Lorraine Williamson
Drivers using one of the main road links between the Costa del Sol and Ronda are still facing disruption after the A-397 was closed at Igualeja because of slope instability. The closure began at 9.00 am on Friday at kilometre 26, and was still being reported as a full closure in updates published later that day.
The road is a key connection between San Pedro Alcántara and Ronda, so the closure is likely to affect weekend journeys as well as regular commuter traffic. Europa Press and El Español both reported that the problem was linked to the taludes, or slopes, beside the road.
Closure adds to wider storm-related disruption
The latest reports suggest this is not an isolated issue. El Español said several other roads in Málaga province and nearby areas also remained closed following the run of storms that have affected parts of Andalucia since early February. Those included the A-7150 in Casares, the A-7202 in Archidona, the MA-8401 in the Serranía de Ronda, the MA-8302 between Estepona and Genalguacil, the MA-6406 in Teba and the MA-7402 in Ronda, as well as the CA-8201 in La Sauceda, Cádiz province.
That broader context matters. This is not just a single local closure but part of the wider transport impact left behind by weeks of unstable weather and damage to road infrastructure in southern Spain. This is an inference based on the list of other closures cited in the reports.
What drivers need to know
As of the latest published reports, the A-397 remained fully closed at the affected point near Igualeja. Neither of the reports we checked gave a reopening time, which suggests disruption could continue until slope safety has been assessed and any urgent stabilisation work carried out.
For drivers, that means checking live traffic information before setting off is essential, especially for journeys between the coast and inland Málaga province. If you are heading towards Ronda from the Costa del Sol, or vice versa, it is worth allowing extra time and planning for diversions. The reports found did not specify an official diversion route.
A key route still under pressure
The A-397 is more than a scenic inland road. It is one of the most important links between the Costa del Sol and Ronda, used by residents, workers, delivery traffic and visitors heading into the Serranía. When that route closes, the knock-on effect is felt well beyond the immediate area.
With no reopening time yet publicly reported, the closure remains a practical issue for anyone travelling this weekend. For now, drivers are being left to navigate a road network still dealing with the aftermath of repeated storms and unstable terrain.