Lucero

This walk comes highly recommended by my Spanish neighbour who at this time of year goes to work on skis. Lucky man, he works at the observatory above the Granada.

Lucero is the majestic pyramid shaped summit best seen as you drive from Malaga east toward Nerja.

Starting from the North of the mountain the drive is as good as the walk itself. From the road between Fornes and Arenas del Rey follow the clearly signed track to the Resinera Information Centre. About 150m after the centre the track forks, turn right uphill (Vivero de la Resinera to the left). The track climbs to cross an open area of pine forest before a wonderful switchback section traversing a steep hillside. After 11km the track drops to cross the river bed on a large concrete pad, 500m after a narrow track forks left. Marked by a Zona de Reserva and a Prohibited Traffic sign this marks our return route so park nearby.

We now walk west for about 2km along the track which becomes quite rough, then climbs to reach the start of the waymarked trail to Lucero. It’s an obvious route climbing to reach a large col where we get our first real view of Lucero’s summit and its ruined Guardia Civil watch post. The route becomes rockier from this point as it traverses the flank of Lucerillo before final steep and somewhat exposed zig zags to the summit. Once you get to the summit it’s clear to see why it was used as a view point by the Guardia during the civil war as the views from the top over the nearer ranges as well as across the Med. to the Rif Mountains of Morocco and North East to the Sierra Nevada are stunning.

Once you have had your fill of the summit return to the large open col below Lucerillo. Whilst you can return the way you came there is a better if far less used route back to the car. A boundary stone here, marked MP, marks a feint path running North. Take this path which is marked by a large stone arrow then by cairns and later red paint. Follow the path though open forest, cross a couple of dry stream beds then after about 15 minutes zig zag down to a further stream bed. Turn right to a cairn to rejoin the path as it now levels to join a wider track at a waymarker. Turn left to follow the track down hill then left again at a T junction as the track levels out at a rocky stream bed. This soon takes you back to the track where you left the car some four or five hours ago.

Lucero is obviously a popular summit, I saw seven! other people on the day I did the ascent, not quite Snowdon on a Bank Holiday but busy by local standards.

10km , 4-5 hours , No water en route, steep ascent

The Rio Chillar is a great walk for those who are staying in Nerja or allong the Costa Tropical. The full walk starts in the Chillar valley just north of Nerja itself and heads upstream for about 3 hours though you can easily do a half day just by going as far as Los Chohorros , sections of very narrow gorge where you can easily touch both sides at the same time.

DO NOT DO THIS WALK IF RAIN IS FORECAST OR THERE HAVE BEEN RECENT STORMS ANY FLOODING COULD BE DISASTEROUS.

The walk starts from a cement works just below the motorway, there is ample parking and if you have a 4x4 you can go some way along the river bed. Wherever you park its an easy route to follow as you simply follow the stream bed as it passes below steep cliffs. After about an hour and a half you meet the first of three narrow sections, here the problem may be one of allowing others to pass rather than route finding, all impressive stuff though and great fun. Once the thrird and final narrow section is passed you have a choice, eithert return to the start or head on upstream for a further hour. About half an hour after you pass through a boulder section marked with blue paint a dry valley comes down to the river from the west and and there is a blue waymarker post on the east bank. Follow the trail, marked by red flashes through vegetation to ascend steeply for about ten minutes before you meet an acequia channel. You will now need a very good head for heights however the fenceing allong the most exposed sections has recently been renewed. Follow the acequia south and you soon pass allong some very exposed section before returning to the easy walking allong the acequia line. After an hour you will reach a wider section marking he end of the water channel, here follow a steep and loose trail down to the river, TAKE CARE as the surface is loose.Once you meet the river simple head back down stream to the cars.

Half day walk in Axarquia

I have been exploring the mountains just inland of Nerja and Almunecar for some time nad recently descovered a great half day route which shows off some of the best that the range has to offer.

Beware walking here is hot , its onlu a few kilomiters inland and you need to carry plenty of water wear sun screen and sun hat.

The walk starts on the track to the area recreativa signed from the entrance to the famous caves at Nerja. Access is obvious allong a rough byt well used track. After about 3km there is a sign '' sederisimo'' park here. This is the finish of the walk but from here to the area recreativa is up hill and at the end of the walk you will appreciate getting to the car at htis point.

Continue on foot allong the main track passing through the area recreativa heading N. The track descends to cross a stream however follow the stream bed for about 100m then head right into the Barranc de la Higuera. the path is a bit overgrown at first but soon clears beneath some eucalyptus trees. After about 200m there is a track on the Right marked by stone cairns. From here ist uphill for about 45 minutes. keep plodding away however you can hardly miss the stunning views openeing up as you get higher particulalry toward the N W with views of La Peuta or S toward the coast. The track zig zags steadily up hill to fianally reach the crest of the Molinera ridge. Here the path leve;s for a short while and there a re level areas with great veiws for a well earned break.

The descent is obvious as the path head to the left of the ridge itself. take care as there are some loose sections however once again the views are stunning not least to the N as the summit of Alto de Cielo comes into view. Half an hour of descent sees you at a track which heads W back to the car, make the most of the waymarked short cuts across the hairpin bends to save your feet and to getinto some shade through the pine forest.

The area is well worth a vist at any time of the year however in spring there are numerous wild flowers on the limestone of the area.