Ronda to El Chorro - 3 day hike Day 1: Ronda to El Burgo

This was a 3 day hike from Ronda to El Chorro, following the GR249 Gran Senda de Málaga and the GR7. Day 1 - Ronda to El Burgo - the route follows the GR243 Sendero Sierra de las Nieves and the GR249 (they overlap on this section). It's well signposted with red/white posts.

There is only only slightly tricky section to navigate - after descending on a zig-zag track from the Puerto de Lifa to a goat/sheep farm, you pass through a gate on the track, and shortly afterwards you have to leave the track and go through a gate on the left into a field. There's a red/white post by this gate. But then there's no indication of which way to go in the field - so keep to the left, near-ish the fence and you will arrive at a third gate. Go through the gate and head to the left, to the base of the mountain, then you pick up the red/white posts again.

The route has three sections. First, a gentle uphill climb out of Ronda on driveable tracks up to the Puerto de Lifa (this section is popular with mountain bikers and runners at weekends) and then a gentle descent through rolling farmland.

The middle section is spectacular and passes the Torre de Lifa on a rocky mountain path, and then descends on a rough path through woodland and crosses the River Turón. The middle mountain section is not difficult for experienced hikers, nor particularly slippery, with plenty of footholds - but you need to take your time and definitely need appropriate hiking boots. This section should be tackled with care by inexperienced hikers and should not be undertaken in trainer type footwear. A hiking pole is useful. There was no water in the river when I crossed (March 2022) but after heavy rainfall you would need to paddle or take your boots off.

After climbing briefly from the river, you join another driveable track, and the final section follows this lovely forest track to El Burgo. This final section is easy but goes on a bit...and you will be pleased to reach El Burgo.

Overall a great route, highly recommended. You definitely need strong boots with thick soles due to the rocky terrain. My average speed was 4.5 kms/hour on this day.