Algatocín - The Wild Friar's Walk
near Benarrabá, Andalucía (España)
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Trail photos
Itinerary description
I have added some detail in the "Description" for each waymark, so I suggest you read these in addition to the main waymark as it will help with navigation.
Waypoints
Signposts, bear right at the corner and keep on the main track.
NB - In November 2023 these signposts had been knocked down by a JCB for some track repair work; hopefully they will be re-installed once the track has been repaired. Take a moment to look left to a gate on the corner - you will return to this gate at the end of the walk.
Leave the track and climb up the hillside on the right towards a pylon ahead.
There is no path here, just make your way uphill towards the first pylon. From the pylon head straight uphill. You are aiming for a triangle shaped large rock ahead, and then keep going in the same direction until you reach a fence.
Climb over the ladder at the corner of the fence then continue uphill, with the fence on your left.
Keep the fence to your left as you pick your way up the rocky valley. When you see the fence curve round directly ahead, bear right and uphill (the fence is still on your left)
After the gap in the wall you reach a grassy plain ahead.
Once you have dropped down slightly from the rocky wall into the grassy plain, head to a gap in large rocks to the right to see The Friar. Then return to the centre of the grassy plain.
From the far side of the grassy plain head up to the left towards another gap in the wall and a large cairn.
From this point follow the ridge line; there are a few cairns to help - and basically stay on the highest point. When you reach the end of the ridge, drop down and pick your way towards the left (there are a few goat paths and you can zig-zag downhill) where you should head for an open "quarry" area you will see ahead.
Quarry area.
From the quarry you are going to follow a reasonable goat path which stays at roughly the same contour line and crosses the mountainside to a ruin. At first the path is not very clear, but don't gain or lose height and aim to pass below two triangle rocks (see photo). After this the path becomes much clearer. After 10-15 minutes start to look for the ruin ahead and to the right, by two trees. You won't miss the ruin because eventually - whatever route you take across the hillside - you will come to a fence ahead. Follow the fence downhill to the right and you'll come to the ruin. The gate is next to the ruin but rather hidden in some prickly bushes.
Pass through a gate next to the ruin; please fasten the gate carefully to protect the livestock.
Leave the track on the corner and head cross-country, up to a ridge ahead.
This is a short cut which leads you back to the signposts and the gate on the corner from earlier in the walk. If you prefer, you can stay on the main track, climb over two more ladder stiles, and retrace your steps.
Climb the gate or the ladder stile to the left.
You are back at the signpost corner from earlier in the walk. Turn right and retrace your steps back to Venta Solera.
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