Summary
The walk leads along very diverse surfaces: tarmac tracks, dirt tracks, paths and paved pedestrian lanes. It has a very manageable length and a contour of “saw teeth” with a few longish ups and downs.
The Great Málaga Path uses the existing walks of Camino de los Molinos and el Camino Viejo de Ronda to connect the starting and finish point.
The first walk leads through la Hoya del Tajo, a depression situated at the base of Tajo de Ronda, where the Río Guadalevín flows. The walk starts at a rocky outcrop and leads directly north until km 2 where it turns west in order to ascend an escarpment located on the other side of the valley el Puerto de la Muela.
From this point onwards the walk coincides with a traditional “camino” to Benaoján and another to Montejaque (both descend toward the river) but the latter splits off to a railway level crossing (unprotected by barriers) and then the GR-249 take the direction south-west, at km 5.
The GR follows during the next stretch a section of the newly improved Río Guadiaro walk but in order to reach Benaoján the walk takes you up along a pretty path paved in some sections to the Puerto de Ronda. Underneath these grey rocks there is the Hundidero Gato cave system. Before arriving at your destination, the settlement of the Estación, you walk through Benaoján village, where you follow footpaths downhill to reach anew the level of río Guadiaro.
The best
The GR-249 allows the walker explore the Hoya del Tajo, a valley carved out by Río Guadalevín, and its imposing Tajo with the famous Puente Nuevo across the riverbed; this is one of most recognisable image of Andalucía. Los Molinos del Tajo, the traditional gardens and Parque Periurbano de la Dehesa del Mercadillo are gradually left behind on the side of the path.
The itinerary follows Río Guadalevín through the Hoya and then it gets close to water again when Río Guadalcobacín and Guadalevín join to become Guadiaro. Both the fluvial plains and the landscapes are outstanding.
You will pass by very close to the famous Cueva del Gato, however there is no direct approved access from the walk to it, though you can reach it at the end using a PR walk. The mountain section is included in the area of the Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema.
The travertine Tajos de Ronda house two equipped vías ferrata and there are two more in the limestone of Benaoján, plus a climbing school, all this thanks to a very rugged landscape as it should be in las Sierras Béticas.
The area of Estación de Benaoján is characterised by the abundance of flower and olive mills, by its fertile gardens and by the train line Algeciras Bobadilla which passes on the side of Río Guadiaro.
