GR 249. Stage 15: Villanueva de Algaidas - Cuevas Bajas

Summary

Nothing could be more fitting in this environment than sharing the walk during Stage 15 with the Camino Mozárabe, since there is a medieval chapel in the village of this origin and an abandoned convent that starts the ramble of both long stretches.

The predominant direction of travel is north up to the Cerro de la Cruz to progressively turning west, a journey marked by the ascent to the top of that hill. Both the distance and the slopes are quite approachable.

You must pass through the small population called La Atalaya separated from Villanueva de Algaidas by the Arroyo de Bebedero or Burriana River, which forms a gully in the calcareous sandstone spanned by a medieval bridge. Then there comes the climb in search of Cortijos Loma Vieja and Loma Nueva farmhouses until the edge of the three district boundaries, from where you begin walking downhill.

Always following dirt tracks, this part offers an impressive viewpoint over the Valley of the Genil and passes through a new farmhouse, the Cerdón, as you walk to your destination, again the riverbed of the river Burriana.

The best

The gully carved into the rock where Villanueva de Algaidas stands (Villanueva of Forests in a free translation) is a true island in the sea of olive trees, a relic of the original vegetation caused by the shadiness of the slopes. Such is the attraction of the place that there was the convent of our Lady of the Consolation of the Algaidas built here, which was awarded by the fi rst Duke of Osuna in 1566 to the Congregation of the Recollected Parents of San Francisco de Asís. Attached to the ruins of the convent is a Mozarabic rock chapel dating back to the IX and X centuries with the Church divided in three naves (the Baptistry, the sacristy and the prayer area) and a nave used as housing quarters. Normally you can visit it without any problems. A medieval bridge still in use crosses the river and communicates with the watchtower.

The Cerro de la Cruz (Junction Hill) is one of those important those landmarks which as its name suggests, is a place where three boundaries unite. But for the traveller it may be the spectacular panoramic views over three provinces from the viewpoint of the Cedrón, conveniently explained in a commemorative panel.

Finally, the visit to the farmhouses of the Cedrón (of Jewish origin) and the Moheda (founded by the Andalucíans) offers some beautiful glimpses into communal life in these small centres of population which thankfully resist the passage of time. The Moheda is out of the way but so close that it is worth a detour. The connection with Camino Mozárabe is one more added value to the stage.

DECISIÓN

El trabajo personal que corresponde con la etapa de la mente, es la decisión y constituye una fase de especial importancia. Durante su recorrido se invita a la persona a abrigar un espacio donde se ofrezca la oportunidad de tomar partida y decidir lo adecuado en su vida.

El trabajo personal que aquí se propone consiste en ser conscientes del gran potencial y talento que albergamos, así como la cantidad de opciones que residen en cada uno de nosotros, pudiendo compatibilizar varios caminos, cuestionándonos acerca de qué decisiones hemos tomado, cuáles aún no, qué consecuencias hemos vivido cuando decidimos optar por el silencio, así como cuando decidimos no decidir, permitir, hacer o no hacer…

Esta etapa brinda la oportunidad de acompañarte a través de La Gran Senda con las reglas de la propia naturaleza, despertando un despliegue de todo lo mejor que ya hay en ti y la infinidad de opciones que aún no has ofrecido a tu vida, para que seas tú quien decida, sumado a un aprendizaje continuo en un ambiente cambiante.

Es un recorrido donde la toma de decisiones al cien por cien de compromiso te va a acompañar. Un sendero donde es necesario crear una diferencia, para decidir activamente hacia donde quiero caminar, con la intención firme de la finalidad que se pretende, siendo conscientes de las consecuencias. Para cambiar aquellos pensamientos que nos limitan, potenciar los que nos impulsan y encontrar la salida de aquella situación que aparentemente vemos como imposible.

1. Initiation Stage:

Access Starting point: There are two connections, Seville-Granada A-92, A-7201 from Archidona and the A-7221 from Antequera.

Starting point: At the crossroads of MA-6416 with the MA-7203 to Cuevas Bajas, at the northern end of the main centre of population of the village.

Enjoy the walk safely:  You have to stock up on water in the heat, since there is no drinking water along the walk. Be careful with the traffi c on the road before reaching Cuevas Bajas. The paved track before that does not hold danger as there is scarce transit of vehicles. 

2. Completion of Stage:

Access to finish point:  From Villanueva de Algaidas the MA-7203.

Finish point: Arroyo of Barranco Hondo, after crossing the village of Cuevas Bajas, at the south-western tip of the village.

3. Alternatives:

Possible "escape  routes": They are not necessary to plan at this stage, given its short length and low difficulty.

No return point: Once you are on top of Cerro de la Cruz it is worth it to continue going down instead of coming back. The settlement El Cedrón is already quite close.

Connections to other footpaths and trails:  Connections to other footpaths and trails The main novelty for the GR at this Stage is the fact that it follows entirely the 7th section of Camino Mozárabe of Malaga, coming from Cartaojal. At the beginning, you will traditional paths, like the Camino de Algaidas to Loma Vieja. The fi nal section walked on the road, is called Colada de Cedrón which also passes through la Moheda.

The twin GR, 7 E – 4, on this occasion only shares with the Great Path of Malaga a section along the ravine of the river Burriana, and then follows the course of this river to reach the same destination. They separate at km marker same to reach the same destination. They are separated at kilometre 1.5, at its access road to the Atalaya. The PR-A 129 circular of Villanueva de Algaidas is 7, 5 km long and connects two nearby settlements, itcoincides with the GR from the beginning of the stage up to the bridge on the Burriana, but then turns towards the east to complete its loop. The Town Hall in Cuevas Bajas has designed three short tours under the heading of Routes for a Healthy Life. Two of them go to the vegas del Genil to the eastern part of the Fernández Lake and the west of the farmhouse of Isla Grande and Las Huertas. Both share the starting point at the municipal gymnasium. The third walk climbs la Moheda and El Cedrón, and the itinerary resembles more the GR-249.