Sierra de Grazalema

A week of August day trips in Grazalema

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A week of August day trips in Grazalema

In Grazalema we are spoilt for choices between the myriad of places to visit. During a week of August day trips, a selection of the most diverse took me to historical sites, natural cave formations, a shaded woodland walk, botanic garden (El Bosque), rivers, lakes , a museum (Palacio Mondrago, Ronda) and an early morning walk above the village of Grazalema through the Sierra de Endrinal

Even the lightest breeze is appreciated when you are out and about in the sierras during August. Setting off with sun cream, hat and plenty of chilled water, even late into the afternoons the sun shows little desire to lower in the sky.

The brilliant blue skies of August can be relied upon to form a beautiful backdrop to most images with occasional pure white fluffy clouds offering an interesting colour contrast.

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The Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park

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Sierra de Grazalema natural park

The Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park is a spectacular mountain landscape of high limestone peaks, deep valleys, steep cliffs and wooded slopes in the north-eastern corner of Cádiz province, extending into Málaga. The park surrounds Grazalema and several of the region’s famous white villages, with a remarkable variety of landscapes packed into a relatively compact area.

Read about Grazalema village here.

Around 20 peaks rise above 1,000 metres, with El Torreón reaching 1,654 metres (5,426 feet) and forming the highest point in the park. From the higher mountains and passes, views stretch across the surrounding sierras and, on clear days, towards the plains beyond.

The park is particularly rewarding to explore on foot. Its network of paths passes through very different habitats, from shaded riversides and wooded valleys to exposed mountain slopes and limestone cliffs where large raptors nest. Some routes are straightforward walks, while others require more preparation, a good level of fitness or a permit to enter protected areas.

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March in the Sierra de Grazalema

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March in the Sierra de Grazalema

March in the Sierra de Grazalema brings more migratory birds returning back to their breeding grounds, with large groups of Short-toed and Booted Eagles passing through to Central and Northern Spain, and then “our” breeding pairs settling back home.

Short toed eagle in the Sierra de Grazalema

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January wildlife in the Sierra de Grazalema

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January wildlife in the Sierra de Grazalema

January is a great month for watching griffon vultures repairing last year´s nests high on limestone ledges, performing beautifully synchronized flights that are a part of their courtship routines, breeding and incubating their single egg. The parents take turns at sitting on the nest and perform an almost acrobatic change-over at the nest. The cliffs where griffons nest, or “buitreras” in Spanish, are full of activity and interest at this time of the year.

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