Inland Andalucia &
Grazalema Natural Park 
Inland Andalucia - Overview:
Far removed from the Andalucian "Costas" this land of rugged hills and deep valleys offers the perfect base for a relaxing holiday. Not only does the spectacular scenery work wonders just looking at this beauty is de-stressing - but inland Andalucia is a paradise for nature lovers, walking, bird watching and climbing.
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Inland Andalucia - Geography:
The heart of Andalucia has a fine agricultural heritage with row upon row of olive trees and orange groves dotted on the hillsides stretching as far as the eye can see. The centrepiece of the area is its Natural Park, the Sierras Subbetica, some 31,000 hectares of medium-height limestone mountains which extend through much of the region, their steep slopes and rugged crags overlooking pretty, narrow valleys. Although not especially high, it does boast Cordoba's highest peak, La Tinosa at 1,570 metres.
These sierras are a joy to behold, and well worth the trouble of getting out of the car and exploring on foot. Forested with oaks and maples, they are home to wild cats and boar, foxes and hedgehogs - not to mention the Cabrera shrew. Eagles, falcons, vultures and kestrels circle the skies high above; cuckoos, partridges, owls and swifts compete for the lower air space. Butterflies flutter through a pastoral scene of pure delight.
There is even more nature at work under ground with some wonderful cave formations, the work of rivers flowing through the limestone fissures.
Inland Andalucia - White villages & towns:
Dotted throughout the sierras are enchanting pueblos blancos (white villages): Grazalema, Montejaque, Benoajan, Ronda and Antequera to name but a few.
Grazalema Village:
The village in the natural park with perhaps the most dramatic setting is Grazalema. The village of Grazalema nestles between the two rugged peaks of Pico del Reloj and the Pico de San Cristobal. Grazalema is a white town at the natural centre of Andalucia, where narrow streets spread below craggy peaks on three sides to a green valley below.
Montejaque Village:
The enchanting white mountain village of Montejaque nestles within the heart of the Parque Natural de Grazalema and is just 20 minutes from historic Ronda. Dating back to the time of the conquest by the Moors, it is built on a rocky hillside above a fertile green valley of olive groves, vineyards and sunflower fields, nestled amongst spectacular mountains.
In Montejaque it is easy to become absorbed into the village way of life of rural Andalucia. Steep, winding streets cut between whitewashed cottages, whilst on the edge of the village, sheep and goat bells can be heard ringing as the animals clamber freely about the surrounding hillside. Although faithful to the traditions of the past, this is a thriving community with most modern facilities.
Benaojan:
Only three streets wide, Benaojan is a charming little white village situated on the river Guadiario, to the west of historic Ronda. Perched on the side of a limestone mountain, the delightfully sleepy Benaojan is 564 metres above sea level and, since the mid nineties, has become popular with discerning rural tourists. Benaojan retains a typically Moorish character with a labyrinth of cramped, very steep, narrow streets converging neatly onto the plaza and church. Near to the village are pre-historic caves to explore and the surrounding Grazalema Natural Park.
Ronda Town:
The ancient town of Ronda straddles the spectacular Tajo gorge and is the home of one of Spain's most famous bullrings. It is a town of stunning architectural styles with Moorish houses in much of the old town, interspersed with Renaissance mansions. One of the chief attractions of Ronda is the wonderful view of the surrounding countryside from the bridge over the gorge.
Antequera:
Antequera is situated 35 minutes drive inland, some 40km north of Malaga. This wonderful, relatively undiscovered part of Andalucia has breathtaking scenery, historical and architectural monuments and treasures dating back to Roman and Moorish times, along with a superb year round warm climate. Antequera is a vibrant and typically Spanish town, 35 minutes drive from Malaga, which has been known as the crossroads of Antequera since Roman Times. With its stunning historical monuments, Moorish castle, excellent and traditional restaurants, many fiestas and events you will experience a taste of traditional Spain.
Inland Andalucia - Grazalema Natural Park - Overview:
Visitors to the Grazalema Natural Park come to relax and enjoy a peaceful time away from the pressures of modern life; however, for those who like to be fairly active during their holiday there is no shortage of sports and leisure activities. Walking is one of the most popular activities. Numerous tracks wind away through mountains, cork forests and farmland where you can enjoy spectacular scenery undisturbed by traffic and everyday noise.
Inland Andalucia - Grazalema Natural Park - Geography:
Declared a Unesco Biosphere reserve in 1977, the Sierra de Grazalema was the first designated natural park in Andalucia in 1984, and still remains one of Spain's most ecologically outstanding areas.
Inland Andalucia - Grazalema Natural Park - Activities:
Surounded by such an abundance of nature, the Grazalema Natural Park is a paradise for botanists and ornithologists. It is without doubt an exceptional area for walking, trekking, hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, cycling, bird watching, caving, gorge descents, climbing, hot air ballooning over the Sierra de Ronda or just simply relaxing amid mountain countryside.
The 52 hectares of parkland is famous for its spectacularly rugged limestone landscape of cliffs, gullies, caves and gorges. By far the most impressive gorge is Garganta Verde, home to an exceptional griffon vulture colony, with rocky walls that tower vertically for 400m.
Andalucia's largest cave system is also found in Grazalema Natural Park - the Hundidero-Gato - with an entrance of 60m tall and its biggest cavern measuring 4km long.
Inland Andalucia - Grazalema Natural Park - Botanical paradise:
With an average annual rainfall of 2,200mm the Grazalema Natural Park has the perfect conditions for thriving plant life. 1,300 Mediterranean plant species have been registered here, many of them endemic and some of them unique to the Sierra.
There is a magnificent and well preserved forest of the rare Spanish fir at El Torreon. This dates back to the Tertiary period and is in the Sierra del Pinar, on the slopes of Cadiz province's highest peak at 1,654m.
Inland Andalucia - Grazalema Natural Park - Ecology and conservation:
Around 3,000 hectares of the park is an "Area de Reserve", home to the most fragile eco-systems, Spanish fir forests and black vulture colonies. Conservation measures are more strict here than in the rest of the Grazalema Natural Park and visits are strictly controlled.
At times when fire risks are greater (July to September) walks through this area are closed and for walking routes in the rest of the park, (except for Sendero Garganta Verde) you must be accompanied by an authorized Turismo Activo company. For the rest of the year, you need to obtain permits from the El Bosque information office.
Inland Andalucia - Grazalema Natural Park - Access:
The Grazalema Natural Park is easily accessible by car or on foot. The main roads crossing the Sierra are the A372 Ronda to El Bosque road and the A374 Grazalema to Ubrique road. The A373 links Ubrique with El Bosque on the western edge of the park. South of Zahara to Grazalema is the winding CA531, while the MA501 links Cortes de la Frontera to Benaojan.
Inland Andalucia - Our holiday accommodation and service:
Travel with secretdestinations.com holidays and enjoy privileged, sophisticated holiday destinations in Inland Andalucia including Montejaque and Ronda. Privately owned villas, apartments, villas with pools and hotels, in beautiful coastal and rural locations, hand-picked for an authentic taste of unspoiled secret Spain.
So, if you're looking for an activity holiday walking, cycling and trekking in Andalucia's mountains; exploring Spain's fascinating white villages such as Montejaque, rural towns and historic cities such as Ronda or Seville; fancy a spot of sailing, SCUBA diving, wind surfing, swimming, sunbathing or relaxing on great beaches (much of Spain's south coast is also ideal for a spot of winter sun); or you just want to simply escape the tourist masses with a privately owned apartment, cottage or villa with a pool, call our holiday team today. We can also assist you with flights to Spain, ferry travel and holiday car hire.
