Andalucia Diary – Seasonal Travel Notes

Genal Valley

Autumn Route – La Serrania de Ronda & Genal Valley, Malaga

The chestnut forests of the Serrania de Ronda and Genal Valley, punctuated by tiny pueblos blancos, are amongst the best places to enjoy an autumn weekend in Malaga province.  Castanos
Most of the province is a mix of pines, evergreen oaks, eucalyptus trees and North African palms on the coast, so there´s not exactly an autumnal feel to the place at this time of year.  Yet head out south west of Ronda, you´re greeted by the golds, reds and browns of a warm autumn scene.Chestnuts

The villages of the area reflect a strong moorish past; most of the church towers betray the original minaret architecture and the village houses are squat and tightly packed together in narrow streets. Horse in Cartajima street
Each pueblo has a name that looks back to a different millennium when this area was still arabic. Now in the 21st Century, most remain tranquil, offering a authentic glimpse of Southern Spanish country life.VW in a pueblo blanco www.andrewforbes.com

Head to the Benarraba and you´ll find the Hotel Rural Banu Rabbah, perched on outcrop of rock offering a privileged view across the Valle de Genal.  Eat in the informal Restaurant, Kabilas, and one can enjoy home made, organic food – the place is part of the “ruta gastronomica de cocina tradicional Malaguena”.

Taking the winding lanes, cut into mountainsides, you can discover more of these ancient villages, like Cartajima, in the heart of the castanos forestsWindow caratjima
– I love walking the village streets; there is something fascinating for me about the designs of the old windows Window Banarraba
and doors and the textures of the aging roof tiles.Chustnuts in genal valley

Cemetary Door Banadalid
The cemetary in the old arab fort algagaucin

 

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About the Author

Andrew ForbesTravel & Lifestyle Marketing Communications Consultant | Travel Editor Web: www.andrewforbes.com Twitter : @andrewaforbes Instagram @andrewaforbes and @luxurynavigatorView all posts by Andrew Forbes »