The Bandolero Route - a hiking week through secret Andalusia in spring

Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from the Costa del Sol to the starting point, accommodation at the village

Pass By: Marbella Old Town, Plaza los Naranjos S/N, 29601, Marbella Spain
We start our tour from Marbella

Pass By: Casares Castle, Calle del Arrabal 53, 29690 Casares Spain
We pass the beautiful white village Casares on our way

Pass By: El Hacho, Gaucin Spain
Gaucín is considered "the Balcony of the Ronda mountains" , with a view over the strait of Gibraltar to Africa and the Ronda Mountains

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: A charming family run Hotel within an orange grove on the river banks. Home grown organic food, Spa with Sauna, Jacuzzi

Day 2: Along the amazing Vulture Gorge, we walk to the village of Cortes

Pass By: Las Buitreras, Calle Pista Forestal, 67, 29490 Cortes de la Frontera, Málaga, Spain
The route starts gently along the river and leads along an impressive gorge, where we may see the first examples of the huge vultures that the canyon is named after, and cross the gorge over an old stone bridge. At the end of the route, we reach a little village, at the train station of Cortes de la Frontera, called Cañada del Real Tesoro, nestled between the Grazalema Natural Park and the Cork-forest. From there we take the train back to El Colmenar and stay at the same Hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

Walking time: 5 hours, 14,5 km Elevations: ↑683m, ↓530m

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Charming country hotel

Day 3: Our route takes us from Cortes over the beautiful "LIBAR PLANES" to Villaluenga del Rosario

Stop At: Calle Prados, 29380 Cortes de la Frontera, Málaga, Spain
Day 3 -2nd leg: from Cortes de la Frontera to Villaluenga del Rosario

The steep climb this day tour starts with, will be rewarded by spectacular views. You look down over the coast to the Rock of Gibraltar and across to Africa. From here you can also use the peaks of the Sierra Bermeja (Arabic for red mountain) to view the villages of Cortes de la Frontera, Gaucin and Jimena de la Frontera. The two plateaus which you cross, surrounded by mountains, are reminiscent of meadows in the Alps. Just before you reach the pretty little village of Villaluenga, you can see the remains of an ancient Roman bridge. Accommodation and dinner in a nice 2-star hotel in the village.

Walking time: 6 hours, 16,5 km, Elevations: ↑1065m, ↓532m
Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: Queso Payoyo, S.L., Calle de La Ermita 14, 11611 Villaluenga del Rosario, Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park Spain
Villaluenga is famous for it's great goat cheese, we can visit the cheese factory
Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Puente Villaluenga, Calle Puente, 7, 09512, Burgos, Spain
A Roman bridge

Stop At: Cementerio de Villaluenga del Rosario, Calle de la Torre 8, 11611 Villaluenga del Rosario, Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park Spain
Built into the ruins of a church, it is on of the most bazar places
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Lovely small Hotel in the Village.

Day 4: From Villaluenga to the charming mountain town Grazalema, famous amongst hikers for it's stunning surroundings

Stop At: Oficina Municipal de Turismo de Grazalema, Plaza Asomaderos 3, 11610 Grazalema, Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park Spain
Day 4 -3rd leg: from Villaluenga to Grazalema

Another spectacular hike that takes you across the rugged cliffs of the Grazalema mountains, with their bizarre rock formations that are an ideal retreat for mountain goats and other animals. The route takes you very close to the top of the mountain Reloj (clock), over and back down to Grazalema. Here you will meet more hikers, as there are many hiking routes starting from Grazalema.

Accommodation and dinner in a 4 * hotel in the village.

Walking time: 5 hours, 14,3 km, Elevations: ↑717m, ↓740m
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Artesania textil de Grazalema, Calle Ronda S/N A la Entrada Del Pueblo, Primera a la Derecha Pasando la Gasolinera, 11610 Grazalema, Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park Spain
Hand woven textil from Merino sheep wool.
Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, Calle Empedrada, 54, 11610 Grazalema, Cádiz, Spain
Typical street of Grazalema

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 4 star Hotel in village center

Day 5: From Grazalema to Montejaque and Benaoján, passing over an old roman way

Stop At: Mirador de Grazalema, 11610 Grazalema, Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park Spain
Day 5 -4th leg: from Grazalema to Benaojan

You leave from Grazalema on an old Roman road. A long, but varied and equally attractive route awaits you. Over several ridges and valleys you walk again to a hight of over 1000 metres and from there you can catch the first glimpse of the city of Ronda. The path leads down to the railway

station of Benaoján.

We finish the route of the day near the Pileta Cave (Pick up), and will start from there tomorrow morning.

Accommodation and dinner in an old mill, right on the river Guadiaro, that has been converted to a very comfortable "Hotel with Charm".

Walking time: 6-7 hours 17,6 km, Elevations: ↑572m, ↓967m
Duration: 7 hours

Pass By: Montejaque, Calle Juan José de Puya, 12, 29400 Ronda, Málaga, Spain
one of the most charming villages of Andalusia

Stop At: Cueva del Gato, Parque Natural de la Sierra de Grazalema, Benaojan Spain
a huge cave with a river coming out, building a small lake below, where the crave can have a very cold dip, it's a stunning place.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: charming country hotel

Day 6: Visiting the amazing prehistorical Cave La Pileta and walk from Benaoján to Ronda,

Stop At: Benaojan Town Hall, Plaza San Marcos, 1, 29370 Benaojan, Málaga, Málaga, Spain
On the morning of our last hiking day, we take the time before hiking to Ronda, to visit the cave "Pileta", with paleolithic cave paintings (tranfer to Cave included).

This last hike of your week takes you through meadows and forests to Ronda, the Bandolero Museum and the Tajo gorge. Drive back to Marbella

Walking time: 4,5 hours, 13,1 km, Elevations ↑553m, ↓287m
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Cueva de la Pileta, Carretera MA-8401, 29370 Benaojan Spain
The most amazing cave with beautiful color cascades of minerals, stalactites and prehistorical paintings from the upper Paleolithic's.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: El Tajo de Ronda, C/ de Arminan, 29400 Ronda Spain
The famous bridge that joins the historical old town with the new town.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Regio Andalusie, 29400 Ronda Spain
The famous city of Ronda is absolutely a must see in Andalusia
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.