Caminos La Cruz y Las Lomillas (ENG)

Start of walk: Tolox, Plaza Alta
End of walk: Tolox, Plaza Alta
Distance: 3.3 km
Time: 1hrs moving time
Ascent/Descent: 250m ascent/descent Highest Point: 470m
Route: Circular
Terrain & Hazards: Underfoot there are loose stones in several sections of footpath. The steeper parts are mainly on vehicle track sections, but not only. Walking poles will come in useful but arent essential. Trainers with good soles (plenty of grip) should be worn, or strong walking sandals. Hiking boots/shoes are best if the weather is not too hot.
Food / drinks: No food or water along the way.



Background:
Tolox is known as the heart of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park. And while historically many people made a living in the mountains of what is today the national park, the vast majority of people made their living from the cultivated lands in the foothills surrounding the village.

These lands are divided into hundreds of small plots where olive groves are the predominant feature, with the famous Aloreña variety of olive being by far the most common, specially good as an eating olive, and the only one in Spain to have a ‘denominacion de origen’ label. Also common are almond groves and some vineyards. The plots of land closer to rivers are usually able to take advantage of the ancient irrigation canals, the acequias, where you will see avocados, oranges, pomegranate, lemons…

The circular route of La Cruz-Las Lomillas makes use of 2 historical tracks. The Camino de la Cruz, also now known as the Sendero Cruz del Padre Ventura, started most likely as a path to access the fields on the steep Pecho de la Cruz, directly facing Tolox to the north. The construction of a shrine to the Holy Cross at the top of this hill gave a second use to this paths, as it has now been used for decades, even centuries as a pilgrimage route particularly during special festivities such as the Day of the Virgin Immaculate ( La Virgen de la Inmaculada) or during Easter. You will see crosses along the way with roman numeral symbolising the stations of the cross or Via Crucis.

A vehicle track built in the last decades continues now uphill near La Cruz shine and joins up with the historical mule track Camino de las Lomillas. This ancient track was of great importance to the village as not only access to plots of land to the east of the Cruz path but it also joined up with the important trading route that was the Camino de la Serrania de Ronda. It also provides access to land on the borders with Yunquera and eventually to Yunquera itself.

Route:

Here we describe a circular route where you will make use of both paths to create a short circular route of just 3.3km. However, do note that there is 250m of ascent and descent, a considerable amount for such a short distance, which means that you will come across some steep sections.

There is almost an equal split between footpaths (old mule tracks) and wider vehicle tracks. There is no traffic at all on these tracks. The route is not difficult however it requires a minimum level of fitness to do the steep ascent, but you can take your time as it’s quite a short route.

The main danger comes from loose stones underfoot, particularly in the steeper sections. While proper hiking shoes are not essential, a good sole with good grip is. Walking poles are not essential, but will be useful for the steeper section of descent.

Directions:

Start at the Plaza alta, at the North end of the plaza descend on Calle Chorruelo. Follow Calle Chorruelo as it bends to the left continuing the descent, then after 40m turn right, continuing the descent in a north direction then north east, after 80m turn left heading out of the built-up part of village, and parallel to the river. After 50m cross the bridge over the river and follow the path, as it goes over the irrigation channel, and start to ascend. After 60m, you will come to a signpost where you will be directed to the left to the Sendero Cruz del Padre Ventura, and to the right Camino de las Lomillas. We will return at the end of our walk via the path on the right, but for now we turn left as we take the path ascending quite steeply, and follow it for about 300m until it joins the end of a vehicle track. We turn right on the vehicle track, and follow it gradually ascending in a northeast direction at first, then bending to the north. After another 300m on the track, you come to another sign post where you’ll see the footpath to the left for the detour to La Cruz shrine, well worth the 150m to get there for a wonderful view of the village, the Horcajos River valley, and the higher peaks of the Sierra de las Nieves in the distance.

Once you have seen La Cruz and the views, come back the same way to the signpost and continue on the vehiche track towards Camino de las Lomillas which is now 600m away. The track starts with a gentle ascent at first, and gradually gets steeper, with quite steep section towards the end, just before the signpost where the track meets the Camino de las Lomillas.

At this point you can continue ascending towards the Camino de la Serrania de Ronda for longer walks, but on this route turn right at the signpost and start now a sharp descent along a vehicle track heading in a northeast direction at first, then bending as it descends to a south-easterly direction. After 400m on the vehicle track, another signpost will direct you to the historic mule track on your left, this path will descend towards the village on a pleasant zig zag down the ridge. After about 250m, and at the end of the zigzag, you will see another post. To the left is the Camino de los Quemados del Negro, a very pleasant path that at the moment ends in some private plots about 700m away.

Ignore the Camino de los Quemados del Negro on this route, instead continue the descent towards Tolox, following Camino de las Lomillas, all the way to the first signpost which is 400m away. Retrace your steps now from here back to the village, across the bridge, then left, and right up Calle Chorruelo to the Plaza Alta.