Ronda - Estación de Benaoján walk description

Time: approx. 2/3 hours
Ascent: approx. 350 meters
Descent: approx. 300 meters
Distance: approx. 10 km
Walking level: easy
Time of the year: avoid in hot weather as there is no shade.
Best time for wild flowers: January to beginning of June
Starting point: Wide open square of the Barrio San Francisco, Ronda (parking spaces available around it most of the time)


Leave the wide open square of the Barrio San Francisco and the old walls of Ronda (and mini round-about) behind you and walk up the Calle Torrejones (A369 road) signposted for the Camping El Sur (it is also the old road to Algeciras/Atajate).


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Keep walking up, past residential areas until you see a big pink sign indicating La Virgen de la Cabeza. Turn right here and the road forks immediately. Ignore the road on the right going to La Virgen de la Cabeza and take the road on the left. Follow this road down amongst olive and almond groves and keep going downhill.

The road will turn into a dirt track and will fork: ignore the track bearing to the left signposted in blue – this is the walk called “los amanisco” (linear walk), and continue downhill on the wider track bearing right.

Stay on this main track now which will go over 2 passes with meadows on either side. After the first pass, the track will go downhill and up again and you will come to a farm gate. Take the little path to the right of the gate (crossing a river bed - dry most of the time) and follow the path going up in between 2 fences. When at the top of the second pass, you will have great views over Ronda and its famous New Bridge behind you and of the Guadiaro Valley and the village of Benaoján in front of you.

Follow the track downhill with fields either side of you. Watch out for the Sexima Tower, also called Arabs tower (a vigil and protection tower used by the Moors during the Catholic Re-conquest - Ronda was taken in 1485) silhouetted in the distance on the left hand side. You will also be able to see your destination, the village of Estación de Benaoján, an extension of Benaoján which sprung up around the then newly built train station when the Bobadilla-Algeciras train line was constructed (1850). 

Just after reaching a derelict building on the left hand side and a garden on the right, go through the pedestrian little gate to the left of the main gate (well, chain and make shift gate) and continue downhill on the track. Walk round the next “chained fence”. The track turns to tarmac and reaches the main ronda-Banaoján road. At the road, turn left, and before you reach the bridge, take the little path on the left, behind the Armco barriers. And turn left again almost immediately taking the little path going downhill under the trees. You will shortly reach a track.

If you want to have lunch in a cute place and visit the Cueva del Gato, the longest cave complex in Andalucía, turn right, under the road bridge, and follow this path along the river Guadiaro, cross a dry river bed and walk to the right of the Hotel 4 Paradas where the path continues right behind it (don’t go through the gates), and follow the path cobbled in places, along the river until you reach the second hotel/restaurant Cueva del Gato. To see the entrance of the caves with its lovely lagoon, go across the bridge (might still be in a bad state of repair but still passable after last year's floods). Turn back to get to Estación de Benaoján. It normally takes 30 minutes to walk from the bridge to Cueva del Gato.

If you prefer to go to directly to Estación de Benaoján, turn left on the track and follow it along the river, ignoring tracks on your left. At the little bridge (start of the Estación de Benaoján-Estación de Jimera de Libar walk), turn right, cross the bridge and walk up the road leading to the railway crossing, cross it, turn right to get to the train station and there are 2 “bar/restaurants” there. Or turn left and follow signs for Hotel Molino del Santo, if you fancy a gourmet meal by a babbling stream (only 5 minutes away).

Train times departures (journey only takes 20 minutes)
Benaoján to Ronda: 8.27 / 13.11 / 17.16 / 20.24 (not Saturday or Sunday)
Ronda to Benaoján: 07.30 (not Saturday or Sunday) / 09.15 / 16.16 / 19.49

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List of what to bring when walking in the Serranía de Ronda, Andalucia

When going on a walking holiday in the Serranía de Ronda, Andalucía, it is important to pack all the key items which will enable you to enjoy fully your walking holiday. Here is bellow a list of the items that are in my opinion essential to bring with you: 

Essential items for all seasons

√ Worn in walking boots (you will be more likely to get blisters with brand new boots)
√ Walking/hiking socks (goog quality socks adapted to the time of the year you will be walking will keep you nice and comfortable)
√ Water bottle (always have plenty of water with you as you can easily get dehydrated even in winter)
√ Light weight day pack (a must to carry all your essentials)
√ Walking stick if you normally use one
√ Lightweight trousers for comfortable walking in all terrain (some walks can be overgrown with long grasses and thorny bushes so wearing trousers will protect your legs from scratches and unwanted bugs such as ticks)
√ Travel insurance including hill walking (For great value for money and flexible Travel insurance policies, visit Walking holiday travel insurance)
√ European card (for European travellers)

Spring and early autumn

√ Light clothes for warm, sunny days
√ Warm clothes for coold days and cooler evenings (evenings always cool down a lot in the Serranía de Ronda)
√ Lightweight waterproof jacket for the occasional showers

Summer

√ Hat √ Sun cream
√ Swimwear √ Sun glasses for sensitive eyes
√ Sandals for “afterwalking”
√ Light fleece only if you are staying in the Alto Genal Valley as nights can sometime be a little chilly (very refreshing after the heat of the day!)


Late autumn and winter

√ Warm clothes, ie fleece, thermal tops, etc.. (Even though Andalucía is thought to be warm and sunny all year round, it can get very cold in late autumn/winter especially at higher altitudes such as in the Sierra de las Nieves)
√ Warm hat (to use especially at high altitudes such as in the Sierra de las Nieves)
√ Gloves (same as above)
√ Waterproof jacket
√ Waterproof trousers
√ Light clothes for warm, sunny days, such as T-shirts...

Whatever the season you are walking in the Serranía de Ronda, it is best to use the concept of layering clothing, with base layers such as thermal tops or T-shirts, mid-layers such as fleece tops and outer-layers such as waterproof jackets. Here is a link to an interesting article about Learning to layer clothing.

Cultural spring walking holiday in Andalucia

For lady walkers who enjoy sightseeing, we have designed a special cultural walking holiday in Andalucia for women only for this spring.


As well as 4 guided walks in incredibly diverse scenery and 1 guided tour of the delightful town of Ronda so rich in history, we will take you on a day trip to visit the Acinipo, an old Roman settlement with its well preserved theater and breathtaking panoramic views, and Setenil, a very unusual semi troglodytic white village built in its riverbed rocks.


We believe in not rushing, therefore you will be able to visit at your leisure the many beautiful sights of interest that the Serrania de Ronda has to offer. 


Combining walks, cultural visits and delicious local cuisine, you will have a great insight in the culture and history of this beaufitul part of Andalucia while enjoying a relaxing, stress free holiday. 


Details of this Cultural spring walking holiday in Andalucia are the following:


Extended walking holiday dates:
16th to 23rd May 2011


Holiday type:
Women only cultural walking holiday


Cultural walking holiday prices:
Double occupancy: 708 € (approx. £599)
Single occupancy: 877 € (approx. £752)

Prices include:

- Airport transfer (Malaga airport) and all transport
- Welcome drink 
- 7 nights in luxurious hotel accommodation (single or double occupancy) - 1/2 board (breakfast and dinner),
- 4 guided stunning walks at your own pace in a small friendly group in the Serranía de Ronda, one of the best area for walking in Andalucía.
- 1 guided tour of Old Ronda rich in Moorish history
- 1 sightseeing day to the Acinipo and Setenil.
- The opportunity to treat yourself to relaxing wellbeing therapies on offer for total relaxation.


For further information or to book your Cultural spring walking holiday, do email us now!

Circular walk in the Serranía de Ronda: Júzcar – Alpandeire – Júzcar

Time: 4/5 hours
Ascent: approx. 350 meters - Descent: approx. 450 meters
Distance: approx. 15 km
Walking level: medium
Time of the year: avoid in hot weather as there is no shade
Starting point: village centre of Júzcar, from bar/restaurant Torricheli
Description: 1st half of the walk takes you to the base of the dramatic limestone crags Los Riscos, with great views over the Genal Valley and its white villages and Morocco on clear days. The return takes you down to the river on the old Moorish path, then uphill more gently through cork oak woods and Sweet Chestnut woodland interspersed with short sections of road.


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Turn right on the steep concrete road climbing behind the bar/restaurant Torricheli. At the top, where it meets the main road, take the track on the left signposted “Los Riscos”.


This dirt track soon becomes concreted (in order to avoid the track being washed away by the torrential rain we get in winter to keep these limestone hills accessible to the local shepherds and now walkers since the Junta has just opened a brand new circular path*). The path is lined with Sweet Chestnut trees (the main agriculture in the Genal valley) and a few Cork Oak (the bark is still being harvested for the cork industry). You will also see two other white villages: Pujerra (behind you as you are climbing up and Cartajima in front of you).


After a short climb, you will reach a path and a small white building on your right, and a parking area with an information board and an ancient threshing stone circle (or “era” in Spanish) on your left.


*To start the newly created circular walk called “the path of the 5 threshing stone circles”, take the path on your right hand side sign-posted “Sendero”. This will add another 1 to 1 ½ hour to your walk. For more information on this cute little walk, click on Short circular walk in the Serranía de Ronda.


To proceed with the circular Júzcar – Alpandeire – Júzcar walk, continue straight on on the main dirt track between the car park area and the white building (you can see it disappearing in the distance in front of you), following the base of the limestone crags called Los Riscos and the fence that runs along on the right hand side. Ignore any paths on the left.


This track meanders through olive and almond groves, very pretty in January/February when the almond blossom and the Wide-leaved Irises are out. In spring, watch out for Love-in-the-mist and different varieties of Orchids among the myriad of wild flowers that grow on the edges of the track. If you love birds, you might see Blue Rock Thrushes, Black Wheatears or Griffon Vultures to name just a few.

After another short climb, you will come to a meadow with a small white building and a restored, raised era on the right hand side. Continue straight on, through a makeshift gate (please leave it as you find it – used when livestock is left to graze unattended).


Keep on the main track, still following the base of Los Riscos and the fence on the right hand side, ignoring any paths on the left. After the second makeshift gate, you will have great views opening on the left hand side over Alpandeire (bellow you), the Bajo Genal villages in the distance (Benadalid, Benalauria, Algatocin, Benarrabá) and Morocco on clear days.


Follow the path until you join a tarmac road (MA-7307 continuation of the MA-7302/7301/7303). At this junction, turn left and walk on the road for about 500 meters (in Spring, watch out for Peonies and Blue Bells nestled in the limestone rocks on the left hand edge of the road and in January/February, enjoy the almond blossom on the right hand side of the road). Even though this road is very quiet, do take all the usual necessary road safety precautions.


When you reach a small building on the left hand side of the road, go through the makeshift gate opposite on the right hand side of the road. Then follow the path to the left of the gate, leading away from the field and following the fence round to the left. Follow the track up for about 15 meters keeping an eye on the fence on the left hand side to spot a small makeshift gate. Open the “gate” very carefully so as not to hurt yourself with the barbwire.

Great views again over the Bajo Genal Valley and over another white village, Atajate, the smallest village in Malaga Province, right in front of you. At this makeshift gate, turn immediately left and follow this ancient Moorish footpath down. This path, still cobbled in places, meanders down through thyme, lavender and curry plants, making it a very pleasantly scented path. In spring, watch out for different varieties of Orchids.


Follow the path downhill, crossing 2 makeshift gates until you join a wider dirt track. At this junction, turn left and follow the track up, past ruins and a cute little shrine painted in yellow on the left hand side. When the track joins onto another track, turn left again and follow this main track up, until the village of Alpandeire opens up in front of you.


If instead of a packed lunch, you would rather enjoy delicious Spanish cuisine, you can either eat at La Casa Grande (situated opposite the Chemist or Pharmacia, on the caraterra de Ronda), a gourmet Hotel/Restaurant, which serves fantastic cuisine and also caters for vegetarians (no doubt that their salads are the best in the area!), or El Tapeo if you prefer tapas (they offer a great selection of freshly made tapas – situated on the Avenida de Andalucía). Both are closed on a Monday.

Follow the track down, past a house on the right hand side. At the bottom, you reach a T-junction. Turn right and take the first street on the left to enter the village. Where the streets fork, walk up the street on the left called Calle Posito. Then turn left and walk up round the church to get to the Restaurant La Casa Grande. Or turn left and then take the first street on the right, past a little water feature with gold fish and the village bakery on the left, and turn right onto Avenida de Andalucía to go to El Tapeo which is before the Fray Leopoldo view point.


To get to the start of the walk heading towards Júzcar, go to the Fray Leopoldo view point at the bottom of Avenida de Andalucía and take the first path on the left, behind the view point and right by the house no 35, and keep Left at the house no 53. (Do not go down the path of the Stations of the Cross which bears right). In about 50 m, the path becomes a grassy track and then a steeper cobbled downhill path (the old Moorish Camino). About 5 minutes from the village take the right fork past 2 pillars of an old gate. Continue downhill to the river.
Cross the river and continue following the wide track for about 2 km. There are good views along the ridge of the village of Farajan on the right and Alpandeire on the left.


At the tarmac road, turn right and follow the road for about 500 meters until you see a dirt track on the left hand side. Take this dirt track and continue straight on until you reach a makeshift gate in front of you. Go through the gate and follow the footpath downhill until you reach the tarmac road again. This path is signposted with yellow and white lines on posts by the side of the trail. You will have lovely views over the white village of Júzcar.


At the road, turn left and follow the road for about 100 meters. Watch out carefully for a footpath cutting through the Sweet Chestnut trees on the left hand side. Follow the path downhill until you meet the road again. At the road, turn left and follow the road back to Júzcar for about 1 km.

Description of this circular walk in the Serrania de Ronda provided by Butterfly Adventures. As sometimes waymarks disappear or footpaths change or get fenced off, do bring a map with you to complement this walk description.

Holiday activities and wellbeing therapies on offer in Ronda

How better to make the most of your holiday in the Serranía de Ronda by enjoying extra activities? 

If you need to unwind and use your holiday to fully relax, there is nothing better than enjoying massage, reflexology or shiatsu sessions in the comfort and privacy of your hotel room after a day's walk in beautiful surroundings or a day's sight-seeing in Ronda.

Well-being treatments do complement very well walking holidays or any holidays as they help you relieve pains and stiffness as well as leaving you relaxed and revitalised. They also help you eliminate any stress accumulated through a hectic lifestyle.

If you are looking for a more active holiday, why not go cycling or mountain biking in the Serranía de Ronda? Another fun and energetic way to discover this beautiful part of Andalucía. 

If you feel adventurous and enjoy strong sensations, why not try paragliding or hang gliding tandem flights? Soaring with the majestic Griffon Vultures or gliding at exhilarating speed above stunning countryside a few kilometers outside of Ronda....

Or if you love bird watching, why not let yourself be driven by a specialist who knows where rare and interesting birds are so you can enjoy great sightings of incredible diverse species. 

Ronda is very fortunate as there are many holiday activities and wellbeing therapies on offer. For a detailed list of qualified and experienced therapists and activity professionals we have found in the Serranía de Ronda, click on Ronda wellbeing therapies and holiday activities.

Special offers on women only walking holidays in Andalucía, Spain

We are pleased to be offering a 10% discount on our Women only Spring Walking Holiday - 25th April to 1st May 2011 to our blog readers. To benefit from this walking holiday special offer, please mention the promotional code EBSO01. This special offer is valid until 28th February 2011.

Based just 5 minutes from Ronda in a beautiful riverside hotel, you will be able to experience the best of Andalucia and enjoy a totally carefree, relaxing walking holiday in Spain. Spring is probably the best time to visit this unspoilt part of andalucia where everywhere is lush and ablaze with colours from hundreds of varieties of wild flowers: Sweet-pea, Lupin, Field gladiolus, Periwinkle, Poppy, Love-in-a-mist, Orchid, Iris...

The wallking holiday prices per person for 6 nights/7 days are now:
Half board double occupancy: 590.40 Euros (approx. £508 / 810 USD)
Half board single occupancy: 719.10 Euros (approx. £619 / 987 USD)

Included in the walking holiday Prices:
- Airport transfers from/to Malaga airport and all transport.
- Welcome drink before settling in in your accommodation.
- 6 or 7 nights in luxurious hotel accommodation, double or single occupancy, half board (breakfast & dinners).
- 4 guided stunning walks at your own pace, in a small friendly group, in a beautiful non touristy area of Andalucía - ideal to get away from it all!
- 1 guided tour of Old Ronda rich in Moorish history.
- The opportunity to treat yourself to relaxing wellbeing therapies on offer for total relaxation

Not included in the walking holiday Prices:
- Flights & Insurances (travel & hiking)
- Lunches
- Fees for other activities
- Hotel bar / mini bar

If you would like to book a place on this holiday and benefit from the 10% discount, do email us now to avoid disappointment, as we have a limited number of places. Remember to mention the promotional code EBSO01. Or click on Women only Spring Walking Holiday to find out more about the holiday.

If you wonder why we are running women only holidays, have a look at our earlier post - Women only walking holidays – sexist?

Women only walking holidays in Spain – sexist?

Running women only walking holidays since 2004, we are often asked why women only? And isn't this sexist and discriminatory? To answer these well founded questions, we need to explain how Butterfly Adventures came about.

Nowadays, women travel more and more but not all of them feel comfortable or safe to travel independently, and this is exactly our philosophy - enabling women to travel safely and in a fun way on their own, but within a group of likeminded women.

So in 2003, my husband Ian and I moved to the white village of Cartajima, just a 20 minute drive from Ronda, Andalucía, Spain. It was the ideal location to develop our ideas for specialised holidays aimed at women travelling on their own. Due to my own interest in the local wildlife, fauna and walking, it seemed natural to start women only walking holidays; holidays where women whether widowed, single, divorced or married travelling on their own, can come and enjoy stunning walks, at their own pace, in a safe, comfortable environment, and take the time to get to know this beautiful part of Andalucía, its culture, its people and its history, not to mention its gastronomy.

Our main focus on the walking holidays is on relaxing. So many women lead stressful, hectic lives that holidays should be relaxing and reenergizing - this is our philosophy! Therefore we offer different levels of walking to suit our guests’ needs. No backpacking - airport transfers and all transport included and accommodation in a lovely charming hotel with swimming pool. No starting walking at the crack of dawn – instead have a swim in the sun before enjoying a lovely breakfast and then get ready without rushing. No rush either while walking - walk at your own pace and take the time to enjoy the varied scenery and chat. Lunches mainly taken in typical local restaurants in white villages we walk to - added comfort and a great opportunity to enjoy delicious Andalucian tapas/meals and talk with the locals. We also have on offer numerous well being therapies for total relaxation after walking, provided if requested in the comfort of your hotel room.

Due to the success of the women only walking holidays, we have now added mixed group walking holidays but our main focus is still on women only holidays. Our guests have been exactly the women I had in mind when designing these holidays the only surprise being having a high number of married women wanting to come and walk in a women only group being able to walk at their own rhythm and not having to keep up with their husbands' faster pace!

Our next available women only walking holiday is 25th April - 1st May 2011. For more information, click on our Spain walking holiday package.