T things to do.




Walking and Hiking. The Guadiaro valley is a fantastic place to try a variety of activities.
There are lots of signposted walks which crisscross the area. These vary in degree of difficulty and length.
More leisurely walks can be found in either direction alongside the river.

A few views of the spectacular scenery near the Rio Guadiaro at Estación de Cortes.



The same routes offer some excellent Mountain Biking with some energy sapping challenges on the steep rocky slopes.

Road Cyclists can set themselves some serious daily stages with a large number of circular routes of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty that can be planned.

Bird Watching - Birding. The area has such diverse and dramatic scenery, offering many differing habitats, so there are many different species of birds living here. Also there are many migrants who pass through the Guadiaro valley to and from nearby Africa in Spring and Autumn.
Vultures and Eagles are common sights as are many other raptors. Exotic species such as Bee Eaters and Hoopoes can also be found. The river attracts many fishing birds including a number of species of Heron, Kingfishers and Cormorants. There have also been reported sightings of Otters in the river.

A Griffon Vulture.



Anglers will find that the river is well stocked with a number of species of fish including Barbel.

Painting and Photography - With such breathtaking scenery and wildlife. Plus wonderful light. Andalucia is a perfect place for artists and photographers alike. Don't go anywhere without your sketch pad or camera!

Sun Bathing. If soaking up a few of the sun's rays is your thing, the beaches of the Costa del Sol are less than an hours drive away. If you fancy spending a day on the beach by the Mediterranean Sea, some of the quietest, cleanest and longest beaches can be found at San Luis de Sabinillas.

Golfers will find a number of excellent courses in this area including the world famous Valderama.

The Playa at San Luis de Sabinillas.



A little further down the coast is Gibraltar. Around 90 minutes drive. The best place for duty free goods. (Bring your passports and a few extra £'s as the exchange rate in shops and restaurants for Euro's is very poor here)
You can take a cable car ride, or a taxi tour up the rock and visit the apes plus the amazing St. Michael's caves. With huge caverns full of stalactites and stalagmites.



A Barbary Ape.



Gibraltar is steeped in history. With a number of military monuments, statues and museums.
For the ladies the High Street is full of shops including Marks and Spencers.
If you've ever wanted to see Dolphins and Whales in their natural environment, you can take boat trips. Swimming with Dolphins can also be done a little further down the coast at Tarifa. Where the Atlantic beaches offer Wind Surfing, Kite Surfing and Surf Boarding.

Visit Africa. From Tarifa you can catch a Jetfoil and be in Tangiers Morocco in 35 minutes!

Train Journeys - There is a small railway station at Estación de Cortes.
Trains can be caught up and down the valley.
You can walk up the river to a nearby village, eat in a restaurant, then catch the train back!
Longer journeys across Andalucia can be planned. You can get to Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada and Malaga by catching connecting trains.

You can find a timetable on the RENFE website. Look for Cortes de la Frontera on the Granada - Algeciras line.

Pleasant Drives - There are many lovely drives through the mountains. Trips to Grazalema, Ubrique (leather goods), and the Genal Valley villages are all worth planning. A beautiful circular drive through the Alcornocales Cork Oak forest is highly recommended coming back via the pretty white washed pueblo of Gaucín.

Eating and Drinking - One of the best reasons to visit Spain! If you don't want to cook on the fantastic barbecue at the farmhouse all the time. The local restaurantes and tapas bars offer some excellent local cuisine and fantastic Spanish wines, all at very reasonable prices.

We're not sure how your going to fit all these activities into your holiday.
Perhaps you should book for a month :-) or come back next year for another visit to El Chopo Banda.