto Maestrazgo', 'Natural Parks of Old Castile' or 'Picos de Europa National Park': all are different and complementary. Reduction for 2 consecutive programmes, 80 euros; for 3, 120 euros.
