Walking In Andalucia

Day 1
Drive 1.5 hrs from Malaga airport to our home for the week, the Cortijo Rosario.

Day 2
A gentle walk through rolling olive groves to the neighbouring village of Villanueva.

Day 3
Today we walk a circuit around the impressive Peñon Crag that looms over the Cortijo Rosario. An optional tapas lunch in the village gives us a chance to soak up the authentic Andalucian atmosphere.

Day 4
We set out from the Cortijo Rosario through Algamitas to the abandoned monastery of Caños Santos where we will have lunch. In the afternoon we follow the Ruta de los Molinos along the river that runs through the cliff-sided village of Setenil. Your tour leader will give you an introductory talk to prepare you for the following day's trip to the city of Seville.

Day 5
The day is free to explore Seville at your own pace. Now the capital of Andalucia, Seville was one of the first conquests of the Moors. After the fall of the Cordoba Caliphate in the 11th century, under whose direction it previously lay, it became the most powerful city in 'Al Andalus'. Near the centre of the city is the evocative 'Giralda', an architectural masterpiece dating from the 12th century. Originally built as a minaret for the central Mosque in Seville, this Mosque was later destroyed, and it is now the bell-tower for the enormous cathedral. Close by is the magnificent 'Alcazar', a complex of palaces dating back from Roman times and later used by both Moorish and Christian rulers. It has fine examples of Moorish and 'Mudejar' architecture, rivalling Granada's 'Alhambra', and stunning sculpted gardens. After the Christian re-conquest Seville became famed as the gateway to the 'New World'. Christopher Columbus negotiated here with Queen Isabella to fund his epic voyage to the Americas, bringing her back untold riches and making Seville one of the wealthiest cities in Europe. We return to the Cortijo.

Day 6
Our private bus will drive us high into the Grazalema Mountains over the Pass of the Doves. We walk up past some fantastic limestone scenery and down into the white Village of Benaocaz.

Day 7
A short drive takes us to the El Chorro Gorge, which offers some of the most spectacular scenery in Spain. Our walk takes us up to a high point from where we can overlook the canyon hundreds of feet below, and ends at the massive Guadalhorce dam and reservoir complex.

Day 8
End Cortijo Rosario.