Get ready for breathtaking landscapes...
ready for landscapes that leave you speechless ? For white villages that look like pictures painted on the mountain? For mountain dishes based on local products? In that case, boot, because our route begins.
The starting point is Ronda, that dream city , which we will gradually leave behind to cross the decorated green thrown up by the Sierra de las Salinas, the Sierra de Hidalga, and above all, the Sierra de las Nieves , which we are in love with. Soon we will enter fully into the Genal Valley , where we will get used to toggling landscapes of limestone rock with holm oak, cork oak and chestnut groves . The former will draw our attention due to their leafiness ; the latter will attract us by the saturation of their trunk, of a red that catches; and the third ones, will dazzle us knowing that the cultivation of its fruits, from which a good part of the area lives, is still carried out in a traditional way.
STOP
Nine viewpoints mark this path: the first that we will find is that of cut yourself off , which warns that the area has been occupied since prehistory, and gives way to the town of the same name. There, the "duties" will be to take you a glass of the local must and taste the typical desserts of the place, of strong moorish tradition like the sweetest almond cheese or "enreaíllo". Or, if you go with your batteries charged, spend an hour exploring its Via Ferrata, with monkey bridge and tibetan bridge on its way to 40 kilometers from the ground.
The Via Ferrata de Atajate: emotion and views
JIMERA DE LIBAR
Yes, we know: we're getting off track. But let us do it for (twice) to give you still more color to the road. If you agree, do not continue on the A369, and turn off towards the MA-8307 (a branch of the previous one) to visit the wonderful nature of Jimera de Líbar, which adjoins the overwhelming **Sierra de Grazalema.**
There, our destination can be two: to begin with, the ** Cabañas de Jimera de Líbar ,** located in Full nature and perfect to spend a few days away from everything between wooden walls, fireplace nights and afternoon walks next to the river. Choose yours from bungalows for two to villas for 15.
The other option that we put on the table to stay is the ** Molino La Flor ,** located in a cinema environment -in which, in fact, already advertisements have even been shot of cars-. Merge with the magic of the place crossing its suspension bridge, rafting on the river, bathing in the lagoon, strolling through La Dehesa... or simply rest in its traditional facilities, which coverage does not arrive.
Last tip: before you go, how about you go to the Pool Cave , a national monument that has exciting prehistoric paintings...?
The lush forest of the Molino La Flor property
BENADALID
We continue our way to Benadalid. There, it is necessary to visit what remains of the castle in the area -of Roman origin and later taken over by the Arabs-, which today, curiously, it is a graveyard.
A few meters from it, a panel tells us about the vicissitudes that happened there Moors and Christians , which have given rise to a Popular party , held at the end of August. Opposite, and on the edge of a pit, there is another beautiful view , and in the town, intricate and steep streets , it is worth approaching slowly church -built in the XV century-.
It is also interesting to visit the alembic , an old distillery converted into museum of popular arts and customs Township. In its restaurant, we can also delight ourselves with Benadalid's own dishes, such as the "malcocinao", a stew based on vegetables grown in the nearby fields.
The centenary Castle of Benadalid
ALGATOCIN
Ready to hit the road again? Well, let's go slowly to Algatocín, enjoying the brutal prospects that the A369 offers us in this section: attached to the mountain on one side and completely open towards mountains and valleys for the other.
Once in town, berber origin -as the network of its streets lets us guess-, we can entertain ourselves looking for the heraldic shields preserved by some houses from the 18th century, a time when Algatocín had around 2,000 inhabitants (now it has around 800) .
But what will undoubtedly amaze us will be the care of its lanes of barred windows , of an immaculate white and full of flowers , which make up the perfect Andalusian postcard . And to finish, a piece of advice: if you take your camera with you, go up to the hermitage , in front of which a beautiful natural panorama opens up.
Algatocín, the most traditional Andalusian postcard
GENALGUACIL
This very unique town is not exactly on the A369, but requires a little detour to achieve it, but believe us: worth get out of the way. At the height of Algatocín, we take the road MA-8305 and follow the directions until we reach an almost northern road, variegated with trees, which will soon begin to be marked out by artworks!
That's right, because since 1994 this small town in the Serranía de Ronda has been combining art and nature in an encounter like no other that brings together creators from all over the world. "The dynamic is simple. The town council is in charge of pay for board and lodging of the artists whose projects have been chosen. In return, the creators leave their works as a legacy in the territory where they were made", they explain from the Consistory.
Nowadays, a walk through the town makes you come across nothing less than 123 exciting works of art on the street, some tender, others ironic, others bombastic, but all (and this is the strange thing) fascinating . And if that was not enough, Genalguacil, in itself, is beautiful: is careful with such care and pride that it seems that the neighbors they were greeting with affection at every step you take And, in fact, they probably are, because on their streets it is impossible not finding an inhabitant to say good morning or even some conversation, a hospitality that is silhouetted against a colorful decoration of plant specimens that would win any gardening contest.
Does everyone have a gardening course in Genalguacil...?
GENAL RIVER FOOTBRIDGES
Since we have deviated, we are going to take the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful trails in the province: which runs along the banks of the Genal river, at the height of Jubrique. To do so, you can park at Venta San Juan (which belongs to the ** campsite of the same name ** ) or nearby if it's high season and you can't find a place.
Once you have reached ** the path **, perfectly signposted, you will see orchards, fields full of animals (pigs, chickens, peacocks...) and, above all, u n wild landscape of fairy tale forests constantly flanked by the Genal River. He himself has so much pool areas as of current flow, and often, to cross it, we will have to climb the catwalks that give the road its name, which adds a extra thrill to an adventure of unforgettable snapshots.
Genal River: pure exuberance
GAUCIN
We return to the A369 road, this time to stop soon: at the Genal Valley viewpoint. From there it is easy to observe the towns of Alpandeire, Fajaran, Jubrique and Genalguacil, the top of the peak Turret and even, on clear days, the Rock of Gibraltar. You can see that this route is pure relaxation, and that it only requires a desire for contemplation. and enjoy!
We will soon arrive in Gaucín, the end of our route, a typical mountain town dramatically hanging from a hillside that authors like Richard Ford (Hispanist), Francis Carter (writer who produced the first guide to the province) or Gerald Brennan (English author). In fact, today there are also several international artists residing on their land **, whose work is, in many cases, visitable.
Here we are mainly interested in Eagle Castle , a Roman fortification that merges with the mountain and is usually surrounded by the flight of these majestic birds. The town also has a complete ** Ethnographic Museum ** and several restaurants based on local products where it is worth stopping. we choose Platero & Co , which serves "rustic new kitchen" on a terrace with beautiful views and exquisite treatment, where the last snapshots of an unforgettable trip.
Gaucin, unforgettable