Itinerary
This stage goes through the Alpine kind of landscape which is typical of the Sierra de Almijara. It is featured by sharp peaks, steep mountainsides, ravines with plenty of plant species as well as Mediterranean animals, characteristic of mountain areas.
Summary
Stage 6 is a particularly mountainous one and ventures through the north-west of the Sierra de Almijara, close to the Sierra de Tejeda and within the Natural Park. The start of the route takes you to El Acebuchal gorge, where a previously abandoned village lies on the Camino de Granada, an old mule track from Frigiliana. The final section joins the Granada – Cómpeta sister pathway, which also negotiates its way between the summits close to the El Lucero peak. The area belonging to Frigiliana reaches the mountain pass of El Puerto de Páez Blanca. From this highest point onwards (km 16), the route descends along the border between Canillas de Albaida and Cómpeta.
Departing Frigiliana to the north-east, the route manages to avoid most of the MA-5105 road. It then veers off to the north, climbing up country tracks and passing by El Acebuchal. These same pathways that run along the gorge floor, continue on up to the Daire track. This significant pathway traces a long curve relatively high up through the heart of the Sierra Almijara, looking down on the Moreno gorge.
You then make your way up mountain trails to a height of 1,220 metres at Puerto Blanquillo. Branching off to the south-east, the route then drops down to the country house or Venta (an Inn in ruins) de María Guerrero. The most rugged section of the day is from the Daire track onwards, with steep footpaths and sandy, pine-covered slopes. The hill of Cruz de Canillas can be considered a pivotal point, geographically, as Sierra de Tejada comes into sight and you return to a country track. The path then zigzags down for 4.5 km to minimize the steepness of the descent into Cómpeta.
The renowned trails that scale the peaks of El Lucero or El Cisne can be accessed towards the middle of the Stage. The scenery is quite breath-taking, both up ahead towards Sierra Tejada and looking back on the Sierra de Almijara, above all from around Cruz de Canillas. The panoramic view is the reason for the location of the Infoca (Forest fire protection) watchtower on Cerro Gavilán or Peñón de Calimacos.