The Donkey Sanctuary
Genal Challenge - Southern Spain
12-18 October 2008

An exciting three-day trek amid the peaks and vales of the Genal, part of the Serranía de Ronda mountain range in south-western Andalusia. Test yourself on the ancient pathways through the abrupt, narrow glens of the beautiful, unspoilt Genal and share in the traditional Andalusian mountain way of life!

The Genal Valley remains one of the least visited places in southern Spain's Andalucia region. Few people have heard of this surprisingly lush valley, home to tiny traditional white villages dotted amongst the alpine scenery, retaining their true Moorish character. Alongside the Rio Genal limestone crags, almond and cherry orchards and sweet chestnut forests grow and birdlife abounds including four species of eagle. With an incredible variety of scenery and abundance of wildlife, the Genal Valley is a walker’s paradise. In the Genal Valley there are 15 white villages, varying in size between 100 and 2000 inhabitants. Their urban layouts betray their Moorish past, with a maze of narrow streets lined with small whitewashed houses with tiny windows, red tile roofs and chimneys of a variety of curious shapes. They are agricultural communities specializing in orchard trees: olive, almond, cherry, citrus, walnut and above all, chestnut. In the adjoining Guadiaro Valley there is more of a stock-rearing tradition. Both valleys form part of an important cork producing area. The surrounding mountains, of limestone and of the rare igneous rock peridotite, rise to a maximum height of 1919 m/6296 ft.

For more details and to reserve your place, please contact us.