Tours in Casares

Province of Málaga · Andalusia

Tours in Casares

The white village on the cliff serves as the starting point for 24 hikes through cork oak forests, limestone mountains, river valleys, and Roman ruins, between the Costa del Sol and the Serranía de Ronda.

24Described Hikes
1.9–17.9 kmfrom a short city loop to a day hike
162 km²the municipality’s area
1,452 meters above sea levelHighest peak, Los Reales

The Landscape

Three Landscapes Meet

Casares is located where the Strait of Gibraltar, the mountains of the Serranía de Ronda, and the coast meet. Much of the municipality is protected natural territory. The village itself consists of white Moorish houses nestled against an Arab fortress atop the cliff, and the site has been inhabited since prehistoric times.

The surrounding mountains are very diverse: reddish volcanic rock to the east, gray limestone to the north and south, and lush river plains to the west.

Sierra Bermeja

A massif of reddish peridotite. Pinsapo, a noble fir found only in this corner of Spain, grows here.

Sierra Crestellina

Limestone cliffs just north of the city and a protected nature area. Known for its colony of griffon vultures.

Monte del Duque

A mixture of limestone and peridotite. Part of the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas.

Sierra de la Utrera

A labyrinthine karst landscape of limestone, featuring gorges, sulfur baths, and Europe’s southernmost karst formation.

Genal and Guadiaro

The river valleys in the west, with their citrus plantations, orchards, and tamarisk forests.

Overview Map

Where the tours start

More than half of the tours start in downtown Casares. The others start a short distance away and require a car or taxi.

Sierra Bermeja Sierra Crestellina Sierra de la Utrera Guadiaro Genal Middelhavet A-377 MA-8300 Estepona Manilva Secadero S. M. del Tesorillo Gaucín Casares Lacipo Baños de la Hedionda Pasada del Pino Los Reales 1452 A B C D E F

  • A
    Casares Town CenterPlaza de España, Los Ponys, and the road above town. Routes 1, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, 21, 23, and 24.
  • B
    Sierra CrestellinaNear Restaurante Laura, north of town. Routes 7 and 22.
  • C
    La AcedíaOn MA-8300, about 4 km east of town. Hike 20.
  • D
    Sierra BermejaMountain cabin at the top of the mountain road, about a 34-km drive. Hike 18.
  • E
    Sierra de la UtreraAlong the A-377 south of the city, an 8–10 km drive. Hikes 2, 3, 6, 9, and 15.
  • F
    Genal ValleyAlong the A-377 west of town, about a 6-km drive. Hikes 5 and 16.

The map is schematic and not to scale. Use the hike descriptions with maps (PDF), GPS tracks, or topographic maps when hiking.

The Trips

24 tours, organized by area

Distance and elevation gain have been converted from miles and feet in Casares Walks. Each hike includes a link to the original hike description with a detailed map. The hikes marked in green and white follow the municipality’s own marked trails.

Show:




24 trips

Before You Go

Practical information

October through May is the best time to visit for most people. In the summer, temperatures often exceed 30 °C, and it mostly rains from November through March.

Climate

  • Winter: 15–20 °C during the day, but cold nights.
  • Summer: hot and dry, often above 30 °C.
  • Rain: Mostly from November through March. After heavy rain, some river crossings may become impassable.

Equipment

  • Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support and good traction.
  • Rain gear in the winter and layered clothing, especially at higher elevations.
  • Poles on steep ascents and descents.
  • Plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat.
  • Maps and GPS.

Maps and Markings

  • The municipality’s trails are marked in green and white.
  • Other trails use yellow, blue, or red-and-white markings, or cairns.
  • Topographic map: MTN50 Sheet 1071 Jimena de la Frontera (1:50,000), or the four MTN25 sheets (1:25,000).
  • Coordinates in WGS84, UTM projection.

Access

  • From the A-7 toward Cádiz: Exit 142, follow the signs to Casares.
  • From the A-7 toward Málaga: Exit 153, follow the signs to Casares.
  • From Ronda: A-377.
  • Park in the parking garage downtown.

Be considerate

  • Leave everything as you found it, and take your trash with you.
  • Do not pitch a tent, build a fire, pick plants, or disturb wildlife.
  • Close the gates behind you. They often have a steel wire loop that serves as a lock.

Useful Numbers

Baños de la Hedionda in the summer: From July through September (12:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.), only those with a ticket are allowed into the baths. This applies to tours 6, 15, and 17. This information is current as of December 2021, so please check the current rules before you go. Phone: +34 952 89 55 21.