Alpujarra walks
Number Two: La Gaseosa
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The Tahá valley is a special delight. This easy circular walk includes two tiny hamlets and a unique natural fizzy water fountain.
Valley and villages of La Tahá de Pitres
La Gaseosa circular walk
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
This itinerary goes anti-clockwise from Ferreirola. It actually starts in Mecina, an easy stroll from Ferreirola, simply because we leave the car at the restaurant where we want to end up.
If you prefer, you can also park in Atalbéitar and start and finish there.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
This itinerary goes anti-clockwise from Ferreirola. It actually starts in Mecina, an easy stroll from Ferreirola, simply because we leave the car at the restaurant where we want to end up.
If you prefer, you can also park in Atalbéitar and start and finish there.
Ferreirola
Stroll down the quiet country road the short distance from Mecina to Ferreirola.
With the large fountain and old washhouse in the church square to your left, go straight on though the village and out the other side along a dirt path.
Pass by orchards and giant cacti and under the shade of trees route to a unique fizzy water fountain (La Gaseosa).
Try it! It's ferruginous and refreshing.
With the large fountain and old washhouse in the church square to your left, go straight on though the village and out the other side along a dirt path.
Pass by orchards and giant cacti and under the shade of trees route to a unique fizzy water fountain (La Gaseosa).
Try it! It's ferruginous and refreshing.
La Gaseosa
Walk on, passing an old threshing ground and streams turned red by ferrous minerals.
Era del Trance, an ancient threshing ground
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A stream turned red by iron in the mountain rock
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You pass a colourful natural spring called Fuente de Paula and then a sign that directs you on towards Mirador de la Guarda. First you might like to take a brief detour to the Salto de Paula waterfall.
Fuente de Paula
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Salto de Paula waterfall
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You then come to an open expanse of rock (Mirador de la Guarda). This is a good place to stop and enjoy the spectacular view back down the valley to Ferreirola.
View of Ferreirola
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You are standing beneath the ruins of an ancient mosque on a promontory. Immediately after crossing the rocky expanse, the path forks, continuing either straight on to Busquístar, or left and up to Atalbéitar.
Take the left turn for Atalbéitar and hike up through ancient chestnuts and over a Moorish irrigation channel. These acequias are still very much in use, vital to the life of the Alpujarra. |
"Immediately after crossing the rocky expanse... turn left for Atalbéitar"
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Keep going up and continue to Atalbéitar village. Walk through the hamlet and past parked cars out the other side, for approx. 80 metres and turn off left down a path. |
Winter fiesta in Atalbéitar
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Turn left after leaving Atalbéitar
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Wander down past the almonds
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Keep to this path for about 15 minues, passing almonds, farmhouse properties and crossing a gully. Eventually you will emerge onto a quiet asphalt road from where you can see Pitres up above to the right. Turn left and walk down to a T-junction between an all-weather sports pitch and a cemetery. Turn left for Ferreirola or right for Mecina and bar-restaurants.
For drinks or lunch in Mecina you have a choice of three country tavern-restaurants with terraces: the wonderful Mora Luna, vegetarian El Atelier or El Baranquillo.
For drinks or lunch in Mecina you have a choice of three country tavern-restaurants with terraces: the wonderful Mora Luna, vegetarian El Atelier or El Baranquillo.
Bar-restaurante La Mora Luna in Mecina
Back to: Alpujarra Walks
