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The Genal Valley
The valley we drive through on our way to the hotel
During your painting holiday we travel up the Genal Valley which is situated between three beautiful Natural Parks behind the coast of Estepona, and runs towards Ronda.
You will be able to admire the beauty and variety of the landscapes, with verdant mountain plains, dark green forest, terraces and orchards, and white limestone crests against an azure sky.
Tiny villages
The Genal Valley (see map below) gets its name from the River Genal which flows through the valley. The main villages of the valley are Gaucin, Benarrabá, Jubrique, Algatocin, Genalguacil, in the lower part of the valley. The villages of Cartajima, Juzcar, Farajan, Alpandeire, Pujerra and Igualeja are all situated further inland towards Ronda., with a few more villages dotted in between. The 15 villages of the Genal valley all share the same Moorish heritage of whitewashed walls and labyrinthine alley-ways.
The Genal Valley is a paradise for those wanting to be surrounded by nature at its best. The river Genal is reportedly listed as being the cleanest river in Europe, and although there are not the vast panoramic views enjoyed by some other parts of Andalucia, here the views are lovely and intimate.
The Genal valley has been designated a Natural Park and this park is expected to have an area of 42,000 hectares and will include 16 villages of the Ronda county. This area is considered to be one of the best preserved in Europe and the Mediterranean area, in that it contains verdant forests, stands of Spanish Fir, chestnut woods and animals in danger of extinction such as the otter.
Flora and Fauna
Many varieties of oak, chestnuts, almonds, St. John´s bread, poplars, elms, willows and pines grow in abundance. Thriving fruit trees include the pomegranate, quince, and fig. Herbs of astounding variety and an exuberance of wildflowers make this area a favourite destination for plant lovers.
The Genal Valley area is home to foxes and wild cats, mongoose, martens, badgers, weasels, moles and porcupines, bats, and wild boar inhabit the countryside.
There is no industry in the area and because of the terrain the farming techniques still employ traditional methods. Many people still use mules and donkeys on the land. All food is produced organically, and you can purchase produce straight from the farmers.
The Los Alcornocales Natural Park
The Los Alcornocales Natural Park, which is situated very close to the Genal Valley to the West, is the largest, oldest and greatest forest in Europe. 1,092,565 (I don’t know who counted that lot!) specimens of cork oaks (alcornoques) and over 250,000 gall oaks cover 168,661 hectares. It is a remnant of the great forest that covered the whole of Spain before they began cutting it down in the 16th century to provide wood for the sailing ships.
We have personally driven round this area, and were amazed by the vastness of this ancient forest. The park has many long distance footpaths running through it, which are shaded and sheltered by the trees, which makes it ideal for walking when the weather is hot.
The other two Natural Parks in this region of Andalucia are the Grazelema Natural Park, which we visit for our painting sessions, and the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park, which is situated to the South East of Ronda.
The Genal Valley and surrounding area - the valley runs from Ronda down towards Gaucin
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