Garganta Verde Trail

The Garganta Verde (Green Gorge) is a canyon carved by the Bocaleones stream into the limestone of the sierra, between Grazalema and Zahara de la Sierra, with walls up to 400 metres deep. The trail drops to the canyon floor and to the La Ermita cave, a grotto whose roof collapsed when the river reached it. It is 2.4 km each way, an hour and forty minutes, along a mountain path of cut rock and loose stones, and the Junta rates it very high difficulty: the hard part is the way back, a steep climb. You need prior authorisation, which is free.

From the Acebuches pass to the canyon floor

The trail starts at the Acebuches pass, on the road linking Grazalema and Zahara, after a gate with the start sign and a car park for about twenty cars. From Grazalema, take the A-372 towards Benamahoma, turn onto the CA-9104 after 1.5 km towards the Palomas pass and carry on for about 10 km; the trail leaves on the left. There is no public transport.

The first stretch crosses dense scrub of broom, wild olive, dwarf fan palm and mastic, with the Sierra del Pinar behind you. After about four hundred metres, a hundred-metre detour leads to the gorge viewpoint: from there you can see the whole canyon, its cliffs and the crag-dwelling birds. It is a good place to see griffon vultures very close. Then the path drops steeply, with handrails on the tricky sections, down to the riverbed. Down below it is cool and damp: water seeps from the walls and coats them in green, hence the name. The La Ermita cave, with stalactites and stalagmites, is at the bottom. The maximum height difference is 238 metres.

Permit and dates

Individuals request authorisation at [email protected] or on 956 70 97 33, at the El Bosque Visitor Centre; companies, clubs and groups go through the park office (600 16 19 16 or 600 16 19 06). From 1 June to 15 October the trail is closed to hikers and can only be entered by canyoning with an authorised company. Outside those dates, it is an autumn, winter and spring route.

Before you go down

Allow for the climb back, which is much slower than the descent. Take water, sun protection and sturdy mountain footwear with a good sole: the stones are slippery even with handrails, and there is a risk of falling rocks. The Junta asks visitors to keep quiet. Afterwards, Zahara is a few kilometres away, with its castle above the reservoir, and the route fits with the Palomas pass in the Sunday around Zahara and the Majaceite.