Itinerary
The Alternative Route starts at kilometre 5.7 of Stage 24 of the Great Málaga Path, between Ronda and Benaoján. More precisely, in the area known as Hoyo de Tabares, near La Indiana, which is your reference point. It runs through the mountains of the Sierras de Líbar and the municipalities of Ronda, Montejaque, Benaoján, Cortes de la Frontera, Benalauría and Benarrabá. The Plains of La Escribana, in Genalguacil, are the finishing point after a total of 52.1 kilometres.
The route takes a south-westerly heading, through the Sierras de Líbar mountain ranges and also during the middle section along the Guadiaro valley as far as Las Buitreras. From Carboneras Gorge, it then takes a slightly more easterly course, climbing up to El Espino pass, from where it joins the River Genal valley. Passing through the town of Benarrabá, it then links up with the river and Stage 27 of the GR 249 at kilometre 9.5.
Summary
The first stage has a predominantly south-westerly course and climbs to an altitude of 740 metres in La Escarihuela area, with a significant difference in elevation between the start and finish. One can distinguish two vastly contrasting landscapes, each accounting for half of the route. The first is located in the Olive groves of La Estacá; with rainfed crops, wheat, chickpeas, sunflowers and safflowers on the slopes of the clayey hills of the Grande and La Fresneda estates. The second is that of the mountain ranges formed of Bética limestone, with excellent examples of karst formations.
The municipal boundary between Ronda and Montejaque is crossed at kilometer 2.2, just at the meeting point of the north-eastern corner of that of Benaoján, which the route does not enter. It does, however, travel within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. The track along which the long-distance footpath runs along, forms the boundary of the protected area, parallel to the Algeciras to Bobadilla railway line.
The best
The first Stage has a predominantly southwest direction and ascends to an altitude of 740 meters in the Escarihuela area, with a significant difference in elevation between the start and the finish. There are two completely opposite landscapes that each represent half of the route, located in the olive groves of Estacá; that of rainfed crops, wheat, chickpeas, sunflowers and safflowers on the clay hills of the Grande and Fresneda farmhouses with the ascent ramps; and that of the Betic limestone mountains of the second part, with an excellent representation of karstic formations.
The change of municipal term between Ronda and Montejaque also occurs at kilometer 2.2, just where the northeast corner of the municipality of Benaoján arrives, which it does not cross. The entire route, on the other hand, runs within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, whose limit is precisely on the lane along which the parent Long-Distance Path runs, parallel to the Algeciras Bobadilla railway line.