Puerto de Las Presillas

Located in Andalusia, west of Ronda, the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park offers spectacular karst terrain. This circular walk allows you to discover its characteristic landscapes and terrain: karst formations, sinkholes, poljes and traces of human activity.

Details

29985032
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.31 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,204 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,198 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,117 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,005 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Car park in front of the entrance to the campsite at the top of the village of Grazalema.

(S/E) From the car park, we follow a path running alongside the road to the bridge crossing the river. Cross the road carefully.

(1) We then take a path below the road on the left bank of the River Guadalete to Puerto del Boyar. Although the stream is dry, lush green vegetation surrounds the path. From the pass, a short walk to the viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the western foothills of the Sierra.

(2) From the pass, a paved path heads southwards uphill through karst terrain. We soon reach the remains of an old lime kiln (Calera del Navazo), which offers a spectacular view of the rocky peak of Pico del Monete to the north.

(3) The climb continues through a wild landscape of jagged rocks to the plateau of Puerto de las Presillas.

(4) At the crossroads, we turn left and begin the descent. Shortly afterwards, in the hollow of a sinkhole, we discover the remains of what appears to be an ice house (huella del agua, though the information panel is illegible).

(5) Continuing north-east, we can see below us the polje of Llano del Endrinal, a vast flat expanse of pasture in the hollow of a small valley where a few pines and oaks grow. A few wild goats keep their distance as we approach. Here we observe traces of ancient human activity, including a water source and its trough.

(6) A stony and fairly steep path then leads us towards the finish. Shortly before reaching it, an old threshing floor borders the path, along with the ruins of curious circular structures (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,009 ft - Grazalema - Car park in front of the campsite entrance
  2. 1 : mi 0.21 - alt. 3,094 ft - Bridge
  3. 2 : mi 1.43 - alt. 3,615 ft - Puerto del Boyar
  4. 3 : mi 1.97 - alt. 3,921 ft - Lime kiln
  5. 4 : mi 2.39 - alt. 4,104 ft - Puerto de las Presillas
  6. 5 : mi 2.58 - alt. 4,072 ft - Icebox
  7. 6 : mi 3.42 - alt. 3,491 ft - Watering hole
  8. S/E : mi 4.31 - alt. 3,012 ft - Grazalema - Car park in front of the campsite entrance

Notes

Refreshments and accommodation available in the village of Grazalema: grocery shop, campsite and hotel.

Worth a visit

The village, listed among the most beautiful villages in Spain, is well worth a visit with its superb white houses.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Philou64
Philou64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We completed the route as described, without any problems. It was the height of the orchid season – absolutely stunning. The karst geology of the mountains is fascinating. Highly recommended.

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RandosPat
RandosPat

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

When taken in the direction described, the descent is probably easier. We appreciate the explanations about the sinkhole, which allow us to see its bowl-shaped extent, how it has been filled in, and the pastoral work associated with it, as well as the numerous viewpoints.

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taowen
taowen
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely route, with points of interest and beautiful views.

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Marie-Pierre LIEBAERT
Marie-Pierre LIEBAERT
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We walked the route in the direction described, which, in our opinion, is the most enjoyable way. We started by following the road along a separate path that winds gently along, then turned off to climb up towards the lime kiln and on to the plateau, which we followed for a short while before heading back down to Llanos del Endrinal. We climbed a little further, then to head back down we turned right to take the alternative route, which we certainly didn’t regret! We completed the walk in 3 hours, stopping regularly to admire the scenery.
It was magnificent, a lovely way to explore the Sierra de Grazalema.
Lots of flowers at this time of year.

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Annelaurel69
Annelaurel69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The walk can be done either way. We did it in the opposite direction to the one we’d scouted out beforehand, as recommended by the Tourist Office. It climbs steeply at the start, but after that there’s no further incline. It’s a circular walk that offers a lovely variety of views. The river at the end was dry in May... Sad! We completed it in 2½ hours. You don’t need to register online for these hiking trails. There are others that require you to apply for a permit online.

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