Rio Hozgarganta to Castellar de la Frontera

Yesterday, we walked the 16km route from the Rio Hozgarganta to the fortressed village of Castellar de la Frontera and back; on the way we visited a Roman-era wine press and' hidden away amidst the cork oak forest, an ancient burial site. After a chilly start it soon warmed up to a pleasant, mostly sunny, 17C. The walk passes through (harvested) cotton fields, alongside abandoned farms, then climbs up the stone-built Roman road (still marked as driveable on some maps!) until you reach the atmospheric walled village of Castellar de la Frontera and its Moorish fortress.

View towards Sierra del Hacho and Sierra Bermeja

Castellar fortifications

More of the castle

The Guadarranque reservoir

Ancient tomb

El Hacho, Gaucin

On Sunday 22nd December we walked to the summit of El Hacho via the less steep northern route returning down the more precipitous southern path.

View to the Genal valley; 'God's thumb' showing on the side of  El Hacho

Towards the Sierra de Libar and Cortes de la Frontera

Looking back to the lower peak and the Alcornocales

Gaucin from the summit

At the summit

Rio Guadiaro, Estacion de Cortes

This morning we had a gentle walk along the Rio Guadiaro at Estacion de Cortes. Leaves are finally falling giving things a more autumnal look.

Rio Guadiaro

An old well and cattle trough

View to the Sierra de Libar

Persimmon tree

La Pilas, Algatocin

Yesterday morning we walked a short circular route, 7.5km, from Algatocin village following, in part, the old Ronda road. It was a lovely, warm winter's day.

On the stone path up from Algatocin

Algatocin village

The watering stop on the old Ronda road

Looking towards the Sierra de las Nieves

Ancient cattle trough

Mr Henderson's Railway, Benaojan-Jimera de Libar

This morning we walked the gentle 2hr route that follows the path ruinning alongside the river/railway from Benaojan to Jimera de Libar. By lunchtime the temperature had climbed to a balmy 16C but as we set off from Estacion de Benaojan it was a chilly 4C with frost on the ground!

Clearly visible frost!

La Umbria, Gaucin

Yesterday morning we had a lovely walk through the cork and sweet chestnut woods; the chestnut trees are looking wonderful as the leaves turn to their autumnal best......

Castellar de la Frontera

Yesterday, Friday 22 November, we walked the old, cobbled access road to Castellar de la Frontera. Starting just off the A-369 Ronda-Algeciras road, the 4hr return walk took us through rolling wooded farmland, up the cobbled path and onto the final asphalted section to Castellar village and its impressive castle. On the way we had a look at the remains of a Visigothic wine press dating back some 1500yrs.

Some photos to prove that it's not always sunny when we walk (though it didn't rain and it was a quite pleasant 17C!).

Starting the walk through farmland and cotton fields

A rest at the top of the cobbled path

In Castellar, looking NE towards Gaucin

A quick bite to eat before the return; Gibraltar in background

Cerro del Galgo, near San Martin de Tesorillo

This morning a group of us walked a 4hr circular route up the Cerro del Galgo hill near San Martin de Tesorillo. After a fairly cool start, it was just 6C at 0900hrs, it soon warmed up to a lovely, sunny 18C.

Beginning the climb

Resting at the top of the first hill

Gaucin and the view north

Thistle seed heads

Camino de Avedin-Jarraqueque, Gaucin

As the stunning November weather continues, sunny and 24C today, we took a short walk along the Camino de Avedin and up through the cork/pine woods of the Jarraqueque estate where there were lots of butterflies on the wing.

Sierra Bermeja, Gibraltar and Morocco from Jarraqueque

Gaucin castle from the north-east

La Umbria, Gaucin

A walk through the mixed cork, sweet chestnut and pine forest just outside Gaucin on a lovely November morning with very little wind and lots of warm sunshine. Great views towards Cortes de la Frontera and from the ridge back down towards Gaucin castle.

Sierra Crestellina, Casares

This morning we walked a 2.5hr circular route starting just outside Casares village, climbing a steep rocky slope up to a mirador or viewpoint, then parallel below the ridge of Sierra Crestellina before dropping down through pine woods and along an unsurfaced track back to the road and the start. As yesterday, the weather was wonderful reaching a summery 24C.

Casares from the climb up to the mirador

View from the mirador

Heading towards the eastern peak of Sierra Crestellina

On the descent looking back to Sierra Crestellina

Sierra Espartina, the Smugglers' Trail

This morning I took Maria from Barcelona on a walk along the Smugglers' Trail just outside Gaucin. The weather was fantastic as the cold northerly winds of the past couple of days abated to leave us with clear blue skies and temperatures up to 26C, not bad for November! We were surrounded by the wonderful aroma of fresh pine and this was added to as we brushed by both wild Thyme and wild Rosemary.

El Hacho and Gaucin from the Smugglers' Trail

Climbing one of the few 'uphill' sections

View south to Gibraltar and Morocco

Gaucin, Genalguacil and the Sierra Bermeja

La Umbria, Gaucin

A morning walk through the mixed woods of La Umbria. A chilly start with a fresh N wind and enough light misty drizzle for a while to produce a rainbow.but it soon warmed up and reached 23C by lunchtime.

La Garganta de Las Palas, Gaucin

This morning a group of us walked down through the cork oak forest to the stream bed of the Arroyo de Las Palas, a 2.5hr walk. It was quite chilly in the fresh north wind as we started at 0900hrs but it had warmed up quite nicely by the time we'd climbed back to the village through the shade of the cork groves.

Starting out

View north to Salitre

Las Pallas stream bed - still dry

A quick fuel stop!