The Andalucian Coast to Coast Walk

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Guidebook to the Peaks of the Balkans Trail, a 192km trek through Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo. The route, which can comfortably be completed in less than a fortnight, is waymarked and covers terrain between 670m and 2300m in altitude, taking in remote valleys, dramatic mountain passes, stunning scenery and villages untouched by time.

Cicerone says

Devised with the aim of linking the two great seas that cradle Andalucía, the Andalucian Coast to Coast Walk crosses the heart of southern Spain, from the small Mediterranean village of Maro to Bolonia beach on the Atlantic seaboard, a day’s walk from the bustling port of Tarifa. A village-to-village walk, the 416km trail follows the Penibetic mountain range across the provinces of Málaga, Granada and Cádiz, passing through six beautiful Natural Parks and visiting some of the region’s most picturesque and characterful towns and villages.

This guide presents the waymarked route in 21 day stages, each with clear route description and mapping and notes on the villages and other local points of interest. You’ll find all the practical information needed to plan and execute a successful trip, with advice on when to go, transport, accommodation and food. Useful contacts and a Spanish-English glossary can be found in the appendices.

Boasting magnificent mountain scenery, charming villages and a rich and fascinating history, it is little surprise that Andalucía has long been popular with visitors. The Andalucian Coast to Coast Walk showcases the vibrant culture and enchanting landscapes for which the region is famed: it takes in mountain views and dramatic gorges, flower-strewn valleys and cultivated fruit groves, with highlights including Moorish Ronda, Roman ruins at Bolonia and the traditional ‘pueblos blancos’ (white villages)

Our Verdict

For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers.

We have used them countless times and they’ve always provided excellent insight and knowledge that you only get through experience, giving you the edge to make your trip a success and more enjoyable too.

If you’re a gram counter you can easily remove sections of the book to take with you making your own ultra-lightweight guidebook with only the essential sections that you require.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Seasons: Andalucía’s mild winter climate means that this is a region that is suited to year-round walking, apart from July and August when temperatures are generally too hot for comfortable hiking.
• Centres: Frigiliana, Cómpeta, Alcaucín, Riogordo, Villanueva de la Concepción, El Chorro, Carratraca, El Burgo, Ronda, Montejaque, Cortes de la Frontera, Jimena de la Frontera, Castillo de Castellar, Los Barrios, Tarifa
• Difficulty: The route is within the capabilities of anyone who is reasonably fit and walks on a regular basis. Stages vary in length from 14km to 27km, so all can be comfortably covered in a day: most are graded Medium-Medium Difficult, with just a couple graded Difficult due to length
• Must See: Some of Andalucía’s most beautiful mountain villages, including Ronda, Frigiliana, Tarifa and El Burgo; Arab and Roman paths; high mountains; ocean views; great food and accommodation; six Natural parks; fascinating historical sites of Roman and Moorish origin

Specifications

• Edition: First
• Number of pages: 216
• Size: 17.2 x 11.6 x 1.3cm
• Weighs 260g

Contents

Introduction
The Andalucían Coast to Coast Walk: an overview
Plants and wildlife
Andalucía: the historical context
Getting there
When to go
Accommodation
Eating out in southern Spain
Language
Money
Communications
What to take
Maps
Staying safe
Using this guide
The route
Day 1 Maro to Frigiliana
Day 2 Frigiliana to Cómpeta
Day 3 Cómpeta to Sedella
Day 4 Sedella to Alcaucín
Day 5 Alcaucín to Ventas de Zafarraya
Day 6 Ventas de Zafarraya to Riogordo
Day 7 Riogordo to Villanueva de Cauche
Day 8 Villanueva de Cauche to Villanueva de la Concepción
Day 9 Villanueva de la Concepción to Valle de Abdalajís
Day 10 Valle de Abdalajís to Carratraca via El Chorro
Day 11 Carratraca to El Burgo
Day 12 El Burgo to Ronda
Day 13 Ronda to Montejaque
Day 14 Montejaque to Cortes de la Frontera
Day 15 Cortes de la Frontera to El Colmenar
Day 16 El Colmenar to Jimena de la Frontera
Day 17 Jimena de la Frontera to Castillo de Castellar
Day 18 Castillo de Castellar to Los Barrios
Day 19 Los Barrios to El Pelayo
Day 20 El Pelayo to Tarifa
Day 21 Tarifa to Bolonia

Appendix A Useful contacts
Appendix B Glossary
Appendix C Further reading