Thursdays are the day when a few of us go out to discover
and try new routes, today there was just the three of us and it was lucky that
we tested this route before we tackled it with a group of 30 souls. This route was one that I found on a site on
the Internet that someone else had done, but it was slightly different at the
start to the ‘official’ version on the Ayuntamiento Alora website but cut out
the part of the route that went through town.
We parked up outside of a very large sports complex, and
armed with the GPX file on my smart phone, we followed the said route. After
less than 100 mtrs we encountered locked gates across the track, but luckily
there was a gap between the gates and the wall wide enough for three slim
hikers to squeeze through. We followed the path around a large water deposito
that obviously fed the local houses with their water, but what a waste, it had
a huge leak and water was just running g down a drain. The path led us to the
enclosure of the communication masts and again looked like a dead end but
fortunately both access gates were open and we were able to pass straight
through the enclosure. After descending a flight of concrete steps we followed
a path across an Olive grove and to another set of locked gates, this really
did look like there was no way out. Sitting on a low wall on the other side of
the fence was an old weather beaten local Spanish man, who looked at us with
some pity, and gestured to the far end of the field towards the row of terraced
houses. Indeed this was our salvation and we were able to step down onto the access
path to the rear of the houses and through the chained but unlocked gate. All of
that would have been a bit embarrassing for me with full contingent of ramblers.
All of the walks that we do have been tried before, although
things can change with time. If we do this walk again I will stick to the ‘official’
route!
At last we are on the right track and heading in the right
direction. The track had a very good concrete surface but it was very steep,
but the amazing views over Alora made the effort worthwhile. It was pointed out
to me today that I use expressions like ‘fantastic’, spectacular’ and ‘amazing’
quite often to describe views. Those adjectives pale into insignificance to describe
some of the views that we experienced today.
We kept climbing along reasonably surfaced tracks and now we
are facing into a valley with steep cliffs and strange indents into the rocks
that appeared to be made up entirely of crustaceans. The course of the route
then took us onto a narrow and steep rocky path, negotiable only in single file.
On either side of us were pine trees containing many both fresh and old caterpillar
nests. These were overhanging the path and we needed to be very careful not to
disturb them. Many of the pine trees were stripped of the needles where the
evil creatures had feasted on them.
After a while and with a bit of effort we emerged onto
another decent track, but were still on the incline. We then came to a junction
with the track to the right leading to the actual summit of the Monte, we took
this. It was whilst on this route that we were afforded views across to the Bay
of Malaga no less, some 30 kms distant. We were also afforded views in the
opposite direction to El Chorro and El Torcal. Before we reached the end of
this track we decided to turn back as the route was in good condition and
required no further investigation, and the views would be no better than we had
already seen.
We rejoined the route that takes one around the edge of the
Monte, passing many Almond and Olive trees and giving is vistas across to
Caratraca and the wind turbines. This side of the Monte was more populated with
many properties varying from one room fincas to grande villas with stunning
views.
From now on the ramble was fairly pedestrian although some
of the declines were quite steep and played on the knees. This track exited
onto the road to Alora North and then immediately we took the road that led us back
to the sports complex and our starting point.
This walk will be added to the group itinerary but we need
to find a better start to the route before we tackle it again, and it will definitely
be graded as a 4.75 because of the steepness of some of the climbs.
A worthwhile hike and a very satisfying route.
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