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Sports
Adventure sports
If you want to enjoy the countryside in more daring ways, then this is the ideal location. Andalusia offers a host of adventure sports so that you can enjoy a different kind of holiday, in stunning surroundings, under the watchful eye of professionals on hand to help at all times.
There are active sports available in the water and air, on land and snow. Even if you are travelling with children you will find specialist companies organising this type of sports for the little ones; there are also camps where they can spend a few days discovering and enjoying nature.
On land: 4x4 routes, biking, horse riding, canyoning, climbing, caving, guided excursions and visits, paintball, quad biking, hiking and bird watching routes. Or, just go skiing on one of our excellent pistes.
On the water: whale watching, scuba diving, white water rafting, kayaking, boat trips, windsurfing and kitesurfing.
In the air: hang-gliding, skydiving, paragliding and hot air ballooning.
You can practise all these sports with full safety measures, specialised guides, suitable equipment, and always with respect for nature. There are many adventure tourism companies offering full packages including accommodation, sports programmes for beginners or more experienced customers, the corresponding insurance, necessary equipment and transfers to the location.
A different kind of holiday for adventurous travellers.
Both of these forms of gliding make use of the thermal air currents caused by the warming of air masses.
Abás Ibn Firnas, a humanist, scientist and chemist from Malaga, invented the hang-glider, which has permitted distances of nearly 1,000 kilometres to be covered by making use of thermal air currents. These enable the pilot to soar for hours and perform different types of acrobatics.
Paragliding emerged as a sport in the late Seventies, when two mountaineers used their parachutes to glide down from a peak they had just climbed.
Where to practise them
Andalusia's many mountains offer a host of options for both hang-gliding and paragliding.
Many of the specialist schools to be found around the eight provinces of Andalusia organise courses for beginners and more expert pilots alike.
El Bosque, Almuñécar, Sierra de Lújar and Sierra Morena are some of the places where you can try this amazing sport in the midst of stunning natural surroundings.
Precautions
It is important to know the weather conditions, especially the wind speed and direction, as well as the terrain you will be flying over.
For paragliding you need to find mountainous terrain to climb, for subsequent take-off. You then let yourself be carried in the prevailing wind direction on the descent.
Another good idea is to draw up a flight plan beforehand and then try to keep to it. You also need to check the state of your equipment and make sure you do exactly what experienced pilots tell you.
Necessary equipment
The essential equipment for hang-gliding comprises a harness, helmet, emergency parachute and a double safety harness attachment.
For paragliding you will need a suitable flying helmet, a harness, preferably with protection for the back, an emergency parachute, boots with extra protection for your ankles, and suitable, comfortable clothing such as a flight suit and a pair of gloves.
This equipment can be completed by maps of the area, a compass and an emergency flare, as well as food and water.
This concept encompasses a broad range of sports practised either in specific facilities or outdoors. The most popular activities are as follows:
Tyrolean traverse: this consists of sliding along a rope or steel cable from one point to another point at a lower height. The rope therefore has to be anchored to two points at different heights.
Abseiling: this is a form of descent in which you slide your body along a rope, which is secured to an anchor.
Tibetan bridge: this involves crossing a chasm by moving along three ropes, two for your hands and one for your feet. An excellent physical condition, stamina and a sense of balance are required for this dangerous sport.
Archery: the object of this sport is to fire arrows at a target. The closer your arrow lands to the bull's eye at the centre of the target, the higher the score.
Gymkhana: games involving numerous competitions such as avoiding obstacles, races, various skills tests, etc.
Paintball: this is a game of strategy in which the participants use markers activated by compressed air, CO2 or other gases to fire small balls of paint at other players.
Where to go multi adventure activities
Andalusia offers numerous settings for practising these activities outdoors. However, there are also a vast number of facilities and companies around the region that provide a broad range of multi-adventure services.
Precautions
To avoid injuring while practising these activities, participants must do exactly what the guide tells them.
It is also important to know the weather conditions, especially if you are practising the activity outdoors.
Necessary equipment
The equipment required varies considerably for each activity, although the recommended basic items for all of them are comfortable clothing and footwear, knee and elbow pads, and a helmet.
The sport of orienteering originates from Scandinavia. It consists of visiting a certain number of points marked on the ground in the shortest possible time, using only map and compass for assistance.
These races are normally held in wooded countryside, where each participant has to demonstrate his/her sense of orientation and ability to select the best route to get to the objective.
There are currently four different orienteering disciplines: on foot, by bike, with skis and Trail-O for disabled athletes.
Where to go orienteering
The long list of countryside areas to be found in Andalusia are ideal settings for orienteering.
Specialist schools, societies and associations offer a wide variety of places to practise this beneficial activity. Besides testing your sense of orientation and map-reading skills, you can also enjoy the wonderful landscapes to be found in Andalusia.
Precautions
This is an open-air activity. Therefore you should check weather conditions for the day you are planning the go orienteering.
You should also go in a group, and avoid being alone, especially in unknown areas.
Prior information relating to the area to be visited is always a great help.
Equipment
As with all open-air activities, you should carry a survival kit for emergencies.
It is advisable to wear comfortable sportswear and shoes. Besides map and compass, your kit may also contain torch, radio and first aid supplies for emergencies.
Along with other aerial sports, skydiving is becoming ever more popular, especially with thrill-seekers.
It is a fun way to relieve tension, enjoy stunning views and feel a major adrenaline rush.
Within skydiving as a whole there are various different disciplines, such as accuracy landing, where the skydiver must try to land on a specific point, freestyle, with impressive stunts and manoeuvres, and sky surf, which uses a board similar to a snowboard attached to the feet. The common element is the jump, which can be done from an aeroplane, helicopter or hot air balloon.
The most expert jumpers do formation flight ("big-ways"). This requires greater precision, a great deal of training and practice, as well as precise teamwork.
Where to go skydiving
Andalusia is an ideal destination for this sport, where you can enjoy the wonderful sensation of flight and stunning views on the way down.
Specialist schools offer the necessary services and requirements to get started in this sport or to perfect your technique. They also have information on the most suitable jump sites.
Both Andalusia's large stretches of coastline and its inland mountains are ideal destinations for adventure sports in general and, more specifically, skydiving.
Precautions
Skydiving requires you to be in good physical and mental condition.
You should also tell your instructor if you have recently given blood or been scuba diving. In this case you should wait a few days before jumping, or let the instructor take the necessary measures.
If you do not have experience or an official skydiving license, you should go to a skydiving school or professional training centre, where they will give you the necessary information and equipment to jump in complete safety.
Necessary equipment
Skydiving requires only basic equipment. It comprises jumpsuit, harness, safety helmet, goggles and gloves.
It is, of course, advisable to wear comfortable sportswear and shoes.
Hot air ballooning is the oldest form of human flight. It consists of aerial navigation using aerostats - apparatus that are lighter than air.
The best-known aerostat is the hot air balloon, which has been used from the very first flights through to the present day. All that has changed are the materials used and piloting techniques, thus improving the safety and comfort of this means of transport.
Balloon flight is highly recommended for its serene yet exciting nature. Aerostats fly only under the force of air currents. They have a base, normally a wicker basket, attached to a bag-shaped canvass made of fireproof fabric.
Since hot air ballooning began as a sport in the 1970s, it has been growing constantly, with more and more people wanting to live this incredible experience.
Where to go air hot balloning
Due to growing demand, there are more and more leisure and adventure companies offering balloon flights as one of their services.
You can fly all over Andalusia. There is no age limit and you can get to altitudes of more than 1,000 metres.
It is one of many original ways to enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Region of Andalusia. With this adventure sport, Andalusia offers you a new, stunning perspective.
Precautions
This is an outdoor sport, and furthermore it depends on air currents. Therefore you should have the relevant meteorological information to ensure a successful flight and avoid any unforeseen accidents.
You are also recommended to get information on the company to be used for the balloon flight, and to be sure that it meets the official safety requirements for this activity.
This activity is not, of course, recommend for people with vertigo or any other height-related illness.
Necessary equipment
The only requirement for ballooning is to wear comfortable clothing and footwear. These should be warm enough according to the time of year.
You could also take hat, sunglasses and sun cream.
One of the most exciting ways to experience nature is caving. This sport consists of the exploration and study of caverns.
Deep marine caves, hidden caverns, dark labyrinths, narrow fissures... an underground world, home to all kinds of caves where you can explore and discover secrets of the past.
Caving is an activity carried out as a group, with a spirit of adventure and investigation. To practise the sport in safety, it requires some level of physical and mental training.
There are different branches of caving, depending on the cavern to be entered. One of these is limestone caving, that takes place in caves carved out by water or ice flow. If the caving takes place mainly underwater, then this is known as cave diving, while volcanic caving takes place in caverns formed by lava flows.
The underground world can be home to weird and wonderful places, which also tell us a great deal about the origins of our life and world. Places that hide secrets of the past, which can sometimes help us to understand the present. However, beneath our feet there is also darkness and silence that can be disconcerting, frightening, and even dangerous without the proper preparation.
Hidden underground caves have been a shelter for other civilisations and cultures, as well as a source of different materials, remains and species. This makes caving an interesting activity for geologists, archaeologists, anthropologists and other scientists - the underground world becomes a kind of laboratory.
Where to go caving
There are many areas where you can go caving across the varied landscapes of Andalusia.
Some of the most popular sites in the province of Malaga, for example, are the Hundidero-Gato Crossing, an old subterranean river course, Gaduares, El Republicano Cave and El Agua Cave.
Another top destination for cavers is Cacao Cave, with a total depth of 80 metres. It opens out onto a descending gallery and another shaft that leads to the GIEX hall. It is the longest vertical cave in the province of Cadiz.
In Granada province, meanwhile, there are places to discover and investigate such as the caves at Ventanas de Piñar, which is one of the most popular.
Igualeja, Ronda, Castril, Quesada, Sorbas and Nerja are some of the towns and villages with caving sites nearby.
There are various schools and associations that organise courses and excursions to visit these sites, always with the support of professionals with full hydro-geological knowledge of the area.
Precautions
As with any adventure sport, you should have certain knowledge and technique.
Before setting out to new sites, you should of course get to know the area, topography, hydrography and climate to avoid risks and carry out the activity with a certain degree of safety.
Besides climbing and abseiling techniques, you should also practise teamwork with the other cavers to help one another and make cave exploration easier and safer.
You should get complete equipment for the activity, and check that each element is in good condition, meeting the official safety requirements. If material is used frequently for caving, it may become worn and cease to work effectively.
Experts also recommend that caving be done without rushing, not only to increase safety, but also to be able to enjoy this amazing, exciting experience to the full.
Necessary equipment
Caving requires a series of elements that make up the specific equipment.
The basic elements required to get started in this sport are: helmet with necessary illumination, SRT harness (different to climbing harness, with lower anchorage point), maillons, recommended for use with SRT rope, minimum 9mm diameter, as well as ascending and descending devices such as jammers, crolls, shunts, footloops and cows' tails.
Clothing is complemented by interior and exterior caving suits to protect against damp and cold, Wellington boots and rubber gloves, which should be strong and waterproof.
The quality and design of all elements depend on the tastes and needs of each caver. For added security we would also recommend you take spare equipment where possible.
Canyoning is another outdoor adventure activity with a certain degree of risk. It combines elements and techniques of caving and mountaineering.
It is a semi-water sport comprising descent of a canyon or gorge, overcoming different natural obstacles that may be more or less complicated.
Following the canyon terrain, you cross everything from rocks to narrow passes, passing stunning waterfalls, natural water slides, vertical sections requiring techniques such as abseiling, and fun jumps from dizzy heights.
According to the area chosen, canyoning can be tried for different levels, starting with easier areas without the need to climb and where water is not too abundant. As the level of difficulty increases, there will be abseiling sections and climbs with easy, low jumps into calm water where you can swim.
Seven is the highest level on the scale - extremely difficult - and contains very steep walls and an abundance of water, spectacular waterfalls with strong currents and awkward obstacles requiring greater experience and technique.
Where to go canyoning
Canyoning offers spectacular sensations and is a unique, unforgettable experience.
These sensations will vary according to where you go canyoning. Andalusia has stunning locations where you can enjoy the countryside and this exciting experience.
Some of the most popular sites for tourists and canyoning enthusiasts are, for example, Verde Gorge in the Grazalema Nature Reserve, Cadiz province, or Verde River Canyon in the province of Granada, along with the Guadalmina River in Benahavís, Malaga.
These are just a few examples from the array of luxuriant green landscapes in Andalusia's eight provinces. Stunning vertical walls, rock formations, impressive canyons, watercourses that form wonderful sites for jumps and amazing descents... There are hundreds of opportunities to be found throughout Andalusia, with hidden, natural paradise locations of great beauty.
Precautions
It is vital to know how to swim to go canyoning. You also need basic knowledge of how to handle ropes and anchoring points.
You should have basic knowledge of first aid, especially for treating surface wounds caused by falls or grazes.
It is also necessary to know specific techniques and to have suitable physical preparation, given that this sport requires strength and a certain degree of agility.
To get started you should try in easy locations, where you will find easier jumps and less steep descents, allowing you to practise technique and gain confidence with the terrain and with yourself.
We suggest you go with a guide who knows the area where you will be starting out, at least until you have sufficient knowledge and experience to operate yourself with ease and precision.
Necessay equipment
The equipment you need for canyoning is quite similar to that required in other kinds of mountain and adventure sports.
A wetsuit is vital for canyoning to keep you warm. A regulation helmet is also vital for safety.
Use of rubber, PVC or neoprene gloves will help you avoid rope burns when abseiling. You need to use a harness, ropes, karabiners, anchor points and descent equipment to control speed and safety on the way down.
You can also use a plastic rucksack to carry any items you need for the outing.
Mountain bikes are specially designed for riding in the mountains and over rugged terrain. The specific characteristics of their components make these bikes more resilient, with suspension to make impacts gentler.
An initial design for riding on more rugged terrain has turned into an ample sporting and competitive discipline classified according to the terrain type. Some of these are: cross-country, downhill, freeride and trial.
Mountain biking as an adventure sport and leisure activity is highly enjoyable, and allows you to explore interesting routes in contact with nature, using a machine as healthy and environmentally friendly as the bicycle.
It is another interesting way to discover the hidden corners of Andalusia's geography.
Where to go mountain biking
Andalusia has a wealth of countryside areas, and is therefore ideal for a range of biking routes.
There are many associations and organisations that organise biking routes to stunning areas of countryside, with a range of different durations and difficulties.
Sierra Nevada, The Alpujarra, Sierra Cabrera and Vejer are just some of the ideal areas for mountain biking. Here there are many routes organised, with experienced guides, where you can discover some of the most beautiful places in the Region of Andalusia.
Precautions
Mountain biking is not excessively difficult for people who already know how to ride a bike. However, given the difficulty of some routes, it is often a good idea to check the route for difficulties first on foot before you set off by bike.
Of course, you need to be in good physical condition for the route, and be able to get over any obstacles on the way.
As with any other outdoor activity, we would recommend you check the weather forecast - changes in the weather can make the ride difficult or even dangerous.
You should ride with care, especially over the most rugged sections, which may have unexpected, dangerous obstacles. You should pay close attention to the trail and be able to react quickly in case of unforeseen situations, especially when riding downhill or where there is dense vegetation.
Necessary equipment
Mountain biking requires only basic equipment. Besides comfortable sportswear, you should wear a helmet and suitable footwear for pedalling.
You can also take a rucksack to carry food and drink, as well as first aid kit, bicycle pump and basic tools for any repairs necessary.
Climbing is the most popular branch of mountaineering in Andalusia. This is one of the Spanish Regions that has most promoted the sport.
Climbing is considered a dangerous sport and is done on steep mountains and rock walls. Climbers make use of hands and feet, along with physical and mental strength.
There are various types of climbing, such as free climbing, traditional climbing, indoor wall climbing, ice climbing, sport climbing, urban climbing, boulder... they all require a great deal of physical preparation and intense concentration, some natural ability, specific technique and a large dose of courage.
Where to go climbing
There are ideal places for climbing to be found throughout the Region of Andalusia, according to the chosen discipline.
There are also indoor climbing walls available. They are known as "rocódromos" in Spanish and are ideal to get started in the world of climbing, or to practise when outdoor weather conditions are unsuitable.
Nevertheless, Andalusia has a wealth of outdoor spots for climbing. Teba Canyon and El Moral Cove in Malaga province, the San Bartolomé Mountains, in Cadiz, and different sites in the Sierra Nevada Mountains are just some of the most ideal settings for this sport. These are just a few examples offered by Andalusia's rich orography for all kinds of open-air sports.
Precautions
Given the risks involved in this sport, climbing requires complete control in each and every movement.
It is vital to have the required safety equipment, such as helmet, ropes, harness, etc. These make your position and progression secure.
Of course, before starting a dangerous climb up vertical walls you should train to gain the necessary knowledge and technique, and to maintain good physical condition.
Equipment
The equipment required for climbing depends on the chosen discipline.
One thing they all have in common is use of a helmet. This combines with the rest of the equipment required to constitute adequate safety material.
Climbing requires the use of harness, slings, ropes and karabiners for safety manoeuvres, magnesium powder for sweat on the hands, rockshoes (light, flexible, with good grip), and security systems to stop falls.
Climbing steep mountains is much more than a sport; for those who practise it, it is a way of life and of seeing the world in which we live. It can be addictive for those who want to reach the highest peaks, involving large doses of adrenaline, competition and challenge.
But this sport is not just about climbing mountains. There are 12 types of mountaineering, ranging from hiking to scaling the highest peaks. You will need certain equipment and materials to practise this sport, as well as a specific technique to overcome the difficulties of the terrain in safety.
Some types of mountaineering, such as scaling very high mountains, are regarded as dangerous sports; the dangers increase according to the conditions of the climate and terrain where they are practised.
Where to go mountaineering
Andalusia has a rich and varied physical geography. The mountains of Sierra Morena and the Betica Range offer stunning landscapes and excellent areas for mountaineering enthusiasts.
Besides the natural beauty spots, there are specific areas which intrepid mountaineers set themselves as targets.
This is true of peaks such as Mulhacén, 3,481 m, the highest peak on the Iberian Peninsula, and Veleta, 3,392 m. They are in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where you will find a host of options for tourism and sport.
These mountains are very popular for mountain sports, but there are others such as Cazorla which are also ideal for climbing and other kinds of mountaineering.
Precautions
One of the main requirements for mountaineering is prior knowledge of the area. You should also know the climatic and meteorological conditions. Forecasts could affect decisions regarding the climb, or might prevent you setting out at all.
You should let someone know about the route to be undertaken before departure, for your safety and to help any rescue procedures that might be necessary.
A good idea for beginners is to start practising indoors. Artificial climbing walls where you can try your skills, practise techniques and gain the necessary confidence before trying in the great outdoors.
Necessary equipment
Equipment is of course highly important for a successful climb.
Firstly you need a rucksack to carry all the equipment and materials you need. It should be strong, light and as comfortable as possible for each climb.
If you are going to practise the hardest forms of this sport, such as scaling the highest peaks, you must to have the necessary anchoring equipment for securing ropes, used both for ascent and descent: cams, karabiners and harnesses.
Suitable clothing may include a variety of shirts, gloves, glasses, helmets and trousers with large pockets, specifically designed for this activity.
Equipment should be completed by special footwear, with hard rubber soles for more support, traction and security.
Bungee jumping offers one of the most exciting experiences in the world of adventure sports. It consists of jumping from a bridge or platform connected to an elastic rope.
This sport appeared at the beginning of the 1980s and since then has become more and more popular with people looking for a real adrenaline rush. People who try it almost always want to go again - it tests your courage in a few tenths of a second - those which separate terra firma and the void.
You jump with a harness attached to the rope which is, in turn, attached to the other side of the bridge.
Although short, the sensation of freedom and the adrenaline rush are intense and electrifying.
Where to go Bungee jumping
To bungee jump you just need to find a suitable height that allows you to swing like a pendulum with your length of rope.
Any solid bridge built over a canyon, river or deep gorge is ideal for bungee jumping.
In Andalusia there are various areas where bungee jumping excursions are organised. Some of the best known are Las Navas Bridge, in Algodonales, Cadiz province; in Monda, Malaga province, and Padul Bridge in Granada province.
The organisations, schools and clubs offering this activity amongst their services know the best areas and strategic locations for bungee jumping in compete safety.
Precautions
Bungee jumping is an activity that does not require use of specific, complicated techniques.
It is a jump into the void and therefore not recommended for people with heart or nervous conditions.
Beginners are advised to jump backwards or crouching, holding onto the railing until the very last moment. With practice, once you have experienced the first sensations, you will be able to find the most comfortable posture for you.
Don't forget that you should jump outwards to avoid hitting the jump platform.
Necessary equipment
Bungee jumping requires only basic equipment: harness, karabiners, jammers and ropes.
You should wear comfortable clothing and footwear, as well as a helmet, and a life jacket and wetsuit where the jump ends in water.
Hiking or trekking is an environmentally sound sport where you can enjoy the countryside, with the chance to practise a certain level of map reading.
One of the sport's main objectives is prolonged physical activity that is not technically difficult, in contact with nature. Besides being a healthy habit, it lets you go on fun excursions in extremely beautiful areas of interest to tourists.
Hiking lets you enjoy fun walks on a range of routes signposted by the ERA (European Ramblers Association), classified according to duration and difficulty: Long-distance, Short-distance, Local trail or Urban trail.
Where to go hiking
The wide variety of landscapes to be found in Andalusia make it the ideal setting for a host of hiking routes.
There are many tracks and trails to be found throughout the Region of Andalusia, ever more popular with tourists who want to enjoy the area's flora and fauna.
Some of the most outstanding routes in Andalusia are: Pico Torrecilla and Puerto de los Pilones in the Sierra de las Nieves Mountains, both in Malaga province, as well as outings in the Sierra de Grazalema Nature Reserve (Cadiz province) and trails in the Sierra del Segura Mountains, Cazorla Nature Reserve (Jaén) and Sierra Nevada, in Granada.
Precautions
The easy nature of this activity means that there are only a few precautions to be taken.
We would recommend you go with at least one other person, and always get as much information as possible on the place to be visited. It is also a good idea to check the weather forecast - changes in the weather can make the walk difficult or even dangerous.
Although there are water fountains and places to drink on most organised routes, you should always carry some drinking water with you.
Necessary equipment
You do not need very complicated or technical equipment for hiking. You need comfortable clothing above all, with hiking boots and preferably long trousers to prevent cuts and scratches caused by vegetation.
According to the duration of the route, you should take food and provisions, as well as energy drinks, if necessary. You can also use a walking pole to provide extra support.
While it is not advisable to carry excess weight while you walk, it is a good idea to take a rucksack with practical items such as first aid kit, torch and survival kit.
Off-road vehicles came into existence at the beginning of the 20th century as war vehicles. With time they moved into the industrial and then the civil spheres. They are now considered as recreational vehicles that offer the chance to cover slippery or complicated trails.
Off-road vehicles came into existence at the beginning of the 20th century as war vehicles. With time they moved into the industrial and then the civil spheres. They are now considered as recreational vehicles that offer the chance to cover slippery or complicated trails.
They can be rented self-drive to do the route you choose, or otherwise you can use the services of a specialist company, with professional drivers who know the terrain well and can take you to the most hidden, beautiful spots you could imagine.
Off road, or 4x4, vehicles are designed to be apt for driving on rugged, complicated terrain. However, they are not indestructible and also have their limitations. As with any other vehicle, they require care and prudent manoeuvring to get the best performance out of them.
Where to go Off-road vehicles
There are many organised routes for this type of vehicles available across the varied countryside of Andalusia.
The coast of Almería, for example, is ideal, not only to enjoy the countryside, but also to find out the interesting history of the area.
Cadiz is another province with the chance to explore wild countryside, in the Sierra de Grazalema Mountains or Los Alcornocales. The Cazorla y Segura Mountains in Jaén province, or the Tejeda y Alhama Mountains, with the Verde River Valley, in Granada, are other ideal places to explore at the wheel of a 4x4.
Precautions
Before setting out on a 4x4 route you should get information on the distance to be covered to give you an idea of the amount of fuel required. You should also find out the condition of the tracks and meteorological conditions.
Don't forget to check the mechanics of the vehicle, engine and tyre condition, etc.
As with any vehicle, you should take the necessary precautions when driving, and have a valid motor insurance policy.
According to the routes chosen, the terrain may be more or less complicated, so we recommend you keep away from inaccessible areas unless you have the necessary skill and experience. Otherwise, you should use the services of a professional guide.
Necessary equipment
The equipment required for off-road excursions is limited to the vehicle itself, and the necessary safety accessories, spares, etc.
Check you have a spare wheel in good condition.
Try to take complementary items such as food and drink, camera, etc. that will make the route more enjoyable.
Andalusia's unique orography and its wealth of countryside make it ideal for all kinds of hunting.
Hunting is carried out in strict respect for nature. Thus, raising of environmental awareness amongst hunters has lead to selective hunting that aims to preserve and improve hunted species. One result of this has been the breeding of specimens for re-introduction into the wild, to regenerate and maintain different ecosystems.
In Andalusia you can hunt in authentic, characteristic ways such as Andalusian chase, boar hunting with dogs in Doñana or hare hunting in open countryside. You can also take advantage of the wealth of red partridge for drives, and there are rabbits that can be hunted with hounds.
These natural conditions for hunting can be combined with parallel activities for high-quality, alternative tourism including trips to monuments and towns and villages with a wealth of artistic treasures, the joy of discovering the customs of a region and its people, and the chance to enjoy the delicious, game-based gastronomy.
Where to go hunting
In Andalusia you will find a host of legal hunting reserves. They are called "Cotos de Caza".
From the dense northern mountains, through the immense coastal marshes, to the open countryside of Seville province and the plains of the Guadalquivir River... endless areas where you can enjoy a day's hunting surrounded by stunning landscapes.
Precautions
Before you go out hunting you should get information from the Hunting Federation of the corresponding province about established hunting grounds, regulations to be met and requirements for you to practise the sport.
All hunters should also bear in mind a series of strict regulations. Failure to do so may result in a fine, withdrawal of license and even a prison term.
Following the established regulations you will enjoy the sport and contribute to environmental conservation.
Necessary equipment
The main thing you need in order to hunt is a valid firearm license, and a suitable firearm according to the animals you wish to hunt.
There are no regulations regarding clothing, but you should wear comfortable gear that protects you from the cold and rain - sometimes you will have to remain exposed for a long time. You should also wear suitable boots or footwear for walking in the country, a waistcoat or belt for cartridges, a hat to protect your head, and any other accessory to make it easier to carry the animals hunted. A hunting knife could also be very useful.
