Andalucia

Location

Andalucía is one of the warmest regions of whole Europe. It has a temperate, Mediterranean climate with dry and hot summers and mild winters with irregular rainfall. This southern region is one of the most beautiful parts of Spain, where you can enjoy spectacular mountain areas, comprising of terraced hillsides and well-watered fertile valleys. The landscape of rural Andalusia is breathtaking. One of the best ways to appreciate the diversity and beauty of Andalucia is by walking. There are two national parks in Andalucia: Doñana National Park and Sierra Nevada. It also has many Natural Parks. All of the parks have unrestricted access, but a few may have areas where you need to obtain special permission before visiting them due to the risk of forest fire or disturbing nesting birds, as is the case with the reserve zone in the Sierra de Grazalema. Footpaths (senderos) are frequently follow former drovers' routes that are common throughout Andalucia, are becoming increasingly well marked with information boards marking the beginning of a route and signposts along the way.

Currently thinking of a brief respite from the cold and forbidding weather in your part of the world and spending your dream holidays in the sunny waters off the beautiful Mediterranean coast? Grab the latest available flights to Barcelona and work your way down to visit the enchanting autonomous region of Andalusia in the southern part of the Iberian peninsula. Tourists come in droves to Andalusia to enjoy its beautiful scenery and take in the warm weather the region is noted for.

If you want more information about walking and hiking in Andalucia, we suggest you purchase a copy of Guy Hunter Watts; Walking in Andalucia. This guidebook is a 260 page full colour guide to some of the very best walks in southern Spain, taking the walker on 34 routes - all starting and most finishing in beautiful villages - in the Natural Parks of Grazalema, La Alpujarra, Cazorla, Los Alcornocales, Aracena, and La Axarquia.