Itinerary
We will pass through a total of 10 wooden gates (locally known as angarillas) that we must remember to close to prevent the cattle from crossing from one ranch to another. We should also have in mind, specially in the rainy seasons, that the track can be a bit uncomfortable to walk through due to the sticky mud in the Dehesa de Jimera and the rest of clayey trails of this section. Also be careful when crossing the different fords, as the river levels can be high because of the rain. Please do not disturb the livestock that graze in the field, specially the cattle. Although cows are gentle animals, they are easily enraged when bothered and may charge at you; should we find any in the middle of the track, we should best make a detour and resume the trail further on. The puente de los Alemanes (Bridge of the Germans), which is 60 metres high, does not currently have any security fences, so we should take precautions, specially if we want to look over the bridge to see the bottomless abyss below. The descent towards the charco del Moro is very steep and slippery, so it is recommendable to use alpenstocks. Up to the scattered houses of Siete Pilas (Benalauría), our track coincides with the itinerary of the GR-249, Gran Senda de Málaga (Great Track of Málaga). As with the first section of the track, Jimera de Líbar, Cañada del Real Tesoro (Estación de Cortes) and El Colmenar (Estación de Gaucín) are all connected by the Algeciras-Ronda railway, which allows us to combine both sections. ADIF-RENFE Information number: 902320320.
Summary
We will follow the course of the river Guadiaro along this section of the track, which will take us from Jimera de Líbar to El Colmenar (also known as Estación de Gaucín). The latter belongs to the town of Cortes de la Frontera. Most of our journey runs along the left river bank, through meadows, woodland and farmlands that stretch over the inter-stream ridge that separates us from the Valle del Genal (Valle of the Genal). A succession of medium-height mountain ranges dominate the fields, such as the sierras del Conio, Benadalid, Benalauría, del Fraile and del Hacho. On the other side we will always see the grey limestone of the macizo de Líbar (massif of Líbar), which is the most eastern area of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and runs parallel to the river Guadiaro. Only at the end of this section of the track, when we get to the narrow cañón de las Buitreras (canyon of las Buitreras), a protected area and Natural Monument in Andalusia, will we cross to the opposite river bank to finish our journey. We can also choose to take the detour of the Gran Senda de la Serranía de Ronda (Great Track of the Serranía de Ronda), that will take us from the Laguna Honda, near the town of Cañada del Real Tesoro and back to the main route through the Pasada del Bujeo del Álamo.
The best
GR-141 Gran Senda de la Serranía de Ronda is a circular trail composed of 6 separate routes along a large part of the Serranía de Ronda.
It is perfectly well known that you will enjoy unforgettable landscapes exploring the region off-road. Unlike other regions with a gentler orography, this fact becomes especially true in the Serranía de Ronda because modern roads were not built, for technical reasons, along ancient paths which used to link different villages. Thus an unexplored world with stories and tales, fountains, abandoned alquerias (old farmhouses), mills and cortijos (typical Andalucian country houses) is out there awaiting a doughty explorer to discover it. You will need to park your car, put your hiking boots on and follow the route. The Gran Senda de la Serranía de Ronda is waiting for you.
You will not feel alone at any time as the trail goes through most of the small villages in the Serranía where you can have a well-deserved rest in bars and restaurants, buy food for the hike and even stay overnight in a cottage or a small hotel.
