Costa de la Luz & Alcornocales
Nature Reserve walks

Stunning coastal & mountain scenery walks along the little known coast between Algeciras, Tarifa & Cape Trafalgar plus a day in the higher Alcornocales & countryside walks around Vejer

Fact File:

Trip outline:
Our walking holiday is based in Vejer de la Frontera described by the writer Jan Morris as '...perhaps Spains most spectacular village' based up high on a rocky promontry with views across the the ancient Laguna de Janda (site of the first battle between the invading Moors & the Iberians), the Alcornocales Natural Park & the bay of Zahara & the Tangiers coastline. The week includes walking through a varied selection of terrain including coastal cliff walks, mediterranean pine woods, dense cork forest & golden sandy Atlantic beaches. Along the way we will visit amongst other sites the bay of historic Cape Trafalgar, the roman ruins of the Baelo Claudio fishing village, the seafaring merchant town of Tarifa just a few miles from the Moroccan coastline and of course romantic & monumental Seville.

About Vejer:
Vejer de la Frontera is widely considered to be the best preserved of all the ‘pueblos blancos’ (white towns). The old town is a maze of medieval walls, laberynthine streets, arab patio houses & of course the Castle & church crowning the hill. Vejers’ position is unique as the town is just a few kilometres from local beaches & is just a 10min. walk froom the Barbate river. The views from Vejer extend over to the Moroccan coastline & other hilltop towns such as Medina Sidonia or Alcalá de los Gazules are visible in the distance. The town has many lively bars & good local restaurants, typical village shops & even its own bodega for sherry tasting.

Example Hotel: Hotel la Casa del Califa
Our holiday is based in Vejer in the Hotel la Casa del Califa in the heart of the old town. This hotel has been open since 2001 although the buildings it incorporates date back to the 15th.C! A popular Spanish supplement recently voted the hotel as one of the top 20 hotels in Spain and we can see why. The entrance is off the stunning Plaza de España a palm filed square with ornamental fountain & bright bouganvilla while all the rooms overlook a quiet pedestrian area. 17 rooms are spread out over a maze of courtyards & open passageways. Built out of 5 old houses the hotel incorporates 4 typical patios (courtyards) one of which is true andalucian with geraniums & cintas draping from the walls and another is based on the old islamic patios of scented flowers & herbs. A 700 year old arab well has been restored & rainwater off the various roofs is channelled for cleaning & irrigation. All rooms have heating, air conditioning, phone, TV etc. There are various reception rooms including a study room containing maps & information on the area including a small library of historical & nature texts. The games room has a large supply of board games in English or just chill out on the terrace with fabulous views across the old town & surrounding countryside.

Example Itinerary:

Day 1 Transfer to Vejer. Check-in Hotel. Welcome drink & Introduction. Dinner.

Day 2 Walking tour: Vejer – Las Breñas – Acantilado – Los Caños –Trafalgar. A wonderful start to the trip walking through rolling landscape with views to Atlantic & Bay of Zahara. Visit 17th.C. dovecote (the Largest in the world), walk into Las Breñas forest & Acantilado cliffs with major views. Some beach walking & a visit to Cape Trafalgar. 16,6km. Easy terrain.
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Day 3 Walking tour: Hurricane Hotel – Punta Paloma – Bolonia.
Visit the Vulture Observation point near Tarifa followed by a walk along the Tarifa Bird Sanctuary coastline including the large dunes at Punta Paloma. Coastal & forest walking all the way to Bolonia where we visit the Roman ruins.. 17km. Easy terrain.

Day 4 Walking tour: Refugio Picacho – Algibe – Refugio Picacho . Vertical climb. Walking into the Alcornocales Forest “Europes last real wilderness” – David Bellamy. Easy walking up to 987m. (3,000ft). with views over the Sierras of Ronda & the Mediterranean. Visit the sub-tropical ‘canutos’ & learn about life cycle of the cork tree & the vegetation of the area. 13km. Moderate terrain with 300m. Vert. of climbing.
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Day 5 Walking tour: Algeciras - Alcornocales – Costa Tarifa – Tarifa
Walking above the Straits of Gibraltar along protected coastline & cliffs. Stunning views across to Africa as we follow an old smugglers trail along the beach & cliffs. Arrive in Tarifa where we enjoy a tour of the old town & a visit to the castle. Time for shopping in the afternoon or optional Whale Watching tour.15km. Moderate terrain

Day 6 Walking tour: Vejer – Abejaruco – Jandilla – Manzanete – Montenmedio
Leave Vejer on foot & drop down to the Barbate river. Charming walking through easy countryside. Visit to the Roman pond at Libreros & pick up Roman shards fromthe oold settlement. Walk into private bull breeding farm & see fighting bulls. Cross the Babrate river & following old drovers trails we finish our walk near Manzanete. Return transfer to Vejer.17km. Easy terrain.

Day 7 Transfer to Sevilla & walking tour of Historic centre. 4hr. Guided city tour. Visiting Romantic Seville, a tour through the Jewish quarter, along the Guadalquivir river seeing monuments along the way. Optional flamenco show in the evening. Click here for a detailed itinerary.

Day 8 Breakfast followed by transfer to Seville airport