El Pinsapar Trail

About El Pinsapar Trail

El Pinsapar is the best-known walk in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and crosses its Zona de Reserva, the most strictly protected area. The waymarked PR-A 347 follows the cool north face of the Sierra del Pinar, home to one of the largest forests of pinsapo, the Spanish fir (Abies pinsapo). This tree, up to about 30 m tall, grows wild only here, in the Sierra de las Nieves and in Sierra Bermeja.

The trail starts at Las Canteras (Los Areneros), a car park with about 50 spaces 2–3 km from Grazalema on the CA-9104 towards Zahara. A steep climb through pines reaches the Puerto de las Cumbres (about 1,285 m), facing El Torreón. The path then contours west through the fir forest and descends past the Puerto del Pinar to Benamahoma (475 m). Allow 4 h 30 min, with about 200 m of ascent and 800 m of descent on stony paths.

A free permit is compulsory: book online with the Junta de Andalucía up to about two months ahead (passport number needed) or via the El Bosque visitor centre (956 709 733). From 1 June to 15 October, for fire risk, entry is only with authorised guides and only on the eastern section. Guided walks (e.g. Aventuras Proema) start from about €20. Buses from Benamahoma are few: plan a taxi or a second car. No water on the route.

Best from mid-October to May; snow is possible in winter. Bring 2 litres of water and boots with grip. Tip: an out-and-back from Las Canteras into the forest avoids the long descent.

El Pinsapar Trail in pictures

What you’ll find

• Car parkParkingFree
• Guided activityGuide or instructor (€20)Book
• HikingWalking routeFree
• Linear routeOne-way trailFree
• Permit requiredAccess permitBook
• ViewpointScenic viewpointFree

Nearby places to visit

Grazalema village (Grazalema, 2 km) has bars, the park information office and taxis for the return from Benamahoma. Across the Puerto de las Palomas, the Garganta Verde (5 km) is a 400 m-deep gorge with its own permit path. The ridge above the forest carries the El Torreón Ascent (5 km) to the highest summit in Cádiz, and the Río Majaceite Trail (8 km) starts in Benamahoma, where this walk ends. Villaluenga del Rosario (8 km), the highest village in the province, is home to the Queso Payoyo dairy (8 km), known for its goat's and sheep's cheeses.