Jagged
formations of deeply weathered limestone rise sharply above ancient
groves of olives and almonds, flocks of sheep and goats graze the
hillsides, eagles and vultures ride the winds high above. The scenery
seems to change with every turn in the road and it is easy to see
why the last of the 'bandaleros' were able to escape capture in this
dramatic terrain.
Although not particularly high (the highest peak is 1,919 metres
above sea level), the mountain landscape is impressive, a rich tapestry
of profound valleys flanked by dramatic cliff faces, caves etched
into the rocks and bubbling brooks lined with colorful flowers.
The abyss known as the "Gesm" is the third deepest in the world.
For anyone interested in botany and birdlife there are riches indeed.
The Romantic movement found the area a source of much inspiration
and a visit to the town of Ronda became an essential part of any
'grand tour' through Spain. It appealed, too, to the officers of
Gibraltar garrison who would ride up to Ronda to escape the heat below.
The town's lofty position (almost 3,000 feet above sea level)
means that even in mid-summer a cooling breeze often blows across
the town. And although large numbers of visitors flock in from the
resorts of the Costa del Sol, by mid-afternoon the buses are lumbering
back down the hill and the town once again becomes a sleepy market
town - and one of the most beautiful in Europe.
The contrast with the busy beaches of the Mediterranean, less than
three-quarter's of an hour drive to the south from Ronda, could
hardly be greater. Just yards from the town's famous bridge and
bullring (the oldest in the world) are restaurants and bars where
not a word of English is spoken, where the prices are right and
where local folk will be interested by your presence and will
certainly try to engage you in conversation.
To the east and west of the town are the natural parks of the Sierra
de las Nieves (the mountains of the snows) and Grazalema where the possibilities for walking are endless. Many of these (often ancient)
walking routes have recently been waymarked.
Each of the whitewashed
villages in the mountains surrounding Ronda seems to have a character
of its own. The organic, inward-looking houses of these places are
strongly reminiscent of those of the Berber hill farmers who settled
this area during the Moorish period.
Another spectacularly
beautiful mountain village is Gaucín which enjoys sweeping views across the mountains to Gibraltar and the coast to the Rif Mountains of North Africa.
Once a major Roman settlement with a magnificent castle which
dates back to these pre-Arabic times, the centre of the village is
a pretty tangle of narrow, twisting streets, once a haven for brandy
and tobacco smugglers. Today it's a little more civilized, a pleasing
combination of traditional Andaluz and international amenities.
The Ronda Mountains
is an area which really does offer you a taste of that much-touted
'Real Spain' and the area has made remarkably few concessions to mainstream
tourism. There is stacks to see and do in addition to the old mansion
houses and churches of Ronda. You could visit the Pileta cave with
its paleolithic cave art, you can take balloon flight, ride, walk
and visit any number of interesting villages.
And should fancy
a day on the beach, from most of our properties you'll be an hour
or less away from the Mediterranean Sea.
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