Walking Holidays in Spain - Frontier Holidays

Type: Guided Walking in Spain's Nature Parks
Price: £690 per week half board (see note on What's included)

May 2-9, & September 19-26, 2010. Linear route. Transfer Malaga Airport.  Grade: Mediano (some longer days)

Stage 1 of the massive 9000 kms international route from Andalucia to Crete! The route starts at sea level and climbs gradually through Nature Parks to the stunning old town of Ronda......

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THE AREA
Fast becoming our Andalucian favourite with repeat walkers every year. Beginning at the ancient port of Tarifa on the Straits of Gibraltar , this linear route bears silent witness to the trade that has passed between Africa and Europe for millennia. The route links a chain of Moorish influenced villages from south to north before quickly delving into some of Europe’s last wilderness.

We hike through Nature Parks Los Alcornocales (cork oak woodland) and Sierra de Grazalema (craggy limestone ridges);  two of Andalucia's greenest areas, with an ever changing landscape providing a wonderfully varied backdrop to our daily itienarary. This is the best way to encounter laid back rural Andalucia, whilst discovering the modern pressures of a rapidly changing society.

The stunningly perched historic town of Ronda provides an unforgettable end to a sublime route. A classic walk in the making and exclusive to Frontier.

THE ITINERARY
Day 1   Rendezvous Malaga airport &  free transfer to Tarifa.

Day 2   A drop off into the Alcornocales Nature Park where we begin our linear trek.  The walk takes us through the Serrania de Ojén, the foothills of the park and a first taste of this unique area of denominated ‘Mediterranean Jungle’.  Onwards through cork oak woods to the stunning hilltop Moorish citadel village of Castellar de la Frontera.  As we climb gradually up to the fortifications the views open up over the whole of the Campo de Gibraltar and north towards the Serrania de Ronda.  Overnight in Castellar de la Frontera.     5 hrs.

Day 3   Today we leave the high ground to find water.  Turning north we start to shadow the Rio Hozgarganta up the narrowing fertile arable valley towards the white village of Jimena de la Frontera.  A chance to visit the Moorish castle built on newly excavated Byzantine Roman foundations.  Overnight in Jimena de la Frontera.              5 hrs.
  
Day 4   The longest day but also one of the most rewarding.  We follow a ridge climbing gradually through some of the most spectacular verdant park land in Spain.  The path passes abandoned smallholdings and several springs, before suddenly dropping down to the town of Ubrique, famed for its leather products.  Overnight in Ubrique.            6 hrs 30 mins.

Day 5   A shorter stretch today giving us a chance both to rest weary legs and visit the Roman ruins of Ocurri.  The route follows well preserved Roman and medieval roads which we follow for much of the day.  Overnight in Villalengua del Rosario.        3 hrs.

Day 6   A delightful walk over a limestone pass on a well worn zig zag track before continuing on the flat through one of the quietest parts of the Grazalema Nature Park.  Grazed narrow valleys dotted with Holm oaks nestle into a landscape of limestone outcrops.  Overnight in Montejaque.                                                    5 hrs.

Day 7   We head out of the mountains on Roman tracks to the fertile ‘vega’ before climbing into Ronda.  Time to discover some of the secrets of the old town.  Overnight in Ronda.                   4 hrs.

Day 8   Transfer to Malaga airport. 
     

ACCOMMODATION
 A variety of small village inns and hotels en route.  All rooms en suite.

Package includes, 6 days guided walking, luggage transfers, HB accommodation with wine inc.  Free airport transfers.

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When to go: All year except summer.
Transfer Options: Malaga Airport.
Grade of Difficulty: Medium - some long days.
What's included.: Package includes 6 day's guided walking, all luggage transfers, 7 nights half board accommodation (wine inc.) at a variety of inns and hotels. Free airport transfers. NOTE: Due to the present very low exchange rate to the euro, a surcharge of £45 will be made on this holiday.
Date: May 2-9 , September 19-26, 2010