Pico de Lopera

A walk that takes you on an accessible track up to one of the highest points in the Sierra de Almijara – the Pico de Lopera at 1485 meters above sea level -, where your efforts are rewarded by spectacular views across the mountains to the coast and to the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Distance:2.5 kilometers to the peak, 5 kilometers in total.

Time:1 hour 20 minutes to reach peak, 2 and a half hours in total

Difficulty:The track is wide, easy to follow and well signposted. The gradients are gradual, and although the approach seems steep when you view it from a distance, the ascent is gradual and it is possible for even the least fit walker as long as you take your time and rest frequently.

Time of year:All year, especially beautiful in spring. At this altitude it can be extremely cold in winter. Never walk here without carrying protective and warm clothing. Snow is not uncommon in January or February at this level.

Notes
At this altitude, the peaks are often obscured by cloud and it is possible to take this walk and not be able to see the Sierra Nevada mountains. If you arrive at the start to find the area obscured by cloud it would be advisable to postpone the walk until it clears or return on another occasion. If cloud descends whilst walking the path is clear enough to find your way back, but take extra care! Avoid walking in wet or cloudy conditions. The walk in brief
From the Cabra Montes road 31 kilometers from the coast, where you are already at 1300 meters above sea level, the track follows the contours of the mountains, taking a gentler approach rather than a steep climb that takes you up approx. 200 meters to the peak where the views of the surrounding National park are unparalleled.

To reach the startr
From Almunecar take the Cabra Montes road in the direction of Jete and Otivar. At 30 kilometers beyond Almunecar you pass through the small rock tunnel. Just beyond the marker for Kilometer 28, on the left hand side of the road you will see a board describing the walk and a place to pull off and park opposite this sign on the right hand side of the road. Park here and cross the road where you will see a marker post with an arrow denoting the start of the walk.

The route
The path is well signposted (with one exception!) Initially it follows the course of the fire break from the road side (left hand side of the road from the coast in the direction of Granada). The path curves left towards a ridge with pine trees that are clearly visible. Quite soon the sea comes into view in the direction of La Herradura. As you turn inland towards a ridge of pine trees our destination comes into view, seemingly miles ahead! You can see a tiny building at the top of a peak in the far distance. This is the Pico de Lopera fire watching post.As you follow the trail past the line of pine trees, you pass along a ridge with steep cliffs to the left and the meadows and woods of the Prado de Lopera on your right. Now the climb starts, gently at first, then steeper. To reward your efforts keep a look out to the right and the Sierra Nevada mountain range comes into view, snow capped from November to April. When the path divides, take the clearly signposted left route. (The trail on the right goes down to the Prado de Lopera and can form an alternative route back).This is the territory of the Cabra Montes – mountain goats - and they can often be spotted grazing in this area.At 30 minutes into the walk the path levels off and there is plenty of shade to enjoy, and a chance to rest before the next climb. After an hour you are walking upwards and southwards. At this point the path curves right. When you meet a T junction with another trail you turn left to complete the climb. At this point you can see westwards into the Almijara valley towards Jayena and Alhama de Granada. You should be able to see the Bermejales reservoir. The last part of the climb takes you swiftly up to the summit at 1485 meters above sea level, where there is a former fire watching hut. Just beyond the hut and behind a fence the cliff falls away dramatically reveals views of the whole of the Sierra de la Almijara below and the coast beyond. The return trip is simply a matter of retracing your steps but it’s easy to miss a vital right hand turn which is unsignposted! The path down from the peak crosses a fire break which is visible on the left after about 5 minutes walk from the top. Our path goes off on the right, opposite a sign for the Parque Natural and beside a young pine tree. The path that goes straight on is deceptively easy to take but it descends westwards and will take you far out of your way! Once you have found this turning it is simple to retrace your steps back to the car park.

Otivar river valley

A steep descent on one of the ancient mule trails through the cherimoya orchards directly below the town. Ford the river (a small trickle in summer months) and follow the tranquil valley for about half a kilometer before returning on a steep mule track up to the town with fantastic views across to the Palacete and the mountains.

Start the walk in Otivar town square. Otivar can be reached by bus from Almunecar. Find the square in Otivar below the church on the left hand side as you walk into town.

At the left hand side of the square below the church a track descends between high walls. This is the way down to the river valley below. The cobbled mule track zig zags down hill between orchards, some walled in, and some open to views. As the path levels off at the bottom you will cross a field and come to the waters edge. After rains in the autumn and winter the river may be too full to cross – if so retrace your steps, but if it is shallow ford the river here and pick up the track on the other side going inland, up-stream – turning right. Various roads head off up hill from this river bed, but follow the river and you will find yourself in a charming watery world, cool and damp with birds all around. Eventually the river bed opens out and you will re-cross the river to the right hand bank by another ford. At this point look to your right, slightly hidden and back in the direction of Otivar is a route back up the hill that starts climbing immediately. The other more obvious route goes more gently uphill and eventually takes you via the River Lentegi valley up to the Palacete de Cazulas and the main road. The route back to Otivar climbs again in zig zags upwards away from the river and back to the town. It is a steep but wide track and you are almost sure of meeting mules, farmers and people going up this way. The path emerges into the streets of Otivar and you need to follow the streets by turning right in order to get back to the square where you began.
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Junta de los Rios

Gorge walks with wonderful river swimming pools and spectacular views.

Distance: From mouth of gorge to ‘Junta de los Rios’ 2.5 kilometers one way

Difficulty: Straightforward walk to the first waterfalls. From here there is a more demanding walk which entails several ascents and descents on stony pathways with several river crossings,(two on cable bridges strung across the gorge) and which may be wet underfoot.

Time of year: All year, especially beautiful in spring. Shaded in parts making for a cooler walk in high summer.
Notes
Take bathing things as there are many opportunities to swim in mountain pools. There is an entrance fee for cars. The area is open from 10.00 to 19.00 on Tuesday to Sunday, closed Monday. The key can be obtained from the El Capricchio Bar in Otivar in winter, or from June onwards there is someone on the gate to let you in.

The walk in brief
The Junta de los Rios is where two rivers join. The river continues down the gorge and becomes the Rio Verde which irrigates the entire area of the tropical valley, passing through Otivar, Jete and reaching the sea at Almunecar, close to Velilla beach. It is one of the most beautiful natural places in the region. Whether you walk through the gorge, or drive right up to the ‘Junta’, you will have an unrivalled opportunity to swim in natural pools or walk in an area of stunning beauty.

To reach the start
Take the road to Jete and Otivar. The entrance gate is on the left hand side of the Cabra Montes road, beyond the turning for the Palacete de Cazulas. You will recognize it as there is a gateway (closed) with a small hut behind. The actual ‘Junta’ is accessed by car. It is approximately 5 kilometers from the entrance to the ‘Junta de los Rios’. There is an entrance fee to enter the area. The road, although reasonably maintained, is rough and may present problems if your car is heavily loaded with people. There is a notice at the gate warning you that it is not permitted to take flowers or plants from the gorge, or to light fires anywhere. Pay your entrance fee here.
Follow the road down the valley until you reach the mouth of the gorge. You may want to park here and walk up the gorge, but you can drive on up the gorge rather than walk. There are two parking spots from which you can walk a short distance up to the first waterfall and beyond that to the Junta (joining) of the rivers.

The route
From the mouth of the gorge, follow the track on the left hand side of the river until you reach the waterfall. This will take approx three quarters of an hour. Walk up past the dam and bear right across the river. At this point you will have to ford the river (ankle deep). A trail goes up to the left after you cross the river for the second time, but before you take this track explore the river pools that are just round the bend on the right! Not to be missed! It is fantastic for swimming here from May to October.
You can continue the walk by following the trail up the (steep) slope on the left hand side of the river until you see the rope bridge that crosses the gorge on your right. At this point you could stop and enjoy the pools, or continue the walk onwards to the next waterfall (1 hour).
The path is clearly marked but has steep in ascents and descents. In parts it is wet and slippery and you will walk on stony loose surfaces. The path climbs out of the gorge, then goes down into the gorge again on a path that zig zags down to the river and then crosses and re-crosses it, sometimes by plank bridges, sometimes on elevated cable bridges. The route is shady in places and there are many beautiful pools to sample before you reach the final pool – where a Y shaped waterfall cascades 40 meters downwards into a clear pool. Retrace your steps to return to the ‘Junta’.
Additional:
If you turn left at the ‘Junta’ you can walk up the other river (Rio Negro) which follows a course that is less spectacular but there are pools to explore and the pathway winds through the river bed, taking you inland for about a kilometer before becoming more inaccessible and difficult to negotiate.
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Two Romerias (two walks following ancient pilgrimage routes)

The Ermita de Bodijar , an ancient place of pilgrimage, and the Chorreras, a rock formation is the destination of these walks, starting from Jete or Otivar.

The village of Jete has a special devotion to Nuestra Senora de la Cabeza of Bodijar. The virgin appeared to a shepherd in the last years of the sixteenth century. A small hermitage was built at Bodijar which was later extended an originally included a hermitage, workshops, a granary and patios surrounded by a stone wall. Most of this has disappeared but the site now has a chapel and patio. On the last Sunday of April each year there is a pilgrimage from Jete and a statue of the virgin is carried up to the chapel on the footpath. There is a day of festivity and eating and drinking.
These walks can be linked up providing opportunities for a circular walk from Otivar or a walk from Otivar to Jete bypassing the hermitage.


Jete to Bodijar - walk 3 KM
To reach the start
Start this walk at the signed access just beyond the junction of the Jete to Itrabo Road, outside Jete on the Cabra Montes road. Park off road at the junction and walk up 200 meters to the signposted access on the right hand side.
The walk
The route starts with a very steep ascent through fruit orchards for the first 2 kilometers but after that is level and follows the hillside going in a westerly direction giving views up to the heights of Guindelera peak, the Pichacho de Itrabo and down to the coast. Follow the track up from the main road. There are posts showing the route, and signposts. Keep an eye open when reaching tracks that cross the trail. It is a steep trail that climbs between orchards giving a unique view of the orchards and the watering systems that support the growing of avocadoes, nisperos and vines. After 2 kilometers, (1hour and 15 minutes) you will reach a junction with the road from Otivar. Turn right here and follow the road along the hillside, gradually descending to the hermitage at Bodijar. If you continue along this road for a further kilometer, you will see on the left the spectacular Las Chorreras rock formations above. Retrace your steps to return to Jete. You can extend the walk by taking the route back to Otivar.

Otivar to Bodijar - walk or drive
Start the walk in Otivar Village on the main road (Cabra Montes) by following the road that turns sharply up outside the fruit warehouse. This road has now been tarmaced but is not particularly busy. It zig zags steeply up the hillside, eventually you will reach a junction, where you need to bear right. The road bearing left road leads to the municipal swimming pool.
Follow the road on along the hillside. There is one steeper section when it zig zags up through the last remaining pine trees left after the fire destroyed the forest in 2002.
After approximately one hours walking you will reach a junction – La Malaguena – where a track goes off to the left, signposted Cutar, and the path to Jete goes down on the right hand side behind the houses.
Walk along the road for another 20 minutes as the path descends to Bodijar and the Chorrera.
Retrace your steps to return to Otivar or extend the walk by taking the track to Cutar which leads eventually to the junction with a trail that descends to Otivar.
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Barranco walk to Lentegi

Fabulous mountain views, passing through river valleys and pine woods, the well marked trail descends towards the Rio Verde valley and ends with views towards the sea in the village of Lentegi.
Distance: 7.5 kilometers
Time: 2 hour to reach Lentegi – 4 hours return to start point
Difficulty: Easy walk downhill to Lentegi, return more challenging. Wide track, easy to walk on,well signposted.
Time of year: All year, especially beautiful in spring
Notes
If possible arrange to leave a second car at Lentegi to make the walk easier. You could take a bus up to the start (one per day) and return to Almunecar by bus/taxi from lentegi
The walk in brief
The well signposted trail begins with a descent into the Lentegi river valley – where there are groves of poplars. The route then climbs gently giving views of spectacular limestone crags, before descending again gently through farmland, olive groves and pinewoods, passing through numerous shaded barrancos where streams flow down into the village of Lentegi below. As you approach the village there are fantastic views across the tropical valley to the sea.
To reach the start
From Almunecar take the Carreterra Cabra Montes road through Jete and Otivar. The road winds through spectacular scenery until you enter the National Park (Sierra Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama). Shortly after this sign the road bends to the left (Km 33) and a track goes off to the right – there is ample space for parking here. It is impossible to use public transport to access this walk so a second car is needed at Lentegi.
The route
A well signposted route, on a graded track, descending to Lentegi. At the start the trail zig-zags downwards towards the valley floor below. At the river bed (Rio Lentegi) there is a shaded area signposted on the right the trail (picnic spot) to explore before heading gently upwards away from the river. The rock formations above us on the left are spectacular as are the views in all directions as we gently climb leaving the river on the right-hand side.
The path then descends again towards a small group of farms –Cortijos Aguas Blanquillias – set picturesquely in the olive groves. From this point the path goes downwards more frequently than upwards and winds through pine woods and slowly descends along the edge of the hillside through terraced farmland. At several points on the route we cross streams that water the terraces of trees below and the ‘acequia’ or water channel can be seen sending water downwards to irrigate the terraces. At each stream there are pleasant shaded groves of trees and potential picnic spots. As we near the village of Lentegi there are clear views west across the Cerro del Melion to the Cabra Montes road below, and southwards to the tropical valley and the sea.
Above Lentegi village the road descends sharply on concrete zig-zags into the ‘polideportivo’ or sports ground. There is a shaded area just outside the village where the a car can be parked.
Addition: It is possible to walk on through the village and take a track that goes down to the Cabra Montes Road, coming out at the point where the tarmac road turns up to Lentegi - about a kilometer outside Otivar. This extends the walk by approx 2 km.

Canuelos Circular

A dramatic circular walk descending the cliffs to discover a hidden cove.

Distance 2.5 kilometers in total
Time ¾ hour to reach the cove, 2.5 hours in total
Difficulty A little difficult because there is a steep descent down towards the coast on narrow stony pathways.
Time of year All year, especially beautiful in spring.

Notes
The pathway is narrow and stony in parts, so strong shoes or walking boots are advisable. You would also be wise to wear trousers as there is plenty of gorse and tall grass on the way to scratch you. Walking sticks are advised. Not good after rains as the paths will be slippery.

The walk in brief
The walk descends steeply to the cliffs above Penon del Fraile where you find a secret (but inaccessible) cove. Walking west you have superb views towards Nerja. The walk descends steeply to the beach at Canuelos, an unspoiled long beach in the coastal natural park. The climb back is along an easy road up to the start point close to the main road.
To reach the start
From Almunecar drive towards Malaga on the N340. After the second tunnel the road sweeps right and crosses a gorge where the pillars of the new motorway are clearly visible on the right hand side. Just beyond the road bridge that crosses this gorge there is a restaurant with a large car park on the right hand side. Turn in here and turn round as if to drive back in the direction of Almunecar. Take the next right hand turning signposted for Canuelos beach. There is parking just off the road here. There is no vehicular access to this beach.
The route
Take the road out of the car park down towards the sea. Take the second left hand turning off this road and follow this track downwards. The route, clear at the start, goes gradually down through vegetation and is not always clearly visible, but it is well worn and if you find yourself on descending path, you are going the right way.
After going down for about 25 minutes on this meandering path, you reach a T junction of pathways within sight of the sea. You are now in a gully that splits the coast. As you get to the junction you will see a sign showing that you are joining the coastal E7 path. (red and white marker - crossed out -painted on a rock) Turn right here. (At this point you can join this walk to the Cantarrijan walk, or go the Torre de Caleta. You will see a red and white trail marker as the path winds to the right round a pine tree that is in the middle of the path. From here the path winds westwards along the cliff side, precipitous in places. You can take a diversion to the headland (Penon del Fraile) on the left which can be easily reached, but the routes down to the hidden cove below are very difficult and slippery.
The path is easy to follow along the cliff towards Canuelos beach which you can now see clearly stretching in front of you. As you descend the beach goes out of sight at times, and you will need to scramble down the rocky and at times slippery pathway to the beach below (easier to sit down in places). When you arrive at the beach you are at its extreme easterly end where there are wonderful rock formations and this is the ideal place for a swim.
To complete the circular walk, go along the beach about half way until you pass the houses on the right. You will easily find the route back up the hill which is an easy climb back to the car park and takes about 25 – 30 minutes.
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3 Roman Aqueducts

A level circular walk following the valleys of the Rio Seco and Rio Verde, visiting three roman aqueducts and returning to town through chirymoya orchards and market gardens (huertos).

Distance: 8 kilometers in total. 1.5 to Venta Luciano
Time: 1 hour to reach Venta Luciano .2.5 hours to complete circular
Difficulty: Level walk with short climb between the two valleys - walking on a the riverbed roads and local roads
Time of year: Especially beautiful in spring, but hot and year exposed in summer. Good winter walk

Notes
The walk can be shortened after seeing the first 2 acqueducts and you can return by local bus to Almunecar.
The walk in brief
Following a level route along the Rio Seco river valley from town, the route takes us past 2 aqueducts. We then take a road (slight climb) through Torrecuevas village and descend to the Rio Verde valley where we can rest in the park beside the third aqueduct in Torrecuevas. Following an easily accessible track we walk into the Rio Verde river bed, along the river and turn back into the orchards behind Las Penuelos, through quiet tracks amongst the orchards, emerging again at the main road in San Sebastian, 3 minutes walk from the start point in Almunecar.
To reach the start
This circular walk starts in Plaza Mayor in Almunecar. To shorten the walk it is possible to return by local bus from several points on the walk. The bus returns to Plaza Mayor.
The route
From the Plaza Mayor walk up the street and take the turn on the left past Manolos bar. Follow the road and bear right at the end, through the orchards. Turn right where it joins the river bed of the Rio Seco. After about 20 minutes walk you will see the first aqueduct on the right hand side, in the orchards about 100 metres back from the road. After another 5 minutes the next aqueduct can be seen on the right.
You can now walk along the river bed towards the mountains for about 10 minutes. (If you take the first road on the right after the 2nd aqueduct you can cut through on a short road that climbs over to Venta Luciano, on the road between Torrecuevas and Almunecar. It is possible to catch a bus back from here into town. Buses travel approx every hour).
OR Continue along the river road until you see a track between orchards on the right hand side. It is an unmade track that climbs gradually up until it meets a tarmaced road. Turn right here and climb again for a few minutes until the road levels out and gradually starts the descent into Torrecuevas village. This part of the walk is on a road.
In the heart of the village, just before the road reaches the junction with the Cabra Montes road, on the right hand side you will see a pile of wood. This is the local baker who uses a wood fired oven to make Pan de Campo. You can buy a loaf hot from the oven most days of the week.
At the T junction with the main road, turn left. Very shortly after this turn, on the right hand side a track takes you straight ahead where the road bends left. It will take you to the new park created below the third aqueduct. There are seats here.
To return by a circular route: Take the track that goes right under the arches, away from the main road and follow yet another dry river bed through the orchards until you meet the Rio Verde river road at a T junction.
Turn right and follow the river road. You are going in the direction of the sea. The road here can be dusty but you will only be following this valley for approx 15 minutes before turning in to the orchards again.
Take the second right turn (opposite another road coming in from the left where there is a ford). The rough track quickly turns at right angles to the river for 100 metres, then curves left. At this point take the right hand track in between houses. (The road forks left and continues on to extend the walk by a couple of kilometers and takes you into the area of Las Palomas, behind the petrol station in Almunecar.)
Follow the quiet track through the houses and along between the orchards back towards the town.
You will emerge under another aqueduct over the road opposite the entrance to Santa Cruz, a new urbanisacion in San Sebastian. It is a short walk down hill to Plaza Mayor passing under the motorway bridge.
Click for route on Google maps