This route, only one of the many possible, passes in the western part of the Bética ranges with mountainous landscapes and characteristic white villages inserted into the mountains. The highest elevation is the Pico de Pinar (1654 meters) close to the village of Grazalema. Cork and oaks and the very rare Spanish fir ("Pinsapo") grow in the forests. In the last stretch on the west predominates the farm lands. Typical "pueblo blancos", white washed houses villages inserted into the mountains with red tile roofs and narrow streets usually adorned by a castle complete the scenery we find on the way.
Andalusia, Grazalema a pueblo blanco
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First we find Grazalema centre of the Natural Park with the church of Nuestra Señora de la Aurora.
In 1977 UNESCO declared the Grazalema Natural Park a Reserve of the Biosphere. This is a spectacular mountain range with limestone rocks that form immense caves, crags and canyons while a dense Mediterranean forest of cork oak, common oak and wild olive covers the landscape. Among the park's marvels is the "Pinsapo" (Spanish fir) species of conifer unique to this area. The park's micro-climate generates a rainfall that nourishes the woodland and valleys. Among the fauna are mammals such as the "Cabra Montes" (wild goats), deers and pole cats. Here ospreys and griffon vultures nest in the high sierra. The Imperial eagle, booted eagle, goshawks and sparrow hawks, breed here too. The Jurassic limestone rock formation include gullies of a surprising depth. The Garganta Verde channels 400m into the hillside and the "Cueva de la Pileta", internationally renown for its prehistoric cave paintings.
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Andalucia, Zahara de la Sierra
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On the road to Zahara we get over the mountain pass Puerto de las Palomas. This is an hiking area with paths to "El Pinsapar" (Spanish fir forest) and to "la Garganta Verde" (cave) with a large colony of griffon vultures (buitre leonado). After a long descent we pass by
Zahara de la Sierra, of Moorish foundation, located on a mountainside with the remains of an ancient castle. Then the landscape changes, leaving the rugged mountains for olive groves and fields of vegetables.
Setenil de las Bodegas with the picturesque cave houses inside the rocks, a fortified castle overhead the river and the Gothic church de la Encarnación.
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Andalucia, Setenil de las Bodegas
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