Walking Holidays in Andalucia



		Walking Holidays in Andalucia Walking holidays in Andalucia are much in demand these days, but independently-minded travellers have been touring the dramatic landscapes of Andalucia for many years. In 1832, the American writer Washington Irving wrote these words about his travels in Andalucia. “The ancient kingdom of Granada, which we were about to penetrate, is one of the most mountainous regions of Spain. Vast sierras, or chains of mountains, destitute of shrub or tree, and mottled with variegated marbles and granites, elevate their sunburnt summits against a deep-blue sky; yet in their rugged bosoms lie ingulfed verdant and fertile valleys, where the desert and the garden strive for mastery, and the very rock is, as it were, compelled to yield the fig, the orange, and the citron, and to blossom with the myrtle and the rose.” These days it it is easier than ever to explore this beautiful region on foot. There are many charming rural hotels, country villas or rustic village houses available to stay in depending on where you want to base your walking holiday in Andalucia. Some travellers choose to spend the first week of their holiday in the historic cities such as Granada or Seville, or relaxing on the Costa del Sol, and then to pass their second week walking in Andalucia’s beautiful countryside. Travellers also have the option of using on of the specialist walking tour companies to organise their trip, or to book their own accommodation and plan their walks using some of the excellent guidebooks now available. Apart from the sheer beauty of rural Andalucia, most walkers are drawn by the diverse wildlife and flora and that can be seen during their holiday. Ibex, wild boar, red and fallow deer are among the animals that can be sighted by walkers. Birdwatchers also descend on Andalucia in large numbers every year as the south of Spain is one of the main migratory routes between Europe and Africa. Finally, walkers in Andalucia, especially in the spring, have the pleasure of seeing innumerable wildflowers, many unique to this part of Spain. Which area of Andalucia should you choose for your walking holiday? Justifiably the most popular destination for walkers is the region of Granada described by Washington Irving at the beginning of this article. This diverse and dramatic area offers many possibilities for the walker – from rambles through the lush green valleys of the Alpujarras to testing mountain routes through the Sierra Nevada. This area can easily be combined with a more relaxing stay in the atmospheric city of Granada, perusing the exotic stalls of the old Moorish Albaicin or experiencing the grandeur of the Alhambra. Alternatively, you may wish to explore the Parque Natural de Grazalema, a beautiful area of green rolling hills, gorges and charming white villages, followed perhaps by a stay in Ronda or Antequera. Birdwatchers should note that Grazalema is an excellent place to see the griffon vulture and Bonelli’s eagle. It is also one of the very few places in Europe where the pinsapo fir grows, a survivor from the huge forests of the Tertiary Era. Little known among foreigners but extremely popular with the Spanish is the Parque Natural de Cazorla, in the northern province of Jaén. Cazorla’s breathtaking scenery is well known to Andalucians, who love to spend a long weekend exploring its magnificent countryside. There is wildlife in abundance, notably ibex, deer and wild boar. A rare but exciting sight is the lammergeier, the largest bird of prey in Europe with a wingspan of more than two metres. It is known as quebrantahuesos or ‘bone-smasher’ by the Spanish for its habit of dropping bones from a great height to extract the marrow within. Cazorla is a stunning sight in spring when the wildflowers are at their best. Unique species include the Cazorla violet and Cazorla geranium. Visitors to Cazorla could also follow their walking tour with stays in the wonderful Renaissance towns of Baeza and Ubeda. The areas mentioned above are but a few highlights of the Andalucian countryside. Other possibilities are the wild coastline of Cabo de Gata in Almeria, the Axarquia area to the east of Malaga and the Sierra Blanca behind the international resort of Marbella. Any of these areas could be ideally combined with a few days on the beach! Readers will already have noticed that the best times to take a walking holiday in Andalucia are the spring and autumn. Birdwatching and botanical opportunities are maximised at these times, and the climate is ideal for walking. Summers here are very hot so if you are restricted to July and August, choose shorter trails and take plenty of water! Our recommended book for walkers in Andalucia is Walking in Spain (Lonely Planet) and you can also find many of our favourite books on Andalucia in our Amazon.co.uk store. Have a great holiday!

	More inspiration for your holiday in Andalucia! Hotels in Andalucia Granada, Spain Malaga, Spain Paradores of Spain Seville - A Great City Break! Walking Holidays in Andalucia Sightseeing in Andalucia Family Fun Alhambra Tickets Why holiday in Andalucia? Andalucia Holiday Companies Cheap Flights Car Hire Seville Tourist Information Plus articles on Andalucian Food and Drink! Restaurants in Andalucia Eating and Drinking in Andalucia Eating out in Spain El Tintero Tapas in Antequera


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