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GR7 Home | Almería
| Cadiz | Cordoba
| Granada | Jaén
| Málaga
by Dee McMath
The letters GR stand for "Gran
Recorrido" (Long Journey). The GR7 is the footpath through
Andalucia, which forms part of the European Route No. 4. The route
is made up of itineraries, which are designed to avoid crossing
or using tarmac roads or any roads used by traffic, wherever possible.
The origins of the long European Route No.4 or E4 (totaling over
10,500 kilometres) come from the time, centuries ago, when man moved
away from the seashores to explore living inland, marking the start
of the hunting and gathering evolution, which later developed into
the first farming and agricultural societies.The extensive footpath
is based on this ancient trade route and it offers us an opportunity
to walk the length of Europe. It begins at Tarifa,
in the Straits of Gibraltar and after crossing
the coastal mountains of Spain; it carries on across the Pyrenees,
France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Rumania and Greece.
The GR7 starts in the municipal district of Tarifa
in the Province of Cádiz, on the furthest southwest tip of
Spain, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. The route stretches
across the provinces of Cádiz, Málaga,
Granada, Almería, Córdoba
and, covering approximately 1,250 kilometres of sign-posted footpaths.
Town Halls and tourist offices along the length of the route are
may be able to supply further information on the detail of the pathways.
Although there are clearly marked red and white painted markers,
which indicate the continuation of the GR-7 along its tracks, some
of these have been removed or have become hidden by overgrown shrubbery.
We have found that it is not possible to walk the route based only
on tourist office descriptions and the sign posts alone. One missing
sign post could result in a long very detour. It appears as though
authorities produce enough information to publicise the route but
not enough to actually walk it. This sort of project requires continued
ongoing maintenance. We suggest you obtain copies of the ING (Instituto
Geographico Nacional) 1:25.000
and 1:10,000 sheets.
We are updating our route descriptions based on field research,
collecting GPS data and welcome comments from other walkers (info@andalucia.com).
Most of the sections could also be undertaken by mountain bike and
many by car (4x4 better) for those wishing to reconnoitre. The journey,
normally walked in stages, covers some of the most surprisingly
stunning natural scenery that you could imagine and is well worth
the effort and the preparation.
A summary of the route follows.
The GR7 in Cadiz Province
The walking route winds its way up from the beaches of Tarifa through
the Mountains of Ojén, with its stunning countryside and
fascinating wildlife. The route carries on through the Alcornocales
Natural Park, which offers tremendous contrasts of fast flowing
rivers through lush valleys and rocky mountain areas and where you
can see the world's largest area of cork oak groves. Then the pathway
continues through the beautiful Grazalema
Natural Park, renowned for its Spanish fir trees, natural caves
and breathtaking gorges.
More >
The GR7 in Malaga Province
From Grazalema,
the route takes you into the province of Malaga by way of the plains
of Libar and Montejaque,
crossing areas of great natural interest, such as the Ronda
Mountains, el Chorro
(a paradise for rock climbers) and the hill of the Abdalajis valley,
until it reaches Antequera.
At the point of Villanueva del Cauche, the GR7 divides into branches
into two separate routes. The Southern Route, going towards Zafarraya
in the Granada Province. The Northern Route, going into the Province
of Cordoba.
More >
The Southern Route
The GR7 in Granada
Province
This branch of the walk crosses the Alhama de Granada,
is protected by huge walls of natural rock face which leads into
the surprisingly pretty Valley of Lecrín, a valley rich with
orange groves and almond blossom and clear water rivers. From there
the route continues into the Granada Alpujarra mountain area and
also touches on a short section of the Almeria part of the Alpujarras
(Puerto la Ragua-Bayárcal). This whole area is a delight
to the walking traveller, who can really enjoy the unspoiled villages,
try out the authentic local dishes and witness genuine local Andalusian
life and customs. The route takes you up through a part of the Sierra
Nevada Mountains, which was made a National Park in 1999. Back
into the Granada Province, the pathway goes through the municipalities
of Zújar with its special thermal bath springs and Orce,
rich in prehistoric findings. The final stretch is through the tip
of la Sagra, at a height of 2000m2 with breathtaking views and natural
beauty until you reach Puebla de Don Fadrique.
More >
The Northern Route
The GR7 in Cordoba Province
This north route through the province of Cordoba
is entirely within the natural and unspoiled Natural
Park of the Subbeticas mountain range, in the south of the province
and being the geographical centre of Andalucia. It passes through
the municipality of Rute, where it is a must to visit the Anis Museum
and sample its produce! You pass through Priego de Cordoba, a fine
example of the Cordoba baroque style and then through Almedinilla,
where you can see important Roman ruins and an Iberian necropolis.
More >
The GR7 in Jaen Province
From there, the route goes into the Jaén
Province of Hortichula. Crossing the Mágina Nature Reserve,
with its steep rock face, this is the highest point in the Province;
the route carries on to the Natural
Park of Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas, covering the largest
area of Natural Park in Andalucia. This is where the river Guadalquivir
begins and the valleys and countryside are stunning in their grandeur
and natural beauty. Once you reach Santiago de la Espada, you go
over into the Granada Province to join up with the Puebla de
Don Fadrique and the top end of the Southern route of the GR7.
From this point onwards, the route goes out of Andalucia and into
the Murcia Region of Spain.
More >
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