Escape the heat and come to Andalucia while the days are still warm and sunny but its cool enough to indulge in some serious walking. The hills around the house are an absolute walker's dream, a wild, empty and rugged landscape, with mountains, olive groves and holm oaks and not a soul in sight.
Set out right from the door with a breakfast picnic and plenty of water, a fully charged mobile, a decent pair of trainers or walking boots and a warm layer, just in case.
Head straight up into the hills, following the road until it peters out into a track with a house on your right and a holm oak to your left. Keep going until you hit a wide track running perpendicular to what is now a thin little track. Once on this track you can head left towards the mountains in the distance (you will have fantastic views) or right for a lush, verdant, almost jungle like experience filled with birdsong.
Stop for a picnic as soon as you find a decent spot, for the best views, head left when you hit the track and see if you can spot the house in amongst the olives.
As you follow the track as it twists and turns around the hills you will be rewarded with stunning views of the mountains but for those of you who also like to keep their eyes on the ground, you will see wild thyme and rosemary, myrtle, wild fennel and many other culinary delights. Do not be tempted to eat an olive straight from the tree, I tried it and have never forgotten it!
In spring, the land is green and full of flowers, in autumn, a golden hue with spectacular dried grasses. The light is incredible and the views are something else.
You can walk for miles, up and up, or walk until you meet a track running back down that will take you back to a proper road running to the right of some almond groves. Take a left and keep going past our closest bodega, Joaquin Fernández then follow the road back to the house.
Having burnt off a few calories head to Frank's for lunch at El Muelle de Arriate, the old station at Arriate and enjoy a slap up meal in the sun on the terrace or, if it has cooled down, inside by the fire.
Tomorrow you can discover a new route through the hills, look at Google maps in satelite mode and you can see a network of tracks and trails. Or you can follow the walking posts with red stripes on them that encourage folk to set out from nearby Ronda and head for the hills. Whichever route you choose, you will be rewarded by some of the best walking experiences you could dream of.
