A few weeks back a small group of us did a discovery walk to
this location and were really impressed so it was added to the Saturday
itinerary, and today was when 24 of us hiked it for the first time.
The route starts from alongside the main A354 between Zalea
and Casarabonela, and on the whole of the route the tracks are in good
condition. From the start the track inclines through sparsely wooded cañadas
which affords spectacular views east, south but with the close proximity of the
Sierra de las Nieves to the west. Eventually we reach the track on the left
which we now take and drop down to an pass the firefighters water reservoir and
helicopter landing pad. It is then a relentless climb to the
summit.
its almost 360 deg views, and at this time of the year is still manned, by a very friendly and amiable INORCA employee, who informed us that the lookout is manned for 11 hours every day until the next rain finally arrives. To the south the fire lookout at Barranco Blanco is clearly visible.
Here we took time to take photos and take in the views and
some well deserved energy before starting on our way back, and with a friendly
wave to the lookout (whose name no-one got) we headed off on the track down.
Because we are now heading down the views are open in front of us, and on a
clear
day one can see as far as the coast. This particular track takes us back
to the original route up and it is now an easy walk back to the start. From
here we return to Zalea and a very well earned beverage at the local bar.
