‘’Ruta Medieval’’ in the Taha.

The Taha is the area of the Alpujarra east of the Poqueira Gorge and is made up of about a dozen small villages ranging from the largest, Pitres, to Altabetar, a small hamlet of around twenty properties. Linking these villages is a network of pack horse trails and old footpaths. This is just one of a number of circuits possible in the area.

Start in Fondales, one of the smaller villages. From the village entrance follow signs for Ferreirola. The chances are that, like me, you will stumble though each of the villages taking wrong turns here and there but coming across flower-filled corners and blind alleys which give these villages their beauty and charm. Once through however the path is obvious as it is marked with a number of markers. About 10 minutes after passing through a baranco the path emerges in Ferreirola, head to the church and village wash house. Turn left here to a wider track which brings you to a wonderful spring flowing with naturally carbonated water. A couple of minutes later you come to a large ‘’era’’ or threshing circle. This is a great place to stop for a break with views into the dramatic Rio Trevelez valley and the steep path on the far side of the valley which marks our ascent route.

The path begins to climb, crossing a small outcrop. At a waymarker follow the path downhill into the valley to a ruined corn mill which still has some of its original grind stones. Cross the river on a narrow bridge high above the river to begin a steep ascent on the wonderfully constructed path as it zig-zags up the hill side. It’s steep, so take it easy. However after about half an hour you emerge high on the south side of the river with views north to the main Sierra Nevada range. Follow the shallow valley south to a small cluster of houses before turning right along a wider track.

The track cuts across a steep hillside often through pine forest which gives some shade. After about an hour turn right at a finger post marking the route back to Fondales. Follow the track back down toward the river before crossing the ‘’Roman’’ bridge, one of only three river crossing in this section of the valley. The path climbs back to emerge in the village just past a small wash house.



10km, 5-6 hours, Water in villages and at spring en route.

Carazon de la Sandia

The ''heart of the watermelon'' Carazon de la Sandia is one of the main peaks of the Alayos de Dilar the rock ridge running allong the southern side of the Rio Dilar valley. The ridge forms what is perhaps the regions answer to the Cullin Ridge of Skye and forms a dramatic route not to be underestimated.
The start of the walk follows the river east as it passes through a dramatic rock lanscape of the Rio Dilar gorge and criss crosses the river a number of times. After about an hour the path zig zags its way ever upward through the forest to fianaly level out at about 1,600m before it begins a traverse below the main summit itself. The ascent up to the summit itself follows a narrow path which brances off the main route as it contours around the head of Rambla Seca. The ascent path slowly climbs up to a shallow col just south of the summit which is reached by a short scramble up the final outcrop. From this dramatic summit the views of are fantastic not least the breath taking drop north down to the Rio Dilar some 700m below.
The return route follows a narrow ridge south then west off the summit to rejoin our original path below Picacho Alto. A steep descent then follows as views of the aforested ridges of Cero de Montellano open up before you. As the path levels out it turns to follow a dry stream bed to fianlay reach a track back to the car park at the area recreativa.

7-8 hours , steep ascent /descent,18km, no water

Cruz de Viznar, Sierra de Huetor

This walk marks the return to the Sierra de Huetor Parque Natural north of Granada. I’ve been walking and scrambling to the east of the area for a few years however I was recently given a map of the area and so have begun to explore more of the forest trails. The walking is fairly gentle following good paths through pine forest and open scrub.

Start from the information centre at Puerto Lobo above the village of Viznar. The centre is found by following brown direction signs from junction 252 off the A 92 autovia running east from Granada. A number of information boards mark the start of various trails, ours is marked Cruz de Viznar and is on the north side of the car parking near the entrance to a forestry building.

The path is clear as is climbs for about 30 minutes to finally zigzag up to a col about 5 minutes after passing a strangely phallic shaped rock. From the col our path heads North West following a sign for Cueva del Agua. Before we head off however the slight detour east up to the outcrop topped by the Cruz de Viznar is worth the effort. A sign warns of the dangers of ascending the last few meters of the outcrop to the cross itself. A direct ascent would indeed be dangerous however if you follow a small path along the north of the rocks an easier ascent can be found at its eastern end.

Returning to the col continue along a forest path which winds along a broad ridge before dropping to an odd two storey building at a path junction. Turn right to the Cueva del Agua and its view point. This is roughly the half way point of the walk so makes a good lunch stop. The cave entrance is gated, though accessible to dogs as we found out so take care if you have one with you.

Return past the building and continue along the now rockier path as it descends through the forest. After about 30 minutes pass a sign for La Alfaguara however stay on the level broad path to reach a forest track, turn right. This track takes us easily back to the start of the walk. If however if you still feel fit you can extend the walk slightly. Follow the main track as it descends past Mirador de Viznar into an area of forest. At a large bend on the track a sign post marks a narrower path up through the forest to return to the col we left a couple of hours before. From here descend to the car park.

I did this walk with some friends on a sunny but cool day in mid January. With the amount of shade it would make a good walk at any time of year. Spring would be ideal as I suspect that there would be a few more wild flowers out then when we did it.


4-5 hours, 10km, NO WATER

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

Sierra de Huetor.

The Sierra De Huetor national park which lies to the north of the Sierra Nevada about 15 minutes east of Granada.

To get there take the autovia from Granada toward Almeria and come off at junction 259, clearly signed for the national park. From the junction follow the road on the north side of the autovia and turn right to park at Casa Forestal de Penoncillas. The walk starts on the east side of the access track at an information board and way marker. To be honest for most of the walk a description would be superfluous. The route is well marked and follows a clear path winding and climbing slowly through a ‘Karst’ limestone landscape. Whilst initially we walk though forest the habitat quickly opens up to a more open Mediterranean scrub or maquie. The non native pine forest in the area is slowly being cleared to extend the important native habitat of shrubs and scrubby oaks.

After about an hour the path reaches a magnificent natural mirador and the highest point of the main walk. This spot gives great views north to the rocky summit of Pennon the Mata. Also clear is the fire spotter’s cabin on the summit of Las Minas to the north. The path now re enters a more dense forest before dropping left at a way marker to zig zag down into a shallow valley before reaching a broad forest track. At the track turn left to reach a sign post. To the right Mirador de los Minas is signed and is well worth the short, though steeper detour with its 360 views of the whole of the area.

The main route, signed for Puerto Lobo drops left from the sign post. The next section is a delight as the path drops down through a classic piece of limestone landscape, a dry river valley. The valley is well used by both domestic and wild goats so is a bit muddy in wet weather. The foot of the valley is marked by a rock pinnacle, El Pulpito. Follow the path back through forest and turn left at a junction to soon reach another forest track. Heading down hill though a sided steep valley brings us to Fuente de la Teja, a main source for water used in the Alhambra gardens.

At the next junction continue straight along the main track to begin a final slow climb back up to the finish of the walk.

I did this walk at the end of November on a cloudy damp day, the forest sections gave some shelter and would also provide shade in summer. Whilst the walk is good at any time of year Spring would bring wildflowers and would perhaps be the best time of year to do the route.


12.5 km
5 Hours
Water at Fuente de la Teja (3 hours)

Cerro de Caballo

On a recent trip up Cero de Caballo above Lanjaron I finally managed to locate a small bivvy refuge that I had been told about during last winter. At the time there was to much snow to find it and the recent trip was my first chance to go and have a look.

The shelter is a small stone arch over a pit and could have been constructed as a store for the now ruined Refugio de Lanjaron which lies near by.

The refuge is 100m north of the ruin which is found at the bottom of the south eastern spur of Caballo. From the ruin head approx 50m west along a descending path through an open bowl, at the lowest point of the path follow the shallow gully North to the bivi which is at the base of the cliffs.

Ermita de Cristo de Zapato

This walk is in the Lecrin valley, a lush area to the west of the Motril – Granada motorway. Follow signs for Pinos de Valle from the motorway, the road crosses the dam wall of the Embalse de Beznar and climb up into Pinos, at a T junction at the top of the village turn right for about 100m and park.

The walks climbs from Pinos up to the Ermita de Cristo de Zapato perched high above the village. Struck by lightening about 18 months ago the ermita has since been rebuilt.

From the wash house where there is a nearby spring here for filling your water bottle signs point to Ermita de Cristo de Zapato. The track winds up behind a building near a quarry, after 5min. at a second sign, follow the path as it climbs steeply before levelling out in the forest. Now it’s simply a matter of slowly plodding up the many zig zags to the ermita.

After 10 minutes you pass a building on the right with pipes running to it through the forest. ( Where the pipes leave the path into the forest marks our return path and is marked by a yellow arrow.) Continue uphill to eventually reach the ermita perched on a painted rock outcrop. The ermita is normally open and is worth looking in. Behind is a new lightening conductor and beyond a short rock ridge can be followed for about 500m.

Return down the track we climbed until the junction noted during the ascent; here turn right along a narrower but clear path alongside water pipes. The path traverses through the forest passing a large alburca before slightly dropping and turning to the west. Pass a boundary marker and cairn above a small almond grove then re enter the forest. At the next clearing you get stunning views east across the Alpujarra as far as the Sierra de Gador inland of Almeria some 70km away. Cross through a baranco before the path descends to a T junction above a concrete track. At the junction turn left.

The return path levels as it crosses though grassland and scrub before meeting a wider track at a new alburca. Follow the track tacking care as it passes bee hives. The path drops to a cross road, here head down hill to join a tarmac road just left of a small bridge. Turn left for about 10 minutes back into the village.

Even if you have a map of the area don’t expect to see all of this route, like many local paths it simply does not appear even though it’s clearly old and well trodden.
As any regular walker will know in comparison to the UK’s Ordnance Survey maps Spanish maps, even if available leave a lot to be desired. A bit of perseverance and willingness to explore areas has it rewards as you will find if you do manage to do this or other routes in the sierras of the region.

4-5 hours
water at start
Easy route finding , steep ascent.