 |
| The picturesque village of Algodonales |
30km - 1/2 hour
Leave Ronda
following signs for Sevilla. You soon join the bypass the C339 by
a large roundabout where the railway passes overhead.
The road drops down
steeply into the upper Guadiaro valley. Look how the railway has
to take a huge loop loop to climb around the escarpment and into
Ronda. The road crosses the River Guadiaro.
On the right hand side a minor road leads up to
the escarpment at Ronda la Vieja is a popular place for hand gliding
and paragliding enthusiasts from local clubs. Here we also find
the Roman ruins of Acinipo
with its Roman Theatre. If time allows continue on to visit the
villages of Setenil
where the houses a wedged into the rocks and
Olvera
before returning to Algodonales.
Continue further along
the road which climbs out of the valley.
12 km from Ronda a
minor road on the left hand side ( MA 501 ) signposted Benoajan.
This road winds through another narrow gorge passing and interesting
dam and reservoir. Soon the road has views of the River Guadiarro
valley. Pass the village of Benoajan and Cueva de Los Pileta (Limestone
caves with interesting formations) is a few km further on the right
hand side.
Benoajan itself is worth a visit,
it is famous for its Sausages. More recently many travelers have
discovered the Hotel and Restaurant 'Molino
del Santo' an old watermill hidden away at Estacion Benoajan.
Return to the main road or continue to Cortes de la Frontera and
pick up the Ronda to Gaucin road.
The train journey from Algeciras and
San Roque is interesting. It follows the route of the beautiful
River Guadiaro valley in many location where there are no roads.
The route and the history of the railway is described in the account
'The train in Spain leaves the
plain' by Sue Wolk.
Continue further along the the road
which continues to climb.
At 16 km from Ronda another minor
road on the left hand side is signposted Grazalema.
The road passes through the Grazalema
Natural Park Other interesting villages on this road are Ubrique
and El Bosque. Those heading for Jerez can use this route as far
as Arcos de la Frontera
where we rejoin the Algodonales to Jerez
route.
Continuing soon we reach a 'T' junction
of the main N342. Turn left here for Jerez, Seville and the village
of Algodonales which we soon find on the right hand side.
On the main road it is now straight
on for the Algodonales to Jeréz
route. Those taking the Algodonales to Seville route lookout
for the right turn in 10 km. It is an easy junction to miss.
top of page
|
