Walking into history

Walking in the area has not been mapped in the way you might be accustomed to. Sometimes maps are unhelpful (like the ones at the start of senderos that don´t tell you where you are, or don't have a key to help identify features like rivers and roads!)...sometimes paths have become overgrown, or turned into wide tracks by bulldozer. But ancient mule and donkey tracks still exist and provide wonderful wild walking routes for all abilities. In UK walking routes can be heavily populated and there is always someone to ask. Here in Spain the routes are empty and its rare to meet other walkers.The best way to locate the a route is to look for paths, guess their destination and walk them to check. Take care and be patient, eventually routes will join up and provide excellent walks that you can share with others.
At one time the mountain ranges (or sierras) were crisscrossed with mule trails connecting farms and villages. Traces of farming can be seen around ruined farm houses (fincas). Watch out for terraces and signs such as almond, fig and poplar trees. No-one knows how old some of these tracks are, but the existence of roman bridges can give you a clue. All over Andalucia you can see signposted (often at the edge of a road) a "Camino del Rey". These are ancient protected routes used by shepherds to move sheep and goats around the coutryside. These routes were probably used by the Moors for centuries. Inland they cross mountain ranges, passing ruined "ventas" or inns which gave hospitality to travellers. They were busy highways before the advent of motorised transport. Many old mule tracks fell into disuse in the Civil War. This area was part of a frontier in the war and the hills were dangerous and inhospitable during those years.
You don't need to be an experienced hill walker to get something of interest on a walk or stroll in the valleys and hills outside Almuñecar; just get off the road and see what is there!