Garganta Verde

About Garganta Verde

Garganta Verde is a canyon cut by the Arroyo Bocaleones through Jurassic limestone and dolomite, about 4 km south of Zahara de la Sierra in the reserve zone of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. Its walls rise up to 200 metres and close to a few metres apart, and the name comes from the green plants clinging to the rock.

The path passes a viewpoint over the canyon, then zigzags down steps and rock-cut ledges to the stream bed, 261 metres lower. Griffon vultures nest on the walls in one of Europe's largest colonies. The trail ends at the Ermita de la Garganta, a vast cave hollow with stalactites and walls stained pink and green by algae.

The trailhead is on the CA-9104 between Zahara and Grazalema, with parking for about 30 cars. You need an authorisation from the El Bosque visitor centre (cvelbosque@reservatuvisita.es, 956 709 733); dogs are not allowed. The 2.5 km descent takes about 1 hour 40 minutes and the climb out is harder. It suits fit walkers, not young children or people with reduced mobility. Beyond the Ermita is canyoning terrain for equipped, guided groups.

From 1 June to 15 October fire rules limit walkers to the first viewpoint, so plan the full walk between mid-October and May. Apply for the permit well ahead, start early and carry water.

Garganta Verde in pictures

What you’ll find

• Access permitEntry permitApply
• Canyoning routeCanyoningBook
• Car parkParkingFree
• Hiking trailHikingFree
• ViewpointSightseeingFree

Nearby places to visit

The white village of Zahara de la Sierra, with its hilltop castle, is 4 km away and Grazalema about 6 km south. In Benaocaz, Salto del Cabrero (12 km) is a fault cleft with walls over 80 metres high, reached on an old mule track, and the griffon vultures of Peñón de Zaframagón (20 km) can be watched on a live camera at its observatory. In Ronda, the Unicaja Joaquín Peinado Museum (22 km) shows the work of the Ronda-born painter, and the Municipal Historical Museum of Villamartín (23 km) covers that town's past.