Designated a Unesco Biosphere reserve in 1977, the Sierra de Grazalema was declared the first natural park in Andalucia in 1984 and remains one of Spain's most ecologically outstanding areas.
The 51,695ha park is famous for its spectacular rugged limestone landscape of cliffs, gullies, caves and gorges. By far the most impressive gorge the Garganta Verde, with its exceptional griffon vulture colony and rocky walls that tower vertically for 400metres. Andalucia's largest cave system is also here, the Hundidero-Gato with its biggest cavern measuring 4km long and an entrance of 60metres high.
Dotted around the sierra are attractive whitewashed villages, the one ithat gives the park it's name - Grazalema, nestling between two rugged peaks, the Pico del Reloj and the Pico de San Cristóbal.
Around 3,000ha of the park is called an Área de Reserve, with the most fragile ecosystem - Spanish fir forests and black vulture colonies. Conservation measures are stricter than the rest of the park and visits are controlled in terms of dates and numbers. At times when fire risks are greater walks to this area are prohibited For walks in the rest of the park, except for Sendero Garganta Verde, you must go with an authorized Turismo Activo company (details from the information offices listed below). For the rest of the year, you need to obtain permits from the El Bosque information office.
We will happily assist you in securing relevant permits for the walking routes that require them. Please let us know when you make your booking or as soon as possible afterwards.
Information
There is a Centro de Visitantes (visitors' centre) in Cortes de la Frontera (Tel: 952 154 599), with information on geology, flora and fauna of the park.
In El Bosque is the main park office (Tel: 956 727 029), which has maps, walking routes and issues permisos (permits) for walks. The tourist offices in Cadiz (Tel: 956 258 646) and Malaga (Tel: 952 213 445) can also provide information.
In Grazalema there is an information office (Tel: 956 132 225) that has walking maps and can obtain walking permits from El Bosque office for you.
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The 51,695ha park is famous for its spectacular rugged limestone landscape of cliffs, gullies, caves and gorges. By far the most impressive gorge the Garganta Verde, with its exceptional griffon vulture colony and rocky walls that tower vertically for 400metres. Andalucia's largest cave system is also here, the Hundidero-Gato with its biggest cavern measuring 4km long and an entrance of 60metres high.
Around 3,000ha of the park is called an Área de Reserve, with the most fragile ecosystem - Spanish fir forests and black vulture colonies. Conservation measures are stricter than the rest of the park and visits are controlled in terms of dates and numbers. At times when fire risks are greater walks to this area are prohibited For walks in the rest of the park, except for Sendero Garganta Verde, you must go with an authorized Turismo Activo company (details from the information offices listed below). For the rest of the year, you need to obtain permits from the El Bosque information office.
