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Best of Andalucia

11 Days & 10 Nights 3.3 Read 3 reviews
  • Explore the highlights of Andalucia on foot, from beautiful Ronda to exotic Granada
  • Discover the sparkling white villages (Pueblos Blancos) of the Sierra de Grazalema
  • Walk to Trevelez, the highest village in Spain, at the foot of the mighty Mulhacen
  • Follow ancient trails in Las Alpujarras, which cling to the slopes of the Sierra Nevada
  • Enjoy a plate of tapas and glass of ‘vino’ in plazas shaded by scented orange trees
Explore the best of enchanting Andalucia, and experience the very essence of Spain on this “grand tour” starting in Ronda and finishing in Granada. Discover glistening white-washed villages, exquisite Moorish monuments including the famous Alhambra, and walk on trails through the craggy mountains of the Sierra de Grazalema, and the laid-back villages of Las Alpujarras on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada. Stay overnight in charming boutique hotels in idyllic locations surrounded by mountains. As you walk, pause for a rest and enjoy a picnic of local specialities including the famous ‘jamon serrano’. With a perfect combination of time spent in the quiet mountains and days exploring the vibrant cities of Ronda and Granada, this is Andalucia at its best.

What To Expect

A great option if you have more time and want to experience some of the real highlights of Andalucia. Follow trails through rugged mountainous terrain with daily walks between 10 and 20km with ascents of between 225m and 935m, on a mixture of unsurfaced tracks, footpaths and animal trails. Overnight stays are in small rural hotels in great locations in the heart of beautiful valleys and surrounded by mountains, and four nights will be in a stylish 3 or 4* hotels in the city of Granada and the town of Ronda.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveller this holiday would be suitable for is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

  • Foodie
  • National Parks
  • Off the Beaten Track

Grade & Terrain

This walking tour is graded moderate overall, with days 6 and 7 being graded more moderate-strenuous due to the levels of ascent/descent involved. Walks are between 3-8 hours on a mixture of unsurfaced tracks, footpaths and animal trails with the occasional section on surfaced tracks or small tarmac roads. Some of the terrain is quite rocky and you may encounter some loose rocks or muddy/slippery sections in wet weather. Ascents are between 400m and 1130m with descents of up to 925m. During the shoulder months of June and September the walking may become more difficult due to the higher temperatures at that time of year and we recommend setting off early on those days.

Navigation

The routes on this trip are generally way-marked but we will also provide detailed route notes and maps. You will also have access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App enabling you to follow the route using your phone’s GPS so using this combined with the provided route notes and maps means you should have no problems finding your way. You can simply download the GPX tracks to your phone for offline use and off you go!

Accommodation Information

6 Nights accommodation in small rural hotels in the Alpujarras, and 4 nights in 3 or 4* hotels in Granada and Ronda are included in your tour.

The accommodation we normally use is detailed below. We may sometimes have to use alternative hotels subject to availability but if this is the case we will always let you know when confirming your booking.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

Single rooms are available and a single supplement is payable. This trip is available to solo walkers but we recommend that you are an experienced walker who is comfortable with navigation, has walked in rougher, mountainous terrain before and is comfortable with steep ascents/descents and some steep drop-offs.

Meals

10 Breakfasts are included and usually consist of breads, fruits, cheeses and meats. Dinners are included on 4 nights—the nights in Zahara de la Sierra, Trevelez and Berchules. Lunches, (and dinners on the days not mentioned above) are not included but you will find suggestions in your route notes of local places to eat. A packed lunch is provided in Zahara de la Sierra. The food is a real highlight in Andalucia and you will feast on hearty local specialities such as the serrano gazpachos’ (gazpacho served with tasty chunks of Iberico ham), and the mouth-watering payoyo goats cheese in the Grazalema and Plato Alpujarreno (tasty dish made with sausage, potatoes and eggs), and Trucha con Jamon (trout with ham) in the Alpujarras.

Included
  • 6 Nights in small rural hotels
  • 4 Nights in a 3* or 4* hotels in Ronda and Granada
  • 10 Breakfasts
  • 2 Dinners and 2 Packed Lunches in Zahara de la Sierra
  • Luggage transfers as per itinerary
  • Transfer from Ronda to Zahara de la Sierra
  • Detailed route notes, maps and pre-departure information pack
  • GPX tracks and access to our smartphone app
  • 24/7 Emergency telephone support
Excluded
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Travel to Ronda/from Berchules
  • Lunches, dinners (other than those detailed), snacks and drinks
  • Personal equipment
  • Train from Ronda to Granada on Day 6
Extras
  • Additional nights before, during or after the tour

When To Go

You can start this tour on any day of the week subject to availability between March to May, and then again from September to November. We do not offer this tour in the summer months as it is too hot for enjoyable walking then. It is worth noting that even in the shoulder months of May and September, this region can still be very hot. You should always check weather forecasts before starting out and make sure you head out straight after breakfast to avoid the hottest part of the day. 

Weather and Climate

Andalucia is enjoyable most of the year round and each season has it’s own highlights. The spring months of March and April are fantastic if you want to see bird migrations in full swing and a profusion of flowers in bloom. The temperatures start to heat up in May and June and the slopes are filled with colourful butterflies and bee-eater birds. In the autumn months the days start to cool down, chestnuts fall from the trees and the colours turn to more shades of brown and golden.

Getting to the Start

By Air: Malaga Airport is the closest airport to Ronda, reachable by bus in approx.2h. Seville is also a good option, reachable by bus in approx. 2.5hrs.

By Train: Ronda is well connected by train to other Spanish cities including Granada (2h 30m) and Cordoba (1h 45min). Visit the Renfe website for more details.

Getting from the End

By Air: We recommend flying out of Granada Airport which is again the closest and most convenient airport to Berchules. From Berchules, take the ALSA bus to Granada (3 times a day, 3hrs).

Malaga is another option but you would need to make your way via Granada by bus which takes a bit longer (approx. 5.5hrs).

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight stay. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Equipment

Your detailed information pack will be sent to you after you book. This has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, waterproof clothes and a day pack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

How far in advance do I need to book?
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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Ronda Day 2 Free day in Ronda, transfer to Zahara de la Sierra Day 3 Loop Walk from Zahara de la Sierra 9 miles / 14.5 km Day 4 Walk to Grazalema 11.3 miles / 18.2 km Day 5 Walk to Ronda 7 miles / 11.3 km Day 6 Train from Ronda to Granada Day 7 Free day to Granada Day 8 Transfer to Capileira, walk to Ferreirola 6.9 miles / 11.1 km Day 9 Walk to Trevelez 10.1 miles / 16.3 km Day 10 Walk to Berchules 10.3 miles / 16.5 km Day 11 Onward Travel

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