Planning a driving trip from Malaga to Murcia to Albacete to Ciudad Real then south to Tavira (Portugal coast) and back around via Cadiz. We actually hope to avoid all of those cities.
Instead we are looking for back, back roads that lead to small towns and villages where we can get a cheap clean hostal. Along the way we hope to do a fair bit of hiking, if there are trails nearby. If you are familiar with any parts of this route and can offer suggestions, surely would like to hear from you. We�d really like to avoid �touristy� places. We will be travelling late March early April.

Please post your suggestions here.

Thanks
Joe

Hello, what a beautiful trip you plan!! But you are not very specific, you can do many alternative itineraries. Between Malaga and Murcia, along the coast, I can recommend doing the interior route along the white villages of Granada, mountaind narrow roads...beautiful. The coast of Almer�a, Cabo de Gata, some still virgin beaches wher you can do nudism, the desert of Tabernas with incredible gravel roads -some of them really dangerous- (you will think you are in the moon)

Before Murcia try some diving in Cabo de Palos (if you are advanced divers there�s some deep sunken ships and a natural reserve only for divers), and of course the best "arroz Caldero" a kind of paella, at the small port.

Don�t miss the vegetable tapas in Murcia and the old casino with the XIXth century dancing halls
-members only, you�ll have to sneak in...-

Buy some cuchillos or navajas in Albacete, he he he. The cheapest ever road restaurant is in Villar de Chinchilla, where you can have a 3-course-lunch with lamb chops for less tha 6 � (maybe the owner died...or bankrupted)


Dont forget to visit Las Tablas de Daimiel national park. Binoculars a must. For bird watching.Specially all kinds of ducks and migratory water birds.
Las lagunas de Ruidera is an enchanting route, not so visited at this time of the year. Avoid weekends...lots of connected cascades along the river for several Km. You can have a smwimm if you dare!

Ciudad Real you can pass quickly to concentrate in Extremadura, which I highly recommend. Nowhere like Extremadura in Europe! Guadalupe, a must, lonely and beatiful landscapes, Don�t miss the "touristic" places like Trujillo, Plasencia, Monfrag�e natural park, Caceres -the old city- and M�rida. Not in vain are declared World Heritage... and try to cross the province of C�ceres towards Portugal, not via Badajoz, but vi Valencia de alcantara. You will enjoy some of the most beauiful and peaceful ladscapes I have ever seen.
Once the border crossed, climb up to Marvao, the medieval little village from where you can still see Spain.

Ups! I am afraid I made it to long...well, if you need some more details, just ask.

One latest recommendation: the road guide book: "Gu�a de la naturaleza espa�ola" (road guide to Spanish nature), by Cosme Morillo will be of extreme help to you. Sold in mayor bookshops (El Corte Ingl�s, Casa del Libro, FNAC...)

Enjoy your trip!!!!! and write back to tell us about it

Wow! Thanks! You have given me a lot to think about and I have printed out your reply.
Two of the places you mentioned, we have already been to: Las Tablas de Damiel and Marvao (although we may go back)
I am particularly interested in the back roads that you talk about and right now I am concentrating on the area west of Hellin (albacete) which seems to have lots of hiking.
I am trying to learn more about extremadura and looking for those small towns by the side of rivers or in the mountains, suitable for long hikes.
Thanks again for your reply! It is terrific!
JOe

Hello Jursano,
You might already be aware, but just in case... west of Hell�n, there is aplace you cannot miss: Los Chorros del Mundo, a gret cascade coming straight out of the mountain from a cave. Along the scenery road from Elche de la Sierra to Alcaraz you will find the village F�bricas de Riopar, go 6 km towards Siles and you will find the signs to Los Chorros.

It will possibly be very nice at this time of the year: plenty of water & few visitors

at the top of Puerto del Arenal there is a camping area (not a camping, so don�t expect any services) and from there there is some hiking trails along the top of the mountain.

You can possibly reach the entrance of the cave that comes out on the other side vomiting the powerful Chorro, but be careful, it is a karstic area. If you are crazy about diving speleology (don�t know the technical name in English, sorry) you could possibly find an expert who guides you along -so they say- one of the most beautiful and dangerous caves with a live river inside.

Otherwise...just enjoy fresh air and gorgeus landscape

And regarding Extremadura....uffff!!!! so many places!!!! all Extremadura is so beautiful that it is difficult to recommend one or two places... some tips:
If you like birdwatcing and enjoy the huge avutardas stay alert between Trujillo and Caceres.

Museo Vogel (I think this is the right spell ) just some km. away from Caceres along the road to Malpartida (or Valencia de Alcantara) a crazy open air museum with astonishing stuff "sculpted" among huge rocks where the storks have now their nests, a beautiful walk in the sorroundings of an old lavadero de lana (wool washing centre)

Pay attention to the names of the villages, even the smallest could be the ones taht name huge cities in all America...(i.e. Santa Cruz de la Sierra, maybe no more than 100 peopple nowadays...and one of the largest towns in Bolivia. Nice walks in la sierra, by this village)

I will try to think of sth else. Have a nice trip!!! (sure you will have... :jeje: )

This is terrific information on the sierra de segura region. I appreciate the exact detail that you have provided. I am printing out your post and really hope to go to some of those places which I had already planned on doing but now -- even more so.
Thanks again to everyone (Ps I don't leave until March 20 so keep the info coming if you something to add.)
Joe

Hey Joe! I am impressed after seing all the photos at your website . It made me feel like going to Muskoka at once!!!
Congratulations for such a nice website!

Well thank you for saying so. Muskoka basically serves as the tourist area for Torontonians. We are a 4 season playground in Central Ontario, Canada. Are you writing from Madrid?