Culturally significant landscape in Casares

Understand

The aim of this route is help you better understand the landscapes in and around the town and municipality of Casares, located in the south-western tip of the Province of Málaga. The area is part of the Western Costa del Sol, which is found on the coast between the city of Málaga and the city of Algeciras. The municipality spans 162.2 km² and is made up of a variety of landscapes shaped by its coastline, mountains and plains. The town lies between Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja nature reserve and two elevations of the Sierra Crestellina nature reserve. The latter belongs to the Subbaetic System and to the west borders the foothills of Campo de Gibraltar. Here, limestone rock has resulted in steep, rugged terrain, which meets with the eastern side of the Genal Valley. The nearby river and plain also mean part of the municipality has deep, loose and fertile soil. Thanks to its diverse geography and geology, the area in and around Casares has a number of distinct landscapes. These include the cork oaks found on the flysch of Gibraltar, the olive groves and palm trees that thrive in the looser soil of the lowlands, and the holm oaks, mastic trees and hawthorns that grow in its chalky soil. Although trees are the defining feature of its natural landscapes, there is also some farming (particularly pastoral farming) in the area. It is precisely these contrasts which led humans to settle in this area many millennia ago. In Hispano-Roman times, a fortress was built in Lacipo, near to present-day Casares, following the coming together of local groups to defend themselves against the imperialist ambitions of Carthage. During the Roman period, Lacipo became a thriving city, even creating its own mint of Punic tradition in the 2nd century BC. In fact, it was such a well-established Roman city than well into the 1st century AD, it still had a forum and town walls. During the Late Middle Ages, the town became a place of great strategic importance due to its location on the border between the Almohad and Marinid dominions and the Kingdom of Castile. It also controlled access inland to the Comarca de Ronda. This period played an important role in shaping the current landscape of C

Get in

The route is traveled on foot through the town of Casares, 90 km (56 mi) from the city of Málaga and 145 km (90 mi) from the city of Cádiz. It can be reached by roads AP-7 and A-381 .

Drive

1 From the bird observatory to the old town Route: A-7150 to Calle Carrera.

The route begins at the site of the 1 Casares visitor reception center by the A-7150, which continues through to Serranía de Ronda. Take the small footpath up to the 2 bird observatory.

This site offers panoramic views of Casares and the surrounding area, allowing you to clearly see how it is built on a rocky formation between the coast and Serranía de Ronda. The limestone rock has given rise to extremely rugged, uneven terrain, which falls sharply into a valley, at the bottom of which is a stream known as 3 Arroyo del Albarrán. Over the centuries, this unique terrain has conditioned the layout of the town, which began life as a defensive settlement at the top of the rock. You will also see 4 Tajo de la Planá. This is the old fortified part of Casares, dating back to the middle of the 13th century, and where we find its castle. It formed a strategic line of defence along the old border of the Kingdom of Granada, along with forts in Gibraltar, Gaucín and Ronda. To get to the town itself, drive or walk down the A-7150 until you reach Calle Carrera. This is the old road that connected Casares and Gaucín. This section of the route allows you to fully appreciate just how high the old town is, as well as take in views of its whitewashed houses. It also offers views of the northern part of the old town.

2 Calle Carrera: the old road into Casares Route: Calle Carrera to Plaza de España.

Once you have left the A-7150 and are on Calle Carrera, you are now in the 1 old town. This was declared a 5 Conjunto Histórico(conservation area) in 1978. This was the only road between Casares and Gaucín until the 20th century, and continues to be the main road into the town. During the 16th century, the towns were known as the ‘key to the Havaral’ as they formed a well-defended gateway to the Genal Valley from the coast, defended by the highest watchtower in Sierra Crestellina. As you walk along Calle Carrera towards 6 Plaza de España, you will pass 7 Peñón Roao. Just by this rock, which holds great symbolic importance for locals, is a multi-purpose building. This spot offers panoramic views of

Safety

The places included on the route are safe and have low rates of crime. However, the usual safety precautions should be taken, such as locking your car and keeping your eye on your rucksack and other personal belongings. As in the rest of Spain, the Guardia Civil is responsible for policing the countryside, although Casares does have its own local police force. On many parts of the route, there are no areas of shade. As such, you should use sun cream and a hat when the weather is hot. A number of sections are not fully accessible and may require outdoor wear and walking boots.

Emergencies-112, ☏ 112. Guardia Civil, ☏ 062.

Stay healthy The hospitals nearest to the points along the route are:

1 Consultorio de Casares, C/ Carrera, 87D, Casares, Málaga, ☏ +34 951270699. 2 Hospital de Alta Resolución de Estepona, C/ Irene Villa, 29680, Estepona, Málaga, ☏ +34 951 97 67 83. 3 Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Campus de Teatinos, s/n, 29010, Málaga, ☏ +34-951-03-20-00.