Walking in Andalucia‬‬‬

Flying into Málaga, you’ll be transferred to your base for the next seven nights – Cortijo Rosario. A traditional, whitewashed farmhouse whose pool is wrapped in rolling hills and framed by jutting peaks, this is rural Spain at its most charming. It’s set just outside of Algamitas, a quiet, traditional village that enjoys excellent access to the region’s finest trails. You’ll also be introduced to the superb regional cuisine, with meals prepared from locally grown seasonal produce, matched with Spanish wine. Expect indulgent paella and bold reds.

Stay: Cortijo Rosario (Standard)

Today you’ll acquaint yourself with your immediate surrounds with a guided walk along the trails and paths that branch off from Algamitas. They’ll bring you through a postcard-perfect countryside of olive trees, pretty farmland and rolling hills. As you walk, your leader will bring it all to life with an overview of the region’s rural lifestyle and traditions that are based around the historic production of olive oil. You’ll also pause in the village to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a tapas lunch.

Stay: Cortijo Rosario (Standard)

After breakfast, a private bus will bring you, over the dramatic Pass of the Doves, high into the Grazalema Mountains. It’s the site of Andalucia’s first natural park and is one of Spain’s most impressive regions. Here, a network of cragged gullies, caves and gorges bring you between great limestone cliffs. It’s no surprise that, in 1977, it was declared a UNESCO Biosphere reserve. You’ll end in the charming village of Benaocaz whose traditional houses are painted as white as the winter’s snow-capped peaks.

Stay: Cortijo Rosario (Standard)

Heading out from the Cortijo Rosario, you’ll walk through the Algamitas farmland to reach the abandoned monastery of Caños Santos – the perfect place for your picnic lunch. Dating back to the 17th century, its elaborate façade and stern stone walls are remarkably well preserved. You’ll then follow a riverside track to arrive at the picturesque Setenil de las Bodegas. This delightful village is famous for its white houses; built under a dramatic gorge ledge, they appear to emerge from the very face of the rock. You’ll have some free time to explore before returning home in a private minibus.

Stay: Cortijo Rosario (Standard)

Taking a break from walking, you’ll be transferred to Seville for a day of urban exploration. The Andalucian capital wears its rich history with pride; as one of the first cities to fall to the Moors, its Islamic past lives on in royal residences and the Giralda – a great minaret repurposed as a Renaissance bell tower for the city’s imposingly Gothic, 16th-century cathedral. However, it’s perhaps the Alcázar that best sums up the city’s history. This great complex of palaces and gardens dates back to the Romans, was glorified by the Moorish kings and settled in by Christian rulers. It still houses the royal family to this day. Seville’s sculpted gardens and the colonial riches of its riverside Arenal district also vie for your attention. 

Stay: Cortijo Rosario (Standard)

A short drive will bring you to the El Chorro Gorge where you’ll follow its reservoir, from the Guadalhorce Dam, to the start of the Caminito del Ray. This precipitous path is cut right into the sides of the cliffs, hanging some 100 metres from the river below. First opened by King Alfonso XIII in 1921, it was once known as ‘the most dangerous path in the world’. Thankfully, modern safety standards have opened it up once more, making this a truly exhilarating highlight. After, you’ll have some time to relax in the sun by the reservoir.

Stay: Cortijo Rosario (Standard)

Over your stay at the Coritjo Rosario you won’t have failed to notice El Peñon – a great rocky crag that looms over the farmhouse. At 1,130 metres above sea level, it’s the highest point in the province, offering spectacular views of the region’s villages, hills and farmlands. It also makes for a delightful 11-kilometre loop, with your descent celebrated with drinks at a panoramic terrace.

Stay: Cortijo Rosario (Standard)

On your last day, transfer to the airport for your flight home.