Walking In Andalucia

Joining the tour at Malaga airport we transfer to Canillas de Albaida by minibus, a journey of about one and a half hours, where there should be some time to freshen up and relax before a briefing this evening about the coming days ahead. Our base for the next few days is a picturesque village of white washed houses lying on the edge of the Sierra Tejeda Natural Park, in the shadow of the Atalaya and Verde Mountains. Moorish in origin (Albaida comes from the Arabic for white), its history dates back to the 13th century and the village today is an engaging collection of steep narrow streets that meander up the hillside and lead down to a traditional square. The shrine of Santa Ana dominates the village from its lofty promontory overlooking the surrounding landscapes of pine and oak trees. These vistas are home to eagles, mountain goats and wild boar and the terraced fields that circle the village are traditional reminders of the Moorish farmers who once worked these fertile lands. This rich mix of cultural styles is also reflected in the food of the region, where Moroccan and Spanish influences make for some delicious local delicacies, including fennel broth and almond and garlic soup.

Overnight Standard Hotel

In the course of our first morning's walk, we will experience some spectacular views of the coast and the nearby villages.After breakfast, we’ll take a brief wander through the lower part of Canillas and learn a little more about our host village, its people and its history before embarking on our first exploration of the very special landscape that surrounds it. We then depart the village following a spectacular track that follows the Natural Park border high above the villages of Canillas and Competa. From here we will enjoy expansive views of the Mediterranean and the surrounding landscape. We may even see Gibraltar and the Rif Mountains of Morocco across the sea.We should reach a unique spot known as the Alberdini by lunchtime, where, weather permitting, we will enjoy a light meal ‘al fresco’ overlooking the beautiful village of Frigiliana (once voted the prettiest in Spain) .After lunch, we drop down to the small town of Competa and visit its beautiful “hermitas” or shrines , its unusual village cemetery, its prettiest streets and squares and its very lovely 15th century parish church with its tower based on a 13th century minaret. We make our way back towards Canillas via a pretty cobbled path that passes Bodegas Almijara where we will have an opportunity to tour the winery, sample some of the local Jarel wines and learn a little about how muscatel wines are still being made using unique methods traditional to this area. We should get back to the hotel at about 6pm. Later (from about 10pm onwards) there will be music and dancing (and a small fun fair) in the main village car park (mercifully out of ear-shot of the hotel for those wishing to get a little shut-eye) and the merriment could well continue 'til 6am for any who have the stamina! Total walking: 11km / 6.8 miles Maximum Elevation: 825m / 2706ft Total Ascent: 255m / 837ft

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Sunday is when the locals celebrate the feast of San Anton Abad (known as St Anthony of the Desert or St Anthony the Great), a 4th century Egyptian who chose an ascetic existence in the desert with only animals for company for much of his 105 year long life. San Anton is the patron saint of animals (along with St Francis) and it is this particular bond that is celebrated throughout the Latin world on this day. San Anton is also the patron of the village of Canillas de Albaida, making the celebrations here particularly significant for the local populace. Traditionally, beasts of burden have a “day off” on the feast of San Anton and in Canillas all kinds of animals, from gerbils to horses, are brought to the village car park to be blessed by the priest overseen by the statue of St Anthony. Everyone dresses up for the occasion (many in traditional costumes), so be sure to bring your camera. Before the Blessing, a special Mass is celebrated in the Parish Church and a symbolic sample of the local animals is presented at the altar (normally a pair of doves and a couple of rabbits). After the Mass, the statue the Saint is brought from the Church to a decorated cart drawn by a pair of garlanded oxen that first kneel to the Saint in greeting. The local brass band supplies the accompanying music and much cheering ensues. In our case, after a latish breakfast (in deference to the festivies the night before...), those who do not wish to attend the special Mass can join the Tour Leader for a 1.5 hour wander down to the Truvilla River below the village and then up the wooded flanks of La Piedra on the far side. We’ll then return to Canillas by an old cobbled mule track with lovely views of the village perched above the river valley. We will be back in plenty of time to witness the statue of San Anton being taken from the church and being greeted by the team of oxen. Once on the ox cart, the statue of S.Anton is brought by a circuitous route to the main village car-park where the blessing of all the animals in the village begins – and chaos reigns! The addition of bangers and fire-crackers to the mix simply adds to the mayhem! A light lunch will be available ‘al fresco’ in the Plaza at 2pm (ish), but you might also like to sample some of the free food that will be on offer as part of the fiesta. Later we can take a break from the festivities and stretch our legs - and clear our heads! - on a 2 to 3 hour circular walk along the beautiful Cajula river valley getting back to Canillas at sunset. After your meal this evening, there will, of course, be more music and dancing in the streets, but tonight’s partying will finish by midnight – unlike the 6am finish last night!!

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Taking a taxi this morning we head first for Competa. From here we follow a track that passes above Casa de la Mina before joining a mule track that takes us towards Puerto Blanquillo, via the ancient silk route that once ran through these limestone landscapes to Granada. The arrival of the Moors in the 8th century brought silk manufacture to the Iberian Peninsula and these ancient trails are littered with the historical reminders of those once lucrative journeys across Arabia and into the Islamic heartlands of southern Europe. Stopping for a picnic lunch at a ruined inn, we then continue through the afternoon, back towards Canillas. Total walking approx 14km, 6 hours, 250m ascent.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Crossing an old Roman bridge this morning we ascend a goat track, following the trail up towards Finca el Cerrillo, a converted olive mill. Continuing uphill we then negotiate a landscape of ancient oak woods, following a mule track up to the summit of Fogarate, a hilltop lookout that lies in the shadow of the lofty peak of La Maroma. After taking in the fabulous views we continue along an easy dirt track that skirts the valley and takes us up towards a ruined inn, before we follow the valley along an irrigation canal to the old Moorish village of Salares. By 720AD the Moors controlled much of the Iberian Peninsula and their faith, art and architecture spread through much of southern Spain. This new part of the Islamic empire became know as al-Andalus and was at first ruled by the caliphate of Damascus, the powerful Umayyad caliphs. Over time these lands split into smaller Muslim enclaves, making them more vulnerable to the emerging Christian kingdoms to the north, which eventually culminated in the Christian re-conquest of the south in the 10th and 11th centuries. Much of this region has retained its Moorish character though and many of the villages still display the distinctive styling of Mudejar architecture, a form developed specifically by the Muslims in these Christian areas and often presenting a rich fusion of Islamic and Gothic styles. The church of Santa Ana in Salares is a perfect example of this hybrid of styles, built on the sight of an old mosque, but retaining the minaret as a church tower. After a wander through the steep, winding streets of this picturesque village and lunch in Theo's simple and special bar we will return to Canillas by taxi. Anyone wishing to make the return journey by foot may do so (this will add an extra couple of hours and another 6km to your day ascent 350m). Total walking approx 8km, 4.5 hours. 420m ascent.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today has been designated as a rest day. There is the possibility of taking an optional trip to Granada today, or spend your time exploring Antequera or the coast. Granada is one of the most famous cities in the region, a superb mix of Moorish elegance and Renaissance grandeur that includes the Albaicin, the old Moorish quarter whose white walls and narrow streets give the city its distinctive Arabic feel. A major highlight is the sumptuous Alhambra palace, built by Muhammad al-Ahmar, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, in the 13th century and considered the finest example of Moorish architecture outside the Arab world. Its exquisite interiors and stucco exteriors evokes the elegance of a civilisation at the peak of its artistic and cultural epoch and the ceilings of its glorious throne room represent the seven heavens of the Muslim cosmos, creating a little piece of Arabic heaven here on earth. Another highlight worthy of mention is the Generalife, one of the most beautiful landscaped gardens in the world, which surrounds the summer residences of the Caliphs. Wandering up to the highest points of the city presents some stunning views out across these glorious testaments to Muslim craftsmanship. Another alternative today is the vibrant market town of Antequera, once a border fortress protecting Granada and today boasting a delightful collection of Baroque churches, a 13th century castle and a massive series of burial chambers (dolmens) on the outskirts of the town that are believed to date back to around 2500BC. For those who would prefer something a little more scenic, the Mediterranean coast is not far away, presenting an ideal destination for a gentle exploration of Spain’s beautiful southern coastline.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Another taxi this morning takes us to La Fabrica la Luz, from where we begin our walk up the valley and past the Honeymaker’s Cave, travelling on via the chestnut and cork woods of El Chaparral Farm. These remote and beautiful landscapes contain a rich wealth of fauna and flora, many of which is endemic to the sierras, particularly its raptors and mountain birds. Amongst these landscapes of boxwood and olive groves, yew and Mediterranean woodland, with luck we can get occasional glimpses of golden and Bonnelli’s eagles, peregrine falcons and golden orioles. These landscapes are also renowned for large numbers of indigenous mountain goats that only a century ago were on the verge of extinction. Climbing up through these idyllic rural settings we head towards the summit of Cerro Verde (1,346m), a peak similar in height to Ben Nevis, where we enjoy a picnic lunch on the summit, overlooking the panoramas and enjoying the fresh Andalucian air as we look out across the limestone landscapes. After lunch we move south towards cerro Atalaya, a dramatically craggy peak that is a popular nesting for the birds and where, if we are lucky, we may spot some Bonelli eagles. Descending from the coll via a wide firebreak we are treated to views of the coast and, on a clear day, as far as Gibraltar. Our descent this afternoon brings us full circle back to La Fabrica, where we rendezvous with taxis once more for the return journey back to Canillas. Total walking approx 12km, 5-6 hours, 726m ascent.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Passengers on our group flight to London will be transferred back to the airport in time for their return flight (this may vary from the Land Only ending time as shown above). Please note that the transfer to airport for Land Only passengers may be unescorted.

Included meals: Breakfast