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!

La Casa de Piedra, Cortes de la Frontera

This afternoon we had a gentle walk down to La Casa de Piedra (Stone House) below Cortes de la Frontera. The monument is of paleo-christian origin from between the 6th and 7th Centuries and has served as a dwelling, a place of worship even a bar!

On the old stone path to La Casa de Piedra

Carvings from 1850

View east towards the limestone ridge above Benalauria