LANDSCAPE

The starting point of the walks is Gaucín, also known as the Balcony of the Ronda Mountains.

On the map you will find Gaucín northeast of Gibraltar and south of Ronda. From here you will see unrivalled views down to Gibraltar, to the Mediterranean and to Africa.

From Gaucín, captured between the two ever streaming rivers of the Genal and the Guadiaro and between mountains up to 1450 meters, you’ll walk through a wide variety of landscapes: through green meadows in lush valleys or through cork oak or pine forests into rugged mountains.

The terrain is rough and uneven, sometimes muddy near mountain streams and wells, then again you’ll find yourself on loose gravel or hard lime stone rock as we go up into the mountains. Climbs and descents range from 300 to 800 meters. You'll never have to walk on all fours or use ropes.

FLORA AND VEGETATION
The Ronda mountains show a wide variety of landscapes and vegetation. Cork oak and holm oak dominate the terrain. Down in the valleys you'll find poplars and eucalyptus. Farmers once planted olives, orange and lemon, fig, almond and carob trees.

Close to Grazalema there still is a forest of the famous "pinsapo sapies", an almost extinct pine tree from the last glacial period, that is only found in this area.

Although the rainfall in this region doubles that of London with a yearly average in Grazalema of more than 80 inches(!) the flora is adapted to a west Mediterranean climate, thanks to hot summers and porous limestone rock formations.

As soon as you leave the valleys, you'll encounter gorse, Spanish broom, dwarf fan palms, sunflowers (cistus), false sage and strong aromatic herbs like thyme and rosemary. From February to June it is paradise for Orchid lovers.

WILDLIFE
Impressive griffon vultures and resident eagles such as the booted, short-toed and golden eagle dominate the skies all year round.

During the migration you will see flocks of kites, harriers, storks, and many other birds.

Along the riversides you might find wild boar, mongoose, hoopoes, turtles, kingfishers, storks and herons. If you’re lucky also the otter.

Up into the mountains you’ll come across sheep, goat and cattle that still graze the small plains, accompanied by the tinkling of their bells, and you may encounter deer or the Ibex Iberico, an endemic wild mountain goat.