you’ve got blisters.
With safety in mind, you should also carry the following:
hat and sun block
map and compass
Swiss Army Knife or similar
torch and whistle
fully charged mobile phone (even though coverage can be patchy in the mountains)
waterproofs, according to season
fleece or jumper (temperatures can drop rapidly at the top of the higher passes)
first aid kit including antihistamine cream, plasters, bandage, plastic skin for blisters
water purifying tablets
chocolate/sweets or glucose tablets
handheld GPS device (if you have one)
Maps
Under each general section I’ve recommended the best map available for the area, Appendix B includes the full contact details of companies from which you can buy these maps. All of the Spanish retailers will send maps contra reembolso (payment on receipt) to addresses within Spain.
In Andalucía the best places to order maps are LTC in Sevilla (www.ltcideas.es/index.php/mapas) and Mapas y Compañia in Málaga (www.mapasycia.es); in Madrid the best places are La Tienda Verde (www.tiendaverde.es) and Centro Nacional de Información Geográfica (www.cnig.es). In the UK the best place for maps, which can be ordered online, is Stanfords (www.stanfords.co.uk).
Staying safe
When heading off on any walk, always let at least one person know where you’re going and the time at which you expect to return.
Log the following emergency telephone numbers into your mobile:
112 Emergency services general number
062 Guardía Civil (police)
061 Medical emergencies
080 Fire brigade
In addition to the usual precautions you would take, there are a few things to remember when walking in Andalucía:
Water – be aware that in dry years some of the springs that are mentioned in this guide can slow to little more than a trickle or dry up altogether. Always carry plenty of water. I’d also recommend keeping a supply of water purification tablets in your daypack.
Fire – in the dry months the hillsides of Andalucía become a vast tinderbox. Be very careful if you smoke or use a camping stove.
Hunting areas – signs for ‘coto’ or ‘coto privado de caza’ designate an area where hunting is permitted in season and not that you’re entering private property. Cotos are normally marked by a small rectangular sign divided into a white-and-black triangle.
Close all gates – you’ll come across some extraordinary gate-closing devices! They can take time, patience and effort to open and close.
Using this guide
Waymarking for the local network of footpaths
The 40 walks in this guide are divided into seven sections, each covering a different coastal region of Andalucía. For each region there is a mixture of half-day and full-day walks that will introduce you to the most attractive areas of the particular park and lead you to its most interesting villages. The route summary table included as Appendix A will help you select the right routes for your location, timeframe and ability.
The sections begin with a description of the area, including information about its geography, plants and wildlife, climate and culture. This is followed by details of accommodation, tourist information and maps relevant to the walks described in the section.
The information boxes at the start of each walk provide the essential statistics: start point (and finish point if the walk is linear), total distance covered, ascent and descent, grade or rating, and estimated walking time. They also include, where relevant, notes on transport and access, and en route refreshments options (not including springs). The subsequent walk introduction gives you a feel for what any given itinerary involves.
The route description, together with the individual route map, should allow you to follow these walks without difficulty. Places and features on the map are highlighted in bold in the route description to aid navigation. However, you should always carry a compass and, ideally, the recommended map of the area; and a handheld GPS device is always an excellent second point of reference (see ‘GPS tracks’, below).
Water springs have been included in the route descriptions but bear in mind that following periods of drought they may be all but non-existent.
Rating
Walks are graded as follows:
Easy – shorter walks with little height gain
Easy/Medium – mid-length walks with little steep climbing
Medium – mid-length walks with some steep up and downhill sections
Medium/Difficult – longer routes with a number of steep up and downhill sections.
If you’re reasonably fit you should experience no difficulty with any of these routes. For walks classed as Medium/Difficult, the most important thing is to allow plenty of time and take a good supply of water. And remember that what can be an easy walk in cooler weather becomes a much more difficult challenge in the heat. This rating system assumes the sort of weather you’re likely to encounter in winter, spring or autumn in Andalucía.
Time
These timings are based on an average walking pace, without breaks. You’ll soon see if it equates roughly to your own pace, and can then adjust timings accordingly. On all routes you should allow at least an additional hour and a half if you intend to break for food, photography and rest stops.
Definition of terms
The terms used in this guide are intended to be as unambiguous as possible. In walk descriptions, ‘track’ denotes any thoroughfare wide enough to permit vehicle access, and ‘path’ is used to describe any that is wide enough only for pedestrians and animals.
You’ll see references in many walks to ‘GR’ and ‘PR’. GR stands for Gran Recorrido or long-distance footpath; these routes are marked with red and white waymarking. PR stands for Pequeño Recorrido or short distance footpath and these routes are marked with yellow and white waymarking.
