Sierras to Sea Adventure in Andalucia

Meet your host on arrival at Malaga Airport and be whisked off through some gorgeous scenery en route to your base for the first half of the trip. Ronda is a magnificent mountain-top town, dating back to Moorish times and has inspired writers and artists over the years, from Federico García Lorca - a famous Spanish poet - to Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles who spent summers in Ronda's old-town and wrote extensively about the area's beauty and culture. Check into your hotel and catch up with your guide for a chat over the adventure to come. Head out for a stroll around town to get your bearings and get a feel for Ronda's charms before a welcome dinner in a local restaurant.

Kick things of in style as the adventure gets underway, driving 45 minutes outside of Ronda through lovely Andalucian scenery to reach the trailhead of one of the most iconic hikes in Spain. The Caminito del Rey is a notorious route, once dubbed 'The Most Dangerous Hike in the World' with crumbling trails and very little protection against the steep drops below. Of course, since we are taking you here, this is very much no longer the case. In 2015, a multi-million Euro, 3-year long project to restore the Caminito del Rey was completed, with a new, highly safe and secure network of trails and boardwalks cutting through the El Chorro gorge high above the Rio Guadalhorce. You'll be fixed up with a safety helmet to protect against rockfall from above and set off along a series of trails through woodland & along the walkways now firmly secured to the cliff face on the steep sides of the gorge. The environment is incredible, with the gorge becoming so narrow at points you can nearly touch the other side, and a several hundred metre drop to peer over down to the river on the most exposed sections. Head back to Ronda later in the afternoon for some downtime to stroll around the town and grab a sundowner before a free evening exploring the myriad restaurants here with some tips from your host. One of Andalucia's greatest cultural exports is flamenco, and Ronda has plenty of spots you can watch this art form in one of it's spiritual homes. The Casino de Ronda is a good option to try, with performances on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for €20 - you'll pay this locally.

*It's good to be aware that the Caminito del Rey is a very popular trek which can get crowded at times. We operate this trip outside of the peak school holidays, so numbers will be lower during the dates this trip runs.

Tuck into breakfast in Ronda before you head off into the heart of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park aiming for the the village of Zahara de la Sierra, one of Andalucia's most stunning villages spectacularly situated on a mountainside overlooking the valley and lake below. Zahara de la Sierra is the gateway to the Garganta del Verde - The Green Ravine, a hidden canyon 400m deep of walls covered in lush vegetation that inspired the canyon's name. The canyon is home to a network of natural pools that create an amazing natural adventure playground. After half an hour's hike into the canyon you'll reach the the Cueva de la Ermita, an impressive vault excavated in the rock. From here you'll journey deeper into the cnayon between walls of more than 400 meters where natural slides await into the crystal clear, fresh waters. There are several rappels to tackle - your experienced canyoning guides are there to support you through any tricky spots, and there are several chances for epic pool jumps. Exiting the canyong after a wild few hours, you'll dry off and head for a late-lunch Spanish style in a nearby village, with a chance to stroll around and soak up the iconic Andalucian scene of whitewashed houses against a beautiful landscape backdrop. Head back to Ronda where the evening is free for you to explore again with your fellow adventurers after an epic day.

Bid farewell to your Ronda base after breakfast today - it's time to head away from Andalucia's canyons and villages and out into the wide open Sierras today. You'll be tackling the Pinsapar Trail - a cracking half-day hike through a biosphere reserve. You'll start with a gradual ascent, eventually reaching the top of a ridge with views across to the dramatic peak of San Cristobal, the craggy buttresses of El Torreón, and classic white Andalucian towns nestled in the swathes of green forest below. Take in the views before continuing along the ridge, descending into a dense forest home to a unique Spanish fir called pinsapo that can only found here and in the Moroccan Rif and which played a key role in this area being made a biosphere reserve. and the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. In places the forest is so thick that you'll notice the limited light filtering through the dense canopy, creating a unique and tranquil atmosphere and a welcome shade from the heat on June and September trips. You'll tuck into a leisurely picnic lunch halfway through and as the hike winds up after 5 hours or so, you'll settle into the van a bid farewell to the sierras as you hit the road for 2.5hrs to reach the Mediterranean coast. Arriving at your boutique hotel in Conil de la Frontera, a small but vibrant beach town on the Costa de la Luz along the coast from Cadiz. Settle into a restaurant nearby for dinner and to slip into the laid back Andalucian beach vibes found here.

Grab breakfast and squeeze in some beach time and a swim in the sea this morning before heading a short way up the coast to the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park. You'll be hopping into a kayak to explore the coast here; depending on sea conditions you'll either kayak out into the bay to the island that houses the historic Sancti Petri Castle, or if the sea is too choppy you'll explore the protected network of the Sancti Petri marshes. Tuck into a picnic lunch on the beach and grab a swim in the Mediterranean. Later in the afternoon you'll head to a sweet wine cellar in the cute town of Chiclana de la Frontera to taste the renowned wines of Andalusia, including those from the sherry-producing regions near Jerez de la Frontera. Back at the hotel, enjoy a free evening with your pick of the local restaurants and beach bars to while away the evening.

Hop on two wheels today to explore a stunning stretch of the Costa de la Luz. The Trafalgar Lighthouse route starts at Zahara de los Atunes and winds you along the glistening blue coastline, cutting in land through sections of pine trees, passing dramatic cliffs en route to the iconic Trafalgar Lighthouse and the stunning Playa de los Caños de Meca. The going is mostly flat throughout,, with a small bit of elevation gain and loss to cover in total. Enjoy another scenic picnic part way along the route before finishing up the circular route at the beautiful beach of Zahara de los Atunes. Soak up the expanse of golden sands here and grab a swim in the Mediterranean. Head back to the hotel in the mid-afternoon for some downtime before heading out to celebrate the end of an epic adventure in style as your host takes you to a tavern to tuck into a traditional Andalucian dinner.

The adventure comes to an end today as your host takes you back to Malaga Airport. It's a 2.5 hours drive, so you shouldn't book any flights departing before 1pm. The Cadiz coastline is a cracking place to add on some bonus time after the trip to explore Andalucia further, or simply laze on the beach for a few more days.