Ronda - Cueva del Abanico - Alpandeire (GR 141)

This track, stage 6 of the GR-141 in reverse, provides a dramatic transition from the city of Ronda to the rural villages of the Valle del Genal. The trail is full of surprises. It leaves Ronda by winding through the stunning rock formations of the Tajo del Abanico and reaches the cave where part of Francisco Rosi's 1984 version of Bizet’s Carmen starring Placido Domingo was filmed. Next is a water deposit topped with Corinthian columns, followed by two 6000-year-old Neolithic burial dolmens, and then wide-ranging views from the mountain pass of Encinas Borrachas. The climb up to the pass is surprisingly easy with parts of the wide track following veredas formerly used to drive animals to summer pasture, but the descent via the Arroyo Audalazar is steep and might be challenging on a rainy day.

Notes
We did not have any trouble passing through the Cortijo de Coto Alto, although we were aware of the problems of previous years now resolved by a court order allowing passage.
See resources below.

This route coincides with Etapa 6 of the GR-141. See topoguide link below under resources.

By combining the route of the GR-141 with the route of the Gran Vuelta del Valle Genal and various local routes, one can make a 600-kilometer exploration of the Serranía de Ronda. The twenty-five villages are close enough together that the journey can be made entirely on foot. No car is needed for this long-distance route. See resources below.

Walk 8 of a long-distance walk through the Serranía de Ronda
From our journal:
Two trails enter the Valle del Genal, one through the valley of the Guadiaro River and the other over a mountain pass, the Puerto de Encinas Borrachos. If you want a dramatic entrance, choose the latter. (Besides, who could resist saying they entered the region through the Pass of the Drunken Holm Oaks?) The weather was the best one could hope for: we had an entire day in the mountains under a clear blue sky. As soon as we left Ronda, the man-made noise disappeared and all we heard were birds, sheep bells, and our footfalls. Valentine’s Day, 2018: A day full of joy, celebrating 50 years of walking together.

Possibilities for eating/sleeping
Hotel La Casa Grande - C/Barranco 76 A 16th century building with a convenient location in a village surrounded by numerous walking trails; delicious meals available in the restaurant; and a warm welcome from Jesús and Rosa.
Grocery shop in the village

Resources
GR-141 topoguide
http://www.fedamon.com/index.php/home-6/2013-04-16-17-25-48/11-federacion/1231-sendero-gr-141

Gran Vuelta del Valle Genal
https://es.wikiloc.com/rutas-carrera-por-montana/gvvg2020-ultra-trail-48293868

Planning a long-distance walk in the Serranía de Ronda
https://hiking.topicwise.com/doc/page/?o=1my&page_id=534579&v=Bp&src=page_prev

Passage through the Cortijo de Coto Alto
http://fedamon.com/senderos/incidencias/fichaavisos_incidencias_ET6_MIRADOR%20DE%20LA%20MESETA-Ronda.pdf

Previous walk: Ronda - Under the Puente Nuevo
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/ronda-under-the-puente-nuevo-72153420

Next walk: Alpandeire - Puerto del Candil
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/alpandeire-puerto-del-candil-72399619

Link to journal
http://hiking.topicwise.com/doc/GenalValley