Cerro Coros

The magnificent road linking Zahara and Grazalema (CA-9104) passes through the Puerto de Los Palomas. Park in the car park at the “Puerto de Las Palomas” viewpoint. On the other side of the road is the access to the viewpoint, which is of little interest compared to the views you will enjoy throughout this walk.

(S/E) Do not cross the road; look for a metal gate on the left as you stand with your back to the road – this is the starting point of the walk. You will follow a perfectly marked and signposted balcony path. It heads north-west towards the eastern end of Cerro Coros, overlooking Lake Zahara-El Gastor, fed by the River Guadalete, and the village of Zahara. After about 30 minutes, you will reach a junction that is not very visible.

(1) Stay on the well-marked path along the ridge and do not take the one on the left, which goes downhill. Go round the eastern spur of Cerro Coros. The path climbs up the other side, offering magnificent views of its own, and reaches the ridge.

(2) Two options: stay on the wide, well-marked path that passes below the summit or, as we chose, take a small unmarked track that runs along this ridge to the summit.

(3) Enjoy the magnificent 360° view. Pass close to a small, half-ruined building and descend via the easiest route back to the wider path.

(4) Turn left to follow this path, which becomes a track near a water collection building. The track descends in the shade of Pinsapo pines, endemic to these Andalusian mountains, and returns to the car park (S/E).

The narrow road is very busy with motorcyclists and intrepid cyclists, so please take great care.
Remember to close the gates properly at the start and end of the circular route, as there are herds of livestock.
The best months for this hike are April, May and June.

If you have followed the marked trail from the start of the ridge, you can head up towards the summit at (4), aiming for the small building.

Please note: as of 27/04/2026, the road between Grazalema and the pass has been closed following this winter’s floods and landslides. A section of the mountainside has collapsed, taking part of the road with it, and repairs are likely to take some time. Access is possible from Zahara or Benamahoma.

Three remarkable plants of the region:
The Pinsapo pine, easily recognisable by its Christmas tree shape, can reach heights of 30 metres and live to a venerable age. Legend has it that, thanks to its perfectly straight trunk, it was used as a mast on Christopher Columbus’s caravels.
The Matagallo (Phlomis purpurea) is a sage endemic to the Andalusian mountains with medicinal properties.
The hierba de ballesteros, which is a stinking hellebore (Helleborus foetidus), common in the mid-mountain ranges. The Spanish name ‘hierba de ballesteros’ (crossbowmen’s herb) refers to a use of this toxic plant. Indeed, crossbowmen used to poison their arrows with a decoction of this plant.