Route: Ronda Old Town
Area: Andalucia, Spain
Date of walk: 8th May 2018
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 4.6 miles
Ascent: 500 feet
Weather: Sunny
We’ve visited Ronda before, but not for many years, and were keen to return. The town sits at the top of a steep gorge in a very dramatic position and we still had vivid memories from our last visit
Today was the first day of our short walking holiday in Spain and much of it had been spent travelling, but there remained time for a late afternoon walk. This is the perfect time of day to visit Ronda, since most of the tourists from the coast, who arrive here in their busloads, have left by then
We decided to follow a recommended route today – there are so many narrow streets in the old town that it’s easy to end up walking round in circles and missing some of the spectacular sights. Our guide today was the excellent book ‘Walking the Mountains of Ronda and Grazalema‘ by Guy Hunter-Watts, published by Cicerone
Having found a parking space a little way out of the old town we made our way to the start of the walk, and set off along the route recommended in the walking guide. There was no time to visit the individual buildings which we passed – this would have turned the walk into a 4 or 5 hour one, and we had insufficient time for that. I won’t describe in detail the route which we took, save to say that there was a new surprise around every corner and the walk was packed full of interest, ranging from spectacular views across the Ronda Gorge to intimate scenes in the beautiful back streets…
Click on the icon below for the route map
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The start of the walk as we enter the Alameda Gardens, consisting of 5 promenades and dating back to the end of the 18th century
Spectacular views from the balconies at the end of the promenades...
We follow another of the tree lined avenues back into the town
We pass by a fountain in the Plaza del Socorro
Views out to the surrounding hills...
We continue through the streets of the old town towards the Jardines de Cuenca
From the gardens, a view of the Puente Nuevo, spanning the 400 foot deep El Tajo gorge which divides the town. Work was started in 1759 and took 34 years to complete
Looking across the gorge...
...and out to the surrounding countryside
Puente Viejo, the oldest of the 3 bridges across the gorge, built in 1616 - we cross this as we leave the gardens
View along El Tajo gorge from Puente Viejo, with the Guadalevín River below
Looking along to the Iglesia del Espíritu Santo, which we'll pass by later in the walk
Iglesia de Padre Jesús from the bridge
We detour briefly to the Arab Baths, a reminder that the Moors of Spain were Muslim
We climb the steps up to the Puerta de la Cijara, and this will take us to the castle walls
Iglesia del Espíritu Santo from the walls
Looking back to the town from the walls
We follow a partly unprotected path along the walls, with wonderful views out into the countryside...
...and back into the town
Iglesia de Padre Jesús again in the centre of the picture
More views out of the town as we head towards Iglesia del Espíritu Santo
We pass by the old church - construction was started in 1485 and finished 20 years later
Looking back to Iglesia del Espíritu Santo as we reach the far point of the walk and head back into the old town....
We stroll through the ancient streets...
Views of the cliffs on which Ronda stands
A few street scenes...
We cross El Tajo gorge via Puente Nuevo - the bridge which it replaced collapsed in 1741 resulting in the death of 50 people
Looking the other way across the gorge
Back to the Alameda Gardens and the end of a fantastic walk
