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On a sunny land, turned towards the Mediterranean and the African continent, this hiking holidays takes you passing through the pueblos, picturesque white villages.
Through a countryside with valleys covered with olive trees, almond trees and cotton fields, travel through a land that was for eight centuries the theater of the incredible cohabitation of religious, cultural and architectural worlds totally opposed: Islam and religion. Christendom.
Close to the city of Almerìa, which retains the architectural imprint of the Moorish era, the spectacular Tabernas desert has served for years as a natural backdrop for the filming of the most prestigious « westerns »: this territory has seen Clint Eastwood gallop. between « barrancos » and fairy chimneys …
After this unusual discovery, you will go roaming, from cove to cove, on one of the most beautiful parts of the nearby Mediterranean coast, Cabo de Gata: a wild coast where warm and turquoise waters are dominated by gypsum cliffs, fossil dunes and other volcanic rocks. From time to time, emerging from nowhere, nestled between sea and desert, a small white village or a defense tower dating from the time when pirates from North Africa sowed terror on the Mediterranean …This walking holidays in Andalusia will show you all kind of didderent landscapes.
Almeria(Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
From the spectacular Tabernas desert to one of the most beautiful and wild Spanish coasts: Cabo de Gata, dotted with coves with crystal clear waters and defense towers …
LEVEL
Hike without difficulty, on trail, from 4 to 5 hours, vertical drop from 200 to 600 m. In the middle of summer it can be very hot.
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE FROM (pers.)
2
PORTAGE
You will only carry your day’s things; your luggage will be transported by vehicle by us.
FRAMING
Self-guided stay.
ACCOMMODATION
Night in 1 *, 2 ** and 3 *** hotels.
TRAVEL
Travel will be by taxis and public bus.
TRAVEL POUCH CONTENT
In the month preceding your departure and after receipt of the balance for your stay, we will send you a travel pack including all the documents necessary for your hike: a practical sheet detailing the progress of your stay (meeting times, transfers , contacts and addresses of accommodation …) a topoguide detailing your itinerary and usually supplemented with cultural information, naturalists, etc., maps (sometimes included in the topoguide), as well as the contractual documents (invoice, insurance contract) and labels for your luggage. On certain stays or at certain periods, we may be forced to send your package to the accommodation on the first day; we will let you know as soon as possible.
Arrival in Almerìa and installation at the hotel. Visit of this pleasant city, which preserves the testimonies of its importance during the period of Al-Andalus. The Alcazaba (Al-Kasbah), an Arab citadel, is one of the largest fortresses in Spain and is worth a visit. Its historic districts full of charm transport us to another era: that of Pescaderìa at the origin of the caliph city, La Chanca which overlooks the sea and its ports, La Almedina where the shops, souks and mosques of the Muslim Almeria. The cathedral, fortified to resist the assaults of the pirates, is of great wealth.
Short transfer to the Tabernas Desert, where countless legendary westerns (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly …) and other films (over 600!) Such as Indiana Jones, Asterix, Conan the Barbarian have been shot , The Thief of Bagdag, Emmanuelle, Lawrence of Arabia … You can visit the sets of Sergio Leone and other mythical places of cinema. But it is also and above all a spectacular and fascinating desert: the hike will take you through fairy chimneys, towers, cupolas, canyons, ravines and badlands … You will pass through an oasis of palm trees that was used for the filming of Lawrence d ‘Arabia, and by a surprising abandoned Mexican village in the middle of the desert (if you choose the long circuit). An original and unique day in a landscape that will transport you to Arabia or to the depths of Arizona. Return and overnight in Almeria.
Walking time: 3h or 5h. Elevation: + 150m / – 150m. Transfer time: 40min.
Transfer to Cabo de Gata lighthouse where your roaming begins slowly, between beaches and salt flats. The coast becomes rocky and you then take the path of « La Vela », evolving between creeks, cliffs and ancient volcanoes. Two beautiful solitary coves: Cala Rajà and Cala Arena. In places, the atmosphere is desert, always with the omnipresent sea and the vegetation specific to Cabo de Gata. The beautiful beach of Monsul with its characteristic rock, will undoubtedly evoke a passage from the film Indiana Jones and the last crusade (Sean Connery and the seagulls …). Then, a succession of solitary and wild coves with basalt columns emerging from the golden sand, towards the cape which leads to the beach of los Genoveses, among the most beautiful of the Natural Park. A virgin beach, without buildings, fine golden sand. Swimming will then be welcome before arriving at the stage: San José.
Walking time: 5h. Elevation: + 200m / – 200m. Transfer time: 20min.
Cerro de los Frailes (Monks’ Hill) is the highest relief in Cabo de Gata Natural Park, almost 500 meters above sea level. Its two main peaks are formed by a volcanic caldera of about 5 kilometers in diameter; one of the oldest identified in Cabo de Gata. We will go around the summit to discover the view of the coast, which is immense. Descent to the beach of los Escullos and the typical small village of Isleta del Moro.
Via the Cerro de los Guardias (formerly where lead, copper and gold mines were exploited), passage under the Torre de los Lobos, the tallest lighthouse in Spain. You will admire the superb panorama on the coast. Between coves and hills, each more beautiful than the next, arrive at the large beach of El Playazo, with its golden sand, its calm waters and the castle of San Ramon. Via a beautiful balcony path, arrival at the lively village of Las Negras.
Walking time: 4h30. Elevation: + 350m / – 350m.
A wide path starts from Las Negras; a detour will allow you – if you wish – to climb to the small summit of Ricardillo, 300 m, to gain altitude and admire the panorama if it is not very hot. A side path will lead you to the Cala de San Pedro, surely the most beautiful cove of Cabo de Gata, dominated by the castle of San Pedro. The old houses of an abandoned fishing village have been rebuilt and are occupied by a cosmopolitan group of « hippies » who take advantage of the beautiful weather and the turquoise waters of this corner of paradise. The trail continues up and down to other charming coves like Cala del Plomo and Cala de Enmedio, with resplendent fossil dunes of strange shapes. Overnight in Agua Amarga.
Walking time: 5h or 6h. Elevation: + 550m or 650m / – 550m or 600m.
Mesa Roldan is a plateau of volcanic origin overlooking the sea. From there a path descends to Cala de los Muertos: a large beach of over a kilometer with crystal clear waters and giant rocks forming huge « mushrooms » on the shore. from the sea. Then its little neighbor, the Playa de las Salinicas, more sheltered and discreet. From there you approach civilization and you will pass through some factories with their ports, before arriving at Carboneras. Transfer and overnight in Almeria.
Walking time: 4h30. Elevation: + 250m / – 250m. Transfer time: 1 hour.
End of stay after breakfast.
