Montemayor is the name of a castle ruins and the hill it sits on overlooking the village of Benahavís and the Mediterranean coast Known for its excellent gastronomy and wide range of high-quality restaurants, as well as its grand selection of quality golf courses, unsurprisingly Benahavis attracts a vast number of tourists… More → The walk passes through six of Andalucia's Natural Parks and protected areas via its most beautiful mountain villages. Continue straight up to the first houses of the village where the track becomes paved. Shortly before the track drops down to meet with this road you reach a three way junction.
When you reach the top turn left along a one way street past the Cuartel of the Guardia Civil to return to your point of departure (2 hours 20 mins). Angling right you pass by the oddly numbered houses 5, 3, 7 then 35 where you should cut left and head up a narrow, paved street. Soon you pass by Finca El Alborrán then a little further up go past the track cutting in to El Nobo. As it levels the Gaucín to Casares road comes into sight down beneath you. Continue on up the track which is now cobbled in parts.

"Walking in Andalucia" by Guy Hunter Watts

The walk begins at the petrol station (la gasolinera) on the outskirts of Gaucin on the main road, leading through the village from Ronda to Algeciras. Today Puerta de Purchena is in the heart of the city, close to Plaza de la Constitucion (also known as Plaza Vieja) and the Alcazaba. There are a number of restaurants situated in La Cala de Mijas or Mijas Costa, giving spectacular views over the med from the dining table.

"The Andalucian coast to coast walk " by Guy Hunter Watts

• Soon you pass by an odd group of modern buildings to the left of the track.
• Day to day worries fall into insignificance, or rather true significance, when we get out into the mountains and walking is about a lot more than taking exercise.
• But its restaurants are its glory, and it celebrates the fact by describing itself on the road signs that guide you there as the gastronomic corner of Andalucía.
• The chapel is the destination of a summer romería when the villagers bring the Santo Niño (the Christ Child) down from Gaucín.
• The walk begins at the petrol station (la gasolinera) on the outskirts of Gaucin on the main road, leading through the village from Ronda to Algeciras.
• When you come to leave, with your back to the main entrance of the chapel, up ahead you’ll see tracks to both left and right.
• All too often this is easier said than done, and the best alternative is to drive carefully to the Restaurante Los Faroles on calle Málaga, beside which an enterprising villager has turned a rare spot of unused land into a welcome and cheap car park.

There are 7 fabulous golf courses and clubs in the municipal district biggerz casino login of Benahavís for all abilities and they are all featured on our Benahavís Golf page. At the entrance to the village is a park known as Leonera Park featuring lawns, gardens and a small open air auditorium. Almost a village within a village, La Aldea was the brainchild of the British sculptor, David Marshall, whose gallery is one of its main features however there are other art galleries in Benahavís. Even the old stone Arab walls around the town hall have been converted into one. The municipal district extends behind the higher parts of east Estepona (Los Flamingos and Atalaya) and Marbella including the upmarket 'Ronda road' districts and La Quinta on the mountain side of the AP-7 motorway.

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It should not be assumed that restaurants are the only eating places in Benahavís. All too often this is easier said than done, and the best alternative is to drive carefully to the Restaurante Los Faroles on calle Málaga, beside which an enterprising villager has turned a rare spot of unused land into a welcome and cheap car park. If possible, a parking space should be found at the entrance to the village and the tour of its streets undertaken on foot. But this is not being allowed to attack the old village, and the visitor who remains steadfastly at its centre, as most do, might almost be unaware of their existence.

• It has the highest concentration of high class restaurants in the region and draws visitors by the thousand who come simply to savour the cuisine.
• The village has remained remarkably unspoiled, with winding narrow streets ill-suited to the motor car, and a picturesqueness which almost makes it seem like a specially-created film set.
• Selected, approved Gaucin villas and village houses.
• There is no shortage of restaurants in La Cala de Mijas.
• (8) Here bear sharply right on a track (marked by a cairn) which heads up towards the mountain of El Hacho before looping back round to the left.
• Almost a village within a village, La Aldea was the brainchild of the British sculptor, David Marshall, whose gallery is one of its main features however there are other art galleries in Benahavís.

Commercial Centres

Restaurants in Mijas CostaThere are a number of restaurants situated in La Cala de Mijas or Mijas Costa, giving spectacular views over the med from the dining table. La Cala de Mijas is the heart of Mijas Costa (the coastal strip of Mijas municipal district) and although it has expanded over the years, it still maintains something of its Andalucian seaside village atmosphere. All have views of the golf course, pool or gardens, and in some cases the Mediterranean Sea. But its restaurants are its glory, and it celebrates the fact by describing itself on the road signs that guide you there as the gastronomic corner of Andalucía. Anyone wishing to make the climb to visit the ruins and experience the truly sensational views of the coastline should be prepared for a strenuous but rewarding effort.

Hotels in Benahavís

Soon you pass by an odd group of modern buildings to the left of the track. Take the left hand option and head up a wonderful old section of track which climbs up between ancient groves of almonds. When you come to leave, with your back to the main entrance of the chapel, up ahead you'll see tracks to both left and right. After crossing over a rocky scree slope the track passes just to the left of the pylon. (8) Here bear sharply right on a track (marked by a cairn) which heads up towards the mountain of El Hacho before looping back round to the left. Conveninet for Gaucin village or the hiistoric town of Ronda.
The track runs towards a ruined farm then angles right then passes to the right of a gate where it narrows to become a path. When you reach a grove of carob and olive trees, ignore a left turn leading to a gate but rather continue straight on. The track continues to descend and passes beneath a white building where you'll be greeted by barking dogs. Selected, approved Gaucin villas and village houses.
In the unspoilt Andalusian village of Benhavis, close to the coast, lies the Amanhavis hotel, an elegant and peaceful haven a short walk from the Marbella golf club. Andalucian Villa with gorgeous pool and sea views close to Gaucin village. The village stands 500 metres above sea level, 7 kilometres inland from A-7 coast road and the Guadalmina Golf Course, and is reached by driving alongside the River Guadalmina through the gorge up into the hills. Benahavis attracts a vast number of tourists during the summer season due to its beauty and close proximity to Marbella, Puerto Banus and Málaga.The town has a deep history dating back to the… More → Benahavis is an attracts and convenient location for property owners due to its beauty and close proximity to Marbella, Puerto Banus and Málaga.The village has a deep history dating back to the… More →

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At the next fork by a white building, just to the left of the track, bear right (25 mins). The track drops down through groves of almonds and carobs, skirting round beneath the village. At the end of the street, just past Bar Portisuelo, turn right and climb for 30m then swing left on a track that immediately begins to descend. Throughout the walk you're treated to soaring views out across the Genal valley and back to the hilltop chapel and the castle above Gaucín. There are lovely sections of ancient path, a fair amount of track and even a short section of what is reputedly Roman road. This easy half-day walk skirts round the mountain beneath the beautiful village of Gaucín then cuts down into the Genal valley to the Ermita de Juan de Dios, a mountain chapel where a colourful annual pilgrimage is held.