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Gaucín, 626 meters above sea level, is the most western point of
the Serranía de Ronda, Penibética. Some of its peaks are
than 2000 meters high, and it is crossed by the Genal, Guadiaro (River
of gold, so-called by pre-Roman inhabitants) and Hozgarganta rivers.
Gaucín is a natural lookout point from which one can see the
Campo de Gibraltar, Algeciras, the Straits and Africa.
The township of Gaucín borders
- to the northeast, Cortes de la Frontera
- to the east, the Sierra Bermeja mountains
- to the west, Jimena de la Frontera (Cádiz)
- to the south, Casares and the Sierra Crestellina
HOW TO GET HERE
ROADS:
Manilva/Sabinillas - approx. 30-35 minute drive from the coastal
(N-340) and about a 25-30 minute drive from the new A-7 toll road exit
at Manilva.
Ronda - approx. 45 minutes
Algeciras - approx. 1 hour
Ronda/Jerez - approx. 2 hours
AIRPORTS:
Malaga - approx. 1 ½ hours
Gibraltar - approx. 1 hour
Sevilla - approx. 2 ½ hours
TRAIN:
Gaucin train station is at Colmenar, about a ½ hour drive from
the village. Trains leave several times a day to both coastal and
inland stops.
BUS:
There are buses from Ronda and Algeciras.
CLIMATE
Gaucín´s benign climate, due to its
maritime influence, distinguishes it from other pueblos in the Ronda
mountains, which are colder in winter and hotter in summer. Maximum
temperature is in the low 30´s, and the minimum rarely reaches 0.
Medium annual temperature is 12 degrees and rainfall is 732.5 liters.
There has been a snowfall twice in the last century.
FLORA
Many varieties of oak, chestnuts, almonds, St.
John´s bread (algarrobo), poplars, elms, willows and pines grow
in abundance. Thriving fruit trees include the pomegranate, quince, and
fig. Herbs of astounding variety and an exuberance of wildflowers make
Gaucín a favored destination for plant lovers.
ZOOLOGY
Mammals: foxes and wild cats, mongoose, martens,
badgers, weasels, moles and porcupines, bats, and wild boar inhabit the
countryside.
Birds: Gaucín is a major point for the transit
of migratory birds. Full-time dwellers include many varieties of
raptors, nightingales, partridge and quail, martins, doves, carpenter
birds, etc.
LOS ALCORNOCALES NATIONAL PARK
Los Alcornocales Park, which
borders the township of Gaucín, is the largest, oldest and
greatest forest in Europe. 1,092,565 specimens of cork oaks
(alcornoques) and over 250,000 gall oaks cover 168,661 hectares. It is
a remnant of the great forest that covered the whole of Spain before
they began cutting it down in the 16th century to provide wood for the
sailing ships. Every tree produces more than nine kilos of oxygen a
day, and absorbs six of carbon dioxide; thus, the forest is a giant
green lung. Deer, wild boar, Spanish ibex and a variety of raptors are
among the many fauna native to the forest.
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