Walking, History and Culture - in Andalucia, Spain

Andalucia, Southern Spain.

2026 dates probably early to mid October. This past year’s brochure – likely to be similar 2026 October in Andalucia Brochure (PDF)

Walking Tour in the Andalucían regions of Axarquía (eastern Málaga province) and the Serranía de Ronda, Grazalema Natural Park and Sierra de las Nieves, (Western Málaga province). With visits to Granada, Cordoba, Tarifa, Cadiz and Ronda.

We have designed this exciting two week holiday to give you not only time to walk and hike the fabulous hills and mountains and white Moorish villages of the region, but also to really experience Andalucia off the beaten track by visiting some local artisans and seeing how their interesting lives are conducted.

The area is well known for its whitewashed Moorish villages, which often cling to the hillsides; however not so many visitors penetrate the deep interior of La Axarquía and connect with an ancient way of life, as we surely will. At the end of the 14 days, you’ll hve experienced quite a lot of Andalucia, including visiting Granada, Cordoba, Tarifa, Cadiz and Ronda – with hiking in all areas.

Until a few decades ago, the Axarquía region of Andalucía was little known. Then, northern European expatriates discovered a few of the pretty hilltop villages and and started buying up some of the run-down ‘Fincas’ and farmhouses in the area. One such Englishman (Cornish in fact!) is my friend Edward and he has restored a beautiful hamlet of Casitas near the town of Periana. Our tour will be based there for the first 7 nights – with its fine restaurant and swimming pool.

Today, rural tourism comprises a large part of the local economy. However, the area is still breathtakingly beautiful and has not been spoiled by the interest and influx of foreigners.

The main attractions are the area’s dramatic hill and mountain scenery, its unspoiled white washed villages and the strong sweet wine that is made from sun dried grapes. Because of the region’s sub-tropical climate, this is also a region where some of the more tropical fruits, such as mango and kiwi are grown. Olive oil production is also very important in the whole region. Average shade temperatures in May are often above 20C (68F) and the sunshine is beautifully warm.

Our tour will be comprehensive and will include not only wonderful day hikes, but also some very interesting themed rural visits, where we will spend a few hours with interesting local people such as beekeepers, wine producers, Iberian ham curers, goat keepers, muleteers, etc. With them, we will learn a little about the old ways of life in this region and how the Muslims brought many innovative cultural and technical ideas with them when they settled here so many years ago, back in the 8th century. We’ll also learn about their ultimate fate (the re-conquest) some 700 years later and about the Spanish Civil War and how it deeply impacted the people of this remote mountain region.

As per usual, I will be utilising the services of an experienced local guide on this holiday and over the past seven years I have become good friends with Javier Sanchez (first photo) who will be our companion throughout. Like myself, Javier is passionate about discovering the hidden meaning of a landscape and its people and he will share with you what he has shared with me over five or six visits to the region since we first met. I believe that it’s so important to involve local people when exploring any area and with Javier, you will not be disappointed, as he has worked tirelessly over many years to uncover the DNA of the region and what makes its people tick. I have spent many weeks with him over the past few years, exploring and generally allowing him to share with me what is so special in this region. His passion is much like mine in Cornwall!

Like most of our holidays, this will be a fully inclusive tour and apart from the odd coffee and beer, etc – you will not need to put your hand into your pocket that much. All accommodations, meals and activities will be included (apart from visits to The Mezquita in Cordoba and The Alhambra in Granada) and we will enjoy picnic lunches on some hiking days and restaurant lunches on other days. Transport during the tour will be provided and collection and drop off at Malaga airport will be included on the whole. The cost of this 14 night fully inclusive tour (with wine) will be £3,100 per person, with no single room supplement payable (for a change!).

Having completed our first tour there in May 2023 and since then, run another three tours, we can assure you that this is a truly wonderful experience. Please request our fully detailed brochure.