You are in for a real treat this week – a walk to the border of Granada and Málaga at Puerto de Cómpeta (1404m). This is the most ambitious walk taken so far in this series, and those who feel unable to walk the whole route can drive to Puerto Blanquillo – it can be done in a normal car if it is high off the ground (we´ve seen non 4x4s up there such as Peugeot Partners and Opel Corsas) So, get your boots on, your picnic in your bag and plenty of water – we always buy big bars of chocolate from Sugar & Spice for fortification – definitely needed if you plan to do the whole walk!
From Cómpeta, walk (or drive!) towards Canillas de Albaida, pass the Bodega Jarel and take the next turn on the right up the hill locally known as the quarry road. Pass the trekking centre on your right, and continue up the road, past a hut with a mobile phone mast. You will now be able to see the quarry to the left across the valley.
After about 3km from the turning, the road turns back on itself back into Canillas de Albaida. Take the dirt track straight ahead. This is a beautiful pine tree lined avenue and the views just get better. After another 2km you will come to a T junction – turn left here (the right hand turn takes you to the top of the ridge and Venta Maria). The track is good going underfoot. If you are driving, take care of landslides which can leave a nasty gap on the side of the drop. You will see lots of walled structures which are part of a flood control system – some of them also good for walking up, though are steep and stoney. We also saw deer and squirrels in this area – and with the approach of spring, the almond blossom excels itself with its beauty, giving the mountains an almost ethereal feel. Keep going up and you will arrive at a wide area with white limestone rocks which is Puerto Blanquillo. There are several tracks off the main track, but stop here and park if you have travelled up by car. It is about 45 minutes by car to Puerto Blanquillo and is about 14 km.
Take time to have a good look around – the views to the coast and across the mountains take your breath away – it´s a great place for a picnic even if you don´t do the final push to the top. Take note of the wooden post with the white arrow and follow the stoney track as it zig zags upwards. You are now going to climb about 300m to the summit – but it will be worth it, I promise! Follow the track, and, just as you think you can´t go any further, there it is – the Sierra Nevada in all its snow covered glory. So there you have it – the snow capped mountain on one side, and the coast on the other. From here you walk all the way to Alhama de Granada – but that´s another story. The terrain is totally different on the Granada side – much gentler slopes and less stoney. The pass itself is a wide chasm with eagles and buzzards flying around.
MAPS:
Maps of the village available in the tourist information office, Marco Polo and Todo Papel. Military maps give a general feel of the area – available from Marco Polo – sheet numbers 18-43 Zafarraya, and 18-44 Velez Malaga, (closed p.m. Thursday and Saturday.)
TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE:
Opening times: Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 3pm, and in the town hall on La Rampa on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Tourist Office: 952 553 685Town hall: 952 516 006
All the routes published over the last few months have been done with a GPS and are accurate. In the “on line” version, there are maps and photos. See http://www.spain.iberacal.com.
If you would like to contribute to the Cómpeta Walking Forum !http://www.grapevine.es please go ahead – I know there are several walking groups out there! We are starting regular newsletters and general information about walking in conjunction with Cómpeta Town Hall.
The walks printed in the Grapevine over the last few months are now available for download from the web site. Caledonian Iberian ConeXions S.L. accepts no responsibility for routes which have been changed or built over and we do check them on an annual basis. Tina Irving and Brian Sparks, authors of the walks, are veterans of Kilimanjaro and the Highlands of Scotland, but are not athletes. People of a general fitness level can do any of the walks – including this one! Tina Irving
Caledonian Iberian ConeXions S.L.
http://www.iberacal.com
