A
walk on the lower slopes of La Huma from Las Angosturas (about 6
km)
Stunning views
of La Huma and the sweeping countryside towards Alora make this
walk impressive and unforgettable from the very start. A stroll
along a track through shady woods suddenly opens out into a splendid
panorama, which includes the lakes near Ardales in the distance
and the reservoir at El Chorro. The area during spring is awash
with wildflowers, goats may be watching you from craggy peaks and
vultures circle overhead, playing in the air currents. There is
an ideal spot for a picnic at a delightful rocky outcrop covered
with miniature palms, before moving on to the pinnacle, which is
the halfway point of the walk.
The return,
down a very steep stone staircase is thrilling, combining a real
sense of adventure and achievement with the reward of more incredible
views.
Since this
second half of the walk is not perhaps ideal for those who experience
vertigo, and definitely only advisable for the confidently sure-footed,
a more comfortable return along the same route may be chosen, the
views being appreciated even further from a different direction.
Relevant
maps:
Cartografia Militar de España Serie L. Escala 1:50,000 Sheet
1038
Mapa Topográfico Nacional de E Escala 1:25,000 Sheets 1038-1
and 1038-3
To
get to the start
Take the track up the south side of Huma off the El Chorro –
Abdelajis road, either 3 km from El Chorro station, or 2.6 km from
the junction with the Alora road at las Angosturas. The track is
by a large rock with a grey postbox set into it.
Follow the
track for 1.8km, ignoring a sidetrack marked by white posts, and
at 1.5 km taking the right fork where the colour changes from pink
to grey. Stay on the gray track until at 1.8km there is a sign post
showing Abdelajis one way and El Chorro the other. There is room
to park here.
The
walk
Take the track towards El Chorro. Follow the fork to the left by
a waymark post with a cross on the right (10 mins). After 100m or
so turn onto a track to the right, this time following the waymark
post with an X. The track straight on is where you will come from
towards the end of the walk. Continue into the woods until you reach
a junction with a notice board. (30 mins).
At the notice
board, turn left on the track. Keep going until you come out of
the forest. (35 mins) As you come out of the forest, you will see
olive trees and later almond trees on your immediate left, and beyond
them, further on your left, a large field which stretches down the
valley. You need to make your way to the lowest point in the field,
down the valley. Do this by continuing along the track and then
heading left through the trees wherever you can, and then turning
right towards the bottom of the field. The easiest way is to turn
left through the trees just before a small arroyo (dry stream bed).
Follow the line of the arroyo until it turns right, and then keep
on ahead for a few metres to another small arroyo. Cross it, and
turn immediately right to follow it down the hill, keeping it on
your immediate right. (When the field is overgrown there is usually
a small path here).
Head for a
small pile of rocks with miniature palms close to the lowest point
in the field. Pass just to the left of this and pick up a small
footpath heading left. (55 mins) Follow the path downhill towards
the very large rocky outcrop on the right. Eventually you will meet
a fence. Continue along this until around 40m beyond a group of
trees on your left. (1hr 5 mins) Go left through the gap in the
fence and take the path left and slightly downhill towards a rock
pinnacle.
By the pinnacle,
(1 hr 15 mins) take a flight of steps down the side of the crags.
This is a steep descent, on steps and sometimes tumbled rocks. Take
the main footpath through a network of small paths along the bottom
of the crags. Keep parallel to the crags, past a large overhanging
pine tree and an electricity pylon, until the path meets the wide
track which has been been coming up from below on your right (1
hr 35 mins). Turn left onto the track and follow it past where you
turned into the woods earlier, ignoring a fork to the right. Take
the second fork to the right to take you back to the parking spot.
(2 hrs). |