European Mountains, Spain
Sierras de Tejeda
 

Puerta Verde de Torrox, 545m
Rábita de Torrox, 697m
El Fuerte, 1004m
Pico del Cielo, 1501m
Pico del Cielo NE top, 1543m


Area: Parque Natural Sierras de Tejeda, Almaijara y Alhama
Maps: -
Primary factor: Puerta Verde de Torrox: 100m
Rábita de Torrox: 252m
El Fuerte: 183m
Pico del Cielo, 10m
Pico del Cielo NE top, 61m
Hiked: Apr 2012
See also : Other European  mountains on westcoastpeaks.com

El Fuerte

El Fuerte
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

The tops described on this page are potential hikes if you visit the towns Torrox, Frigiliani or Nerja (or any other nearby town) near the Spanish south coast (Costa del Sol). The hikes range from ridiculously easy (Puerta Verde de Torrox), to easy (Rábita de Torrox), moderately strenuous (El Fuerte) and strenuous (Pico del Cielo). 

Puerta Verde de Torrox is the high point on a long ridge and you can drive to the top. There is also a road that runs just below Rábita de Torrox summit, and you have to follow access roads between Olive trees to get to the top. El Fuerte is a classic 3,4km hike from Frigiliani, while Pico del Cielo is a even more classic 10km hike from Maro.

 

Pico del Cielo

Pico del Cielo
(Click for larger image)

 

Google map

Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
 

 

Google maps
Google maps
(Click on image)

 

 

Trail descriptions

This disclaimer is regarding all of the literature and instructional guides posted on the westcoastpeaks.com website. These instructions are guidelines only, and should not be used in lieu of common sense or judgment when attempting any of the actions involved or instructed. Westcoastpeaks nor myself will not be liable nor will it indemnify any form of compensation to anyone who has injured, harmed or even killed themselves or others while following any of the instructions written within the website. It should be noted by any persons willing to undertake any of the instructions provided that mountains offer varying levels of risk, regardless of size or incline. Risks to be considered are as follows but not limited to: wild animals, weather, the terrain, bad judgment, inappropriate or insufficient equipment, improper training or experience and of course, bad luck...

These route descriptions are valid per Apr 2012

Errata: Frigiliana has been mis-spelled as Frigiliani on a couple of pictures. Apologies.


Route 1: Frigiliana - El Fuerte (978m, 1004m)

Difficulty : YDS Class 1 to point 978m
YDS Class 2 to summit
Comments Very popular hike
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 3,4km to point 978m
Time : Approx. 1,5-2 hours to point 978m
Starting Elev.: Approx. 420m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 560m to point 978m
Path to El Fuerte

Path to El Fuerte
(Click for larger image)

 

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The starting point for this route description is the charming village Frigiliana. When you come from the south (the coast), drive through the village, and approx. 0,5km after you've passed the northern part, locate a road that forks in a sharp left-hand curve (N36.79805 W3.90145). This is the first sharp curve after Frigiliana, and there is an information board about the route.

Drive the (narrow, but OK) road upwards. The road forks after a little while. Stay left. Drive to the end of the road and find parking next to a pool (N36.79464 W3.89627 - 420 meters). The final yards up to the parking can be a bit rough. There is also place for one car down by the pool.

The route:

Walk back to the nearest house and locate the path - which starts by the stairs. The path is easy to follow as it climbs up the ridge. Then it (more or less) follows the ridge crest until it takes a turn to the west in the final hill below point 978m (N36.81409 W3.91419) - the normal target for most hikers. You will see a "Fin de Sendero" (end of trail) signpost and a geological survey marker. You cannot complain about the view!

If you want to visit the true high point (1004m), then descend 140 horizontal meters and locate a vague path that runs northeast in the direction of the high point. The 0,25km off-trail is quite easy, as long as you follow the stone cairns and otherwise follow the terrain where you see best fit. The high point (N36.81631 W3.91125) is marked by a couple of rocks.

 

Frigiliana

Frigiliana
(Click for larger image)

 

Route 2: Puerte Verde de Torrox (545m)

Difficulty : YDS Class 1
Comments Very, very easy
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 0,3km to the top
Time : Approx. 10 minutes
Starting Elev.: Approx. 480 meters
Vertical Gain : Approx. 65 meters
Puerta Verde de Torrox

Puerta Verde de Torrox
(Click for larger image)

 

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The starting point for this route description is the village Frigiliana (see route 1 above). Continue on the road through the village and in the direction of "Hotel Los Caracoles" - a very characteristic hotel!.  After approx 5km, turn right towards Hotel Los Caracoles (signposted) and find parking at the bottom of the steep hill - without blocking for other traffic.

The route:

Walk the 300 meters up to the top (N36.79679 W3.93290) of the ridge. You'll have a great view towards El Fuerte and the ocean.

 

Snail house suites at Los Caracoles

Snail house suites at Los Caracoles
(Click for larger image)

 

 

Route 3: Rábita de Torrox (697m)

Difficulty : YDS Class 1
Comments Easy hike
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 2,4km to the top
Time : Approx. 45 minutes
Starting Elev.: Approx. 480 meters
Vertical Gain : Approx. 225 meters
Route to Rábita de Torrox

Route to Rábita de Torrox
(Click for larger image)

 

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The starting point for this route description is the village Torrox. Drive the mountain road north in the direction of Cómpeta. When you pass the restaurant Pavo Real (N36.80693 W3.95382 - 480 meters), park here.

The route:

Cross the road and go follow a steep road that climbs Rábita de Torrox' north ridge. At 600 meters, the road levels out and passes the mountain top. At the point you feel you're walking away from the top, turn left and hike up the southwest flank. Locate the best route up along the olive trees. If you pick the best route, you don't have to worry about bush either. On the summit (N36.79658 W3.95749), you'll find the ruins of a cabin and a geological survey marker.

 

Descending from Rábita de Torrox

Descending from Rábita de Torrox
(Click for larger image)

 

Route 4: Pico de Cielo (1501m)

Difficulty : YDS Class 1
Comments Strenuous
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 9,8km to the top
Time : Approx. 4 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 155 meters
Vertical Gain : Approx. 1350 meters
Route to Pico del Cielo

Route to Pico del Cielo
(Click for larger image)

 

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The starting point for this route description is the village Maro - located east of the larger city Nerja. Follow signposts towards the famous cave Cueva de Nerja (visit it!). Find parking just before the cave visitor's center. You will find information about the route here.

The route:

From the parking, follow the gravel road (Camino de la Cuesta Del Cielo) to the north. After approx. 3km, the road forks (N36.78267 W3.84870). Go right. The road now climbs upwards and you should look for the (very visible) short-cuts. The road continues up to the fire gate ridge crossing (N36.78609 W3.83735 - 580 meters) and then northeast up to a building (N36.78941 W3.82593 - 770m) and a large signpost. The road turns north here and ends after 250 meters (N36.79112 W3.82549). Follow the mountain path up to the ridge and then to Pico del Cielo (N36.80484 W3.81508 - 1501m) - marked by a cross and a geological survey marker.

The path is well worn and you can safely hike this mountain in fog. You won't get lost. Also - it could be a good thing to bring a bike, should you have one.

You could also consider hiking 0,5km to the northeast - up to point 1543m (N36.80777 W3.81031 - YDS class 2 and the summit is not marked)  or as far up the ridge as you want to. Eventually, you'll end up on Navachica (1828m) - a good 6,5km hike from Pico del Cielo.

 

Inside Cueva de Nerja

Inside Cueva de Nerja
(Click for larger image)

 

 

 

Pictures and Trip reports:


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