Continuing our adventures in the sierras, the first part of this walk is the same as last month.  For the benefit of those who missed out on last month´s Grapevine, the section is repeated here.

I´m sure, though, that the home team don´t need such tactics and will win anyway …. But I digress.  Take a breather at the stadium after the long climb before going to the right  and follow the track past the interpretive board showing the route of the Venta de Pradillo.  At the junction turn left, and follow the wide track forever upwards.  There are not enough superlatives to describe the views – they are just stupendous – down to Torre del Mar and even Gibraltar and north Africa on a clear day.  This area is marked on the military maps as Loma Gaviarra.

After about 15 minutes you will come to a junction where there is a metal frame, the support for an interpretive panel. Last month we turned right and climbed up over the top to Casa de Mina.  Take the left hand fork which takes you eventually to Canillas de Albaida. It is a downward slope after the long climb up out of Cómpeta.  Enjoy the peace and tranquillity, the views and the joys of being at one with nature.  The almond blossom puts on a great show  in February as spring approaches. 

The going is easy – stay on the main track and ignore the various turn offs until you near Canillas de Albaida then turn left into the village.  There is a shorter route via the stables, Caballos de Mosquin, but by taking this route you will miss out on the all-important refreshments at Cerezos or the Albaida restaurant.

There are various ways to return to Cómpeta, the easiest being along the road but take care as the traffic goes very fast.  Alternatively you can walk along the road for half a mile or so, and you will see a drive on the left on a sharp right hand bend just past the sign post with a 40km speed limit, bendy road and 3km sign  – go up the first part of the drive, and there is a track on the right which cuts off the long corner of the main road.  Return to the road, turn left and continue along the road until you see another track going off to the left at the bottom of the road which leads to the Caballos de Mosquin – there is now a post in place which will be the waymarker for an official route when the town hall have finished their work.

POINTS OF INTEREST:

Ermita de San Anton, which in years gone by on Saint´s Day was used to christen animals.
Ermita de San Sebastian, founded in 1505  by Isabel la Catolica and was the main church in the village…

La Asunción in Plaza Almijara – take a tour of the church and climb the tower. 

MAPS:

Maps of the village available in the tourist information office, Marco Polo and Todo Papel. Military maps give a general feel of the area – available from Marco Polo – sheet numbers 18-43 Zafarraya, and 18-44 Velez Malaga, (closed p.m. Thursday and Saturday.)

TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE:

 Opening times: Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 3pm, and in the town hall on La Rampa on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Tourist Office: 952 553 685
Town hall: 952 516 006

GENERAL ADVICE

Always wear good walking boots with ankle support
Take a mobile phone with the emergency number 112 programmed in
Do not walk alone
Let someone know where you are going and what time you expect to return
Visitors to the area must be aware that the weather can change very quickly and can it can become overcast and misty, even at the lower levels.
Take plenty of water and a snack, especially on the longer routes.

The walks printed in the Grapevine over the last few months are now available for download from the web site. Caledonian Iberian ConeXions S.L. accepts no responsibility for routes which have been changed or built over and we do check them on an annual basis.

Tina Irving
Caledonian Iberian ConeXions S.L.
http://www.iberacal.com