Hi Kaudrey and other Ronda Hikers,

We're spending several days in Ronda, in part to do some hiking. We often use sticks (treking poles..I think they're called) to aid us in hikes. Did you have one with you when you hiked in Ronda area? Did you wish you had? Do you think it's worth the suitcase space?

Thanks for the help,
oopsy

We did a fairly long hike outside of Nerja, and a few small hikes around Ronda. We didn't have poles with us, but they would have been handy. Natural sticks are hard to come by. However a lot of the shops sell locally carved walking sticks for a few dollars.

I cannot recommend poles too highly.

Many of the better walks in the area have very, very, steep ascents (for which you don't really need poles) but equally steep descents, on winding paths where poles are close to a life-saver.

If you have the kind of pole that screws apart, it takes up next to no case space.

Last year, the one member of our party in these hills who arrived without poles needed to create one for himself within a km of the first day's start. He undoubtedly suffered from poor equipment.

Hi oopsy,

The short hikes that I did were steep because they were up and down the gorge. I didn't have a walking stick and had to grab branches or trees on occasion, but I was fine.

I think it really depends on how much hiking you intend to do. The hikes up and down the cliff are pretty short, it's not like I was hiking all day, so that probably makes a difference.

I think if you have the kind that are light and compact and you have room, bring them. But if not, you'll probably be OK without them.

I hike with my Dad a lot in NH and he has a trekking pole while I don't, and I seem to manage. It also depends on whether or not you have strong knees and leg muscles, I think. If you have knee trouble that would lead me to suggesting you bring them. But my knees never bother me when I hike, and I have a good pair of hiking shoes.

Sorry this doesn't really help. I think you are probably going to hike more than I did.

Karen

Thanks for the feedback folks. The reminders of steepness are particularly useful...I can get sore knees. I think we'll pack our collapsibles!

oopsy