The Serranía de Ronda and the Natural Parks of Grazalema, Los Alcornocales and Sierra de las Nieves offer a wide variety of terrain, ranging from green valleys to arid mountains, cork, chestnut and almond forests, olive groves and snow-capped mountains. With beautiful white villages and remote hamlets scattered around the area, it is very difficult to choose, but here are the most beautiful towns and places in the Serranía de Ronda.
Curved south and southeast of Ronda, the Serranía de Ronda may not be the highest or most impressive mountain range in Andalusia, but it is certainly one of the most beautiful. Any of the roads that cross the section between Ronda and the south of the province of Cádiz, Gibraltar or the Costa del Sol make a picturesque route. Cortes de la Frontera, where the Guadiaro and Gaucín valley are located and which looks towards the Genal valley up to the Sierra Crestellina, are the most beautiful enclaves to admire in the Serranía de Ronda.
To the west and southwest of Ronda lie the natural parks of Sierra de Grazalema and Los Alcornocales. There are plenty of possibilities for walking and cycling. More recently, the region has developed almost a dozen ferrates, making it one of the best areas in Spain for fixed protection climbing. If you visit the area and are interested in climbing or another outdoor sport, the Ronda tourist office can provide details of the activities and also maps.
Most beautiful places and towns in the Serranía de Ronda
Los Alcornocales
The area between Cortes de la Frontera and El Colmenar is full of cork oaks. You can enjoy a trip through a desert of half-shaved trees and then cool off with a drink at El Colmenar / Gaucín Station.
Cueva de la Pileta, Benaoján
This natural monument is one of the most striking in the Serranía de Ronda. It is among the most famous in France and northern Spain. 30 minutes from Ronda via Benaoján.
Genal Valley
This spectacular race to Gaucín takes you through a chain of beautiful white villages, such as Atajate, Benadalid, Benalauría, Algatocín and Benarrabá. On a clear day you can see Gibraltar and the mountains of North Africa.
Guadiaro Valley
This tour through impressive landscapes goes to Benaoján, Jimera de Líbar, Cortes de la Frontera and El Colmenar. This route takes you through spectacular and varied postcards for about half a day.
Montejaque – Grazalema – Zahara de la Sierra – Setenil de las Bodegas
It is a relaxing circular route from Ronda through the Grazalema Natural Park. These four white villages are very different from each other and all four can be easily visited in half a day. It is one of the favorite routes of the visitors.
Parauta – Cartajima – Júzcar – Alpandeire
There are several kilometers of distance between these towns, so you will need a car to visit them. Júzcar is the blue town, it became famous in 2011 as the town chosen by Sony for an advertising film about the Smurfs.
Sierra de las Nieves
Leave Ronda on the El Burgo road to Yunquera. There you will find a spectacular setting. This natural park is aptly named as the mountains are covered in snow from November to March.
Villaluenga del Rosario – Benaocaz – Ubrique – Cortes de la Frontera
Another route with an ever-changing landscape. Villaluenga is the highest white town in the province of Cádiz. For its part, Benaocaz has an abandoned town, the Nazarí neighborhood from the 8th century, located on the current settlement.
Virgin of the Hermitage
Drive or walk from the Algeciras road that leaves Ronda and enjoy the best views of Ronda over its ravine. The Arab hermitage carved out of the rock in one of the shoulders is also interesting. It is not usually well known to tourists, but it is worth visiting.
Mr. Henderson’s Way
Park your car in Benaoján Estación and continue along the beautiful walk along the Guadiaro river and the railway line to Algeciras to Jimera de Líbar Estación. You can enjoy a nice lunch and get to know the area. Then take the train back to your car.
There are many other interesting visits that you can do around the Serranía de Ronda. For example, the Roman ruins of Antigua Ronda, Acinipo, the pretty town of El Gastor, La Ruta de los Castaños, or the environments full of chestnut trees around Pujerra and Igualeja.
