Friday, March 18, 2011

5 tips to ensure blister free walks

In order to fully enjoy your walking, whether low level walking, hill walking or mountaineering, it is important to avoid the formation of blisters. Here are 5 tips to ensure blister free walks:

1) Wear proper walking socks adapted to the time of year – they will have extra padding where needed to ensure comfort and protection from blister prone areas of your feet. Winter walking socks will keep your feet nice and warm and comfortable in winter and summer walking socks will keep your feet nice and dry with their moisture wicking properties. If your feet are extra sensitive, you can also get anti-blister walking socks which are double layered to reduce friction and therefore prevent blisters. Never wear tube socks though!



2) Wear correct walking shoes suited to the type of walking you are doing: light weight and flexible walking boots or shoes for low level walking (normally low cut). More rigid ones with medium ankle supports for hill walking/trekking. And high-cut boots offering all round high levels of support and duress for mountaineering.


3) Ensure correct size and fit for your new walking boots: always try new walking shoes with a pair of your walking socks since walking socks are bulkier than normal socks. With your boot fully laced up, stand up and your foot should feel comfortable, supported and snug but not tight or pinched in the boot. Then walk around the shop and make sure your toes don’t touch the front of the walking boot, your foot doesn’t move around in the shoe and that your heel doesn’t lift up from the sole. Then, unlace the walking boot and slide your foot as far forward as possible in the boot so that your toes touch the front of the boot; you should be able to place your finger between your heel and the heel of the boot with just a little friction. This is to ensure there is enough clearance at the front of the walking boot when walking downhill as feet normally slide forward in the boot, especially if you are carrying a heavy rucksack. If your finger cannot slide into the gap, then the boot is too small. By the way, never wear brand new walking shoes on a long walk without having broken them in beforehand!


4) If you have a very long and steep descent ahead of you, you can tighten a little bit more your laces at the front of your walking shoes (not too tight that your foot is uncomfortable or pinched and that it is cutting your blood circulation though!) to avoid your toes hitting the front of your shoes when your feet slide forward in the boot. Don’t forget to undo your laces and tighten them normally again once the descent is finished!


5) It is also advisable to take with you blister care products such as special second skin plasters. Nowadays, there are wonderful products available to prevent blisters and to treat and relieve blister pain instantly if you do get some despite of all the care and precautions taken.

And to find out how to relieve and relax tired aching feet after a hard day’s walking, visit Sara’s Blog
Treat your feet!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Ronda - Estación de Benaoján walk description

Time: approx. 2/3 hours
Ascent: approx. 350 meters

Descent: approx. 300 meters
Distance: approx. 10 km
Walking level: easy
Time of the year: avoid in hot weather as there is no shade.
Best time for wild flowers: January to beginning of June
Starting point: Wide open square of the Barrio San Francisco, Ronda (parking spaces available around it most of the time)


Leave the wide open square of the Barrio San Francisco and the old walls of Ronda (and mini round-about) behind you and walk up the Calle Torrejones (A369 road) signposted for the Camping El Sur (it is also the old road to Algeciras/Atajate).


View Larger Map

Keep walking up, past residential areas until you see a big pink sign indicating La Virgen de la Cabeza. Turn right here and the road forks immediately. Ignore the road on the right going to La Virgen de la Cabeza and take the road on the left. Follow this road down amongst olive and almond groves and keep going downhill.

The road will turn into a dirt track and will fork: ignore the track bearing to the left signposted in blue – this is the walk called “los amanisco” (linear walk), and continue downhill on the wider track bearing right.


Stay on this main track now which will go over 2 passes with meadows on either side. After the first pass, the track will go downhill and up again and you will come to a farm gate. Take the little path to the right of the gate (crossing a river bed - dry most of the time) and follow the path going up in between 2 fences. When at the top of the second pass, you will have great views over Ronda and its famous New Bridge behind you and of the Guadiaro Valley and the village of Benaoján in front of you.


Follow the track downhill with fields either side of you. Watch out for the Sexima Tower, also called Arabs tower (a vigil and protection tower used by the Moors during the Catholic Re-conquest - Ronda was taken in 1485) silhouetted in the distance on the left hand side. You will also be able to see your destination, the village of Estación de Benaoján, an extension of Benaoján which sprung up around the then newly built train station when the Bobadilla-Algeciras train line was constructed (1850). 

Just after reaching a derelict building on the left hand side and a garden on the right, go through the pedestrian little gate to the left of the main gate (well, chain and make shift gate) and continue downhill on the track. Walk round the next “chained fence”. The track turns to tarmac and reaches the main ronda-Banaoján road. At the road, turn left, and before you reach the bridge, take the little path on the left, behind the Armco barriers. And turn left again almost immediately taking the little path going downhill under the trees. You will shortly reach a track.


If you want to have lunch in a cute place and visit the Cueva del Gato, the longest cave complex in Andalucía, turn right, under the road bridge, and follow this path along the river Guadiaro, cross a dry river bed and walk to the right of the Hotel 4 Paradas where the path continues right behind it (don’t go through the gates), and follow the path cobbled in places, along the river until you reach the second hotel/restaurant Cueva del Gato. To see the entrance of the caves with its lovely lagoon, go across the bridge (might still be in a bad state of repair but still passable after last year's floods). Turn back to get to Estación de Benaoján. It normally takes 30 minutes to walk from the bridge to Cueva del Gato.


If you prefer to go to directly to Estación de Benaoján, turn left on the track and follow it along the river, ignoring tracks on your left. At the little bridge (start of the Estación de Benaoján-Estación de Jimera de Libar walk), turn right, cross the bridge and walk up the road leading to the railway crossing, cross it, turn right to get to the train station and there are 2 “bar/restaurants” there. Or turn left and follow signs for Hotel Molino del Santo, if you fancy a gourmet meal by a babbling stream (only 5 minutes away).


Train times departures (journey only takes 20 minutes)
Benaoján to Ronda: 8.27 / 13.11 / 17.16 / 20.24 (not Saturday or Sunday)
Ronda to Benaoján: 07.30 (not Saturday or Sunday) / 09.15 / 16.16 / 19.49

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Saturday, March 5, 2011

List of what to bring when walking in the Serranía de Ronda, Andalucia

When going on a walking holiday in the Serranía de Ronda, Andalucía, it is important to pack all the key items which will enable you to enjoy fully your walking holiday. Here is bellow a list of the items that are in my opinion essential to bring with you: 

Essential items for all seasons

√ Worn in walking boots (you will be more likely to get blisters with brand new boots)
√ Walking/hiking socks (goog quality socks adapted to the time of the year you will be walking will keep you nice and comfortable)
√ Water bottle (always have plenty of water with you as you can easily get dehydrated even in winter)
√ Light weight day pack (a must to carry all your essentials)
√ Walking stick if you normally use one
√ Lightweight trousers for comfortable walking in all terrain (some walks can be overgrown with long grasses and thorny bushes so wearing trousers will protect your legs from scratches and unwanted bugs such as ticks)
√ Travel insurance including hill walking (For great value for money and flexible Travel insurance policies, visit Walking holiday travel insurance)
√ European card (for European travellers)

Spring and early autumn

√ Light clothes for warm, sunny days
√ Warm clothes for coold days and cooler evenings (evenings always cool down a lot in the Serranía de Ronda)
√ Lightweight waterproof jacket for the occasional showers

Summer

√ Hat √ Sun cream
√ Swimwear √ Sun glasses for sensitive eyes
√ Sandals for “afterwalking”
√ Light fleece only if you are staying in the Alto Genal Valley as nights can sometime be a little chilly (very refreshing after the heat of the day!)


Late autumn and winter

√ Warm clothes, ie fleece, thermal tops, etc.. (Even though Andalucía is thought to be warm and sunny all year round, it can get very cold in late autumn/winter especially at higher altitudes such as in the Sierra de las Nieves)
√ Warm hat (to use especially at high altitudes such as in the Sierra de las Nieves)
√ Gloves (same as above)
√ Waterproof jacket
√ Waterproof trousers
√ Light clothes for warm, sunny days, such as T-shirts...

Whatever the season you are walking in the Serranía de Ronda, it is best to use the concept of layering clothing, with base layers such as thermal tops or T-shirts, mid-layers such as fleece tops and outer-layers such as waterproof jackets. Here is a link to an interesting article about Learning to layer clothing.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Cultural spring walking holiday in Andalucia

For lady walkers who enjoy sightseeing, we have designed a special cultural walking holiday in Andalucia for women only for this spring.


As well as 4 guided walks in incredibly diverse scenery and 1 guided tour of the delightful town of Ronda so rich in history, we will take you on a day trip to visit the Acinipo, an old Roman settlement with its well preserved theater and breathtaking panoramic views, and Setenil, a very unusual semi troglodytic white village built in its riverbed rocks.


We believe in not rushing, therefore you will be able to visit at your leisure the many beautiful sights of interest that the Serrania de Ronda has to offer. 


Combining walks, cultural visits and delicious local cuisine, you will have a great insight in the culture and history of this beaufitul part of Andalucia while enjoying a relaxing, stress free holiday. 


Details of this Cultural spring walking holiday in Andalucia are the following:


Extended walking holiday dates:
16th to 23rd May 2011


Holiday type:
Women only cultural walking holiday


Cultural walking holiday prices:
Double occupancy: 708 € (approx. £599)
Single occupancy: 877 € (approx. £752)


Prices include:

- Airport transfer (Malaga airport) and all transport
- Welcome drink 
- 7 nights in luxurious hotel accommodation (single or double occupancy) - 1/2 board (breakfast and dinner),
- 4 guided stunning walks at your own pace in a small friendly group in the Serranía de Ronda, one of the best area for walking in Andalucía.
- 1 guided tour of Old Ronda rich in Moorish history
- 1 sightseeing day to the Acinipo and Setenil.
- The opportunity to treat yourself to relaxing wellbeing therapies on offer for total relaxation.


For further information or to book your Cultural spring walking holiday, do email us now!