Olive Oil and Mountains Route (Ruta del aceite y los montes)

Olive oil and mountains route. (Ruta del aceite y los montes) 60 km Colmenar - Riogordo - Alfarnatejo - Alfarnate - Periana - Alcaucin - Viñuela

This wonderful and diverse route takes you through the North West of Axarquia. Visit Lake Viñuela, enjoy mighty mountains, vast meadows, wheat fields and lovely mountain villages. The olive trees naturally play the leading role in this route. The olive harvest begins sometime between November and mid-December. The olive oil of Axarquia is counted among the best in the world and the taste is fruity and even a little sweet. If you want to have lunch somewhere along the way, order the 'Plato de los Montes', the dish of the mountains. You then get a plate filled with pork, potatoes or fries, chorizo, grilled peppers and a fried egg. A popular regional dish that fills the stomach quite well.

Colmenar The village of Colmenar is located 30 kilometers north of Malaga, at an altitude of 694 meters and is the capital of the Axarquia. It is located in the nature reserve 'Montes de Malaga'. The main regional products are honey, olives and almonds. The lovely village has a very nice honey museum and a variety of cozy restaurants. At the highest point of the village, the Hermitage or Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, a small chapel, is located close to the local cemetery.

Riogordo The white village of Riogordo is located in a valley at an altitude of 400 metres. Not very high compared to the other mountain villages. Take a walk through the steep streets. Interesting to see are the modern olive oil press, the church 'Nuestra Señora de Gracia' from 1490 and the 'Hermitage San Sebastian'. You can enjoy a lovely walk here and if you happen to be a little hungry? Riogordo is famous for its snails. The river 'Rio de la Cueva' is usually just a stream, but after a heavy rainfall the river is quickly transformed into a swirling, wild river.

Alfarnatejo The area you are now driving through is known in Spain as the Pyrenees of the South and you will understand why. Some mountain peaks reach up to 1600 meters high. Remote and rugged terrain, the tiny village of Alfarnatejo is the second highest village in the entire province. In addition to vast olive groves and rolling hills, you will also find a series of nine imposing gorges, (tajos in Spanish), including those of Fraile, Gomer and Doña Ana and the river Sabar. The village (400 inhabitants) has nice little houses with in the center, the parish church 'Santo Cristo de Cabrilla'. In the 19th century, the village was a breeding ground for dubious traders, bandits and smugglers because it was difficult to reach due to its isolated location.

Alfarnate Alfarnate is a Moorish mountain village surrounded by the mountains of Enmedio, Palomera and Jobo which contrast strongly with the rolling valleys, filled with olive and cherry trees. In Alfarnate many details can still be found from the time of the Moorish occupation. Unlike most other villages in this part of the Axarquia, Alfarnate does not require much climbing. The village is on flat terrain and the streets are quite wide. The river Palancar runs right through the town and three nice bridges span the river. At the top of the hill you can see the Sanctuary Santo Cristo and in the main street in the center (Calle Secretara) there are many nice whitewashed houses from the 16th century. Be sure to check out the Venta de Alfarnate (A venta is a simple roadhouse) where many bandits and smugglers gathered in the 19th century. Built in 1690, the Venta houses a restaurant and a museum and is located on the edge of the village.

Periana Driving through the olive fields, you arrive in Periana, an attractive looking village where you have magnificent views of the mountains in the north and Lake Viñuela and the sea in the south. Periana is the 'capital of the olive' in the Axarquia and also the largest village in the Axarquia region. Peaches and olive oil are the regional products par excellence here. The village has its own olive oil cooperative. The town has a Moorish appearance and was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1884. Efforts have been made to restore the destroyed Moorish elements as well as possible. 2.5 kilometers outside the village: 'Los Baños de Vilo' with healing waters. These Moorish baths are rich in hydrogen sulphide, magnesium, calcium and nitrogen and are prescribed as a cure for skin diseases. Naturally, nature lovers can indulge themselves here.

Alcaucin The village of Alcaucin is 'only' 500 meters above sea level and at the foot of the Sierra Tejeda Mountains. The mountain pass to Zafarraya, a giant opening in the mountains in a V shape is clearly visible from the village. Alcaucin is practically on the border of the provinces of Malaga and Granada. Alcaucín is surrounded by olive groves, vineyards and pine trees. It is a very lovely place and nice to look at. In the middle of the village you will find the church Nuestra Señora de Rosario, which was built in the 18th century. Another interesting building is 'Jesus del Calvario' which can be admired in a higher part of the village. From there you also have beautiful views of the village and the surrounding countryside. There are several bars, restaurants and shops in the center. Note: From here you go towards Viñuela, but this village is not right on Lake Viñuela. If you want to visit the lake, leave the route for a while, just before you enter La Viñuela.

La Viñuela You notice that you are descending again, towards the coast. The town of Viñuela is located at an altitude of 130 meters and in the heart of the Axarquia. The church 'San Jose' dates from the 16th century and everywhere in the village you can still see remains from prehistory, Roman times and the Middle Ages. The river 'Velez' runs through the municipality of Viñuela and a dam has been built over the river 'Guara' to create a reservoir, known as the reservoir of Viñuela, which can hold 170 million cubic liters of water and supply the surrounding places with water. provided. The third river is the river 'Seco'. The reservoir is located in a natural valley and is surrounded by beaches, trees and other vegetation that contribute to an irresistibly beautiful picture. In the area, mainly olives, grapes and cereals are grown.

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