Itinerary
The Molina Mountains and its replanted Allepo pine woods govern on this part of the route, which goes along the eastern and the southern slope of the range. The steepest part of the mountains, called La Camorra, offers magnificent views of Antequera Hollow.
Summary
The stage’s beginning and end, Alameda and Fuente de Piedra respectively, lie on a straight line running north-east to south-west. The hills of La Camorra or Mollina Sierra stand between them and opting for the southern side, the route follows a long curve round them heading gradually west. Initially, it takes the MA-6409 road before heading left onto unpaved country tracks. It climbs up to a small pass on the mountain side covered with Pine trees, before gradually curving round to the right. It passes through an area of woodland until it comes out into open countryside once again and reaches the source of the Santillán stream. Once on the plain, it runs along country lanes and crosses the AVE high-speed railway line, the MA-6410 and MA-6408 roads and the A-92 dual carriageway.
It then enters the village of Fuente de Piedra from the north, turns west and passes over the railway line, where it reaches the finishing post at the José Antonio Valverde Visitor Centre.
The route travels through the municipal area of Mollina from the start. The hills of its Sierra however, are too great an obstacle to be climbed and so by going around its southern side, you have the chance to see at least some of the vegetation that should cover it. It is possible to visit the two largest forests, on its eastern and southern fringes during the stage. Although there are some Holm oaks, it is Aleppo pines that make up most of the forest here. On the way down and just near an area of caves, there are some excellent panoramic views of the plains of La Vega de Antequera.
The recreational area at the spring of the Arroyo de Santillán is an oasis of greenery in the surrounding landscape. It has an extensive area open to the public which allows visitors to discover one of the main feeders to the Fuente de Piedra Lake. There are also splendid panoramic views. Very nearby is the Castellum de Santillán in Caperuzón, the Roman ruins of a residential villa dating back to sometime between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, which was later walled. Between points 6 and 7, the route crosses the municipal area of Humilladero.
The best
The Sierra de la Camorra is a too much of an obstacle to try climbing it, it is easier to skirt around its southern side, also to learn a little about some of its vegetation. You can visit the two larger forests located on the western and southern fl anks.
There is a bit of holm oak, but it is the forest of Aleppo pine which dominates the forest. There is also a good view of the Vega de Antequera during the descent, near the caves. The Recreational Area of the source source of the Arroyo Santillán is an oasis of greenery in the surrounding landscape. It has an extensive area of public use and allows to learn about the origins of Laguna de Fuente de Piedra. There are some splendid panoramic views to the lagoon.
A few meters away there is the Castellum of Santillán located in the Caperuzón, Roman ruins dated back to 1st to 3rd centuries A, D., and the ruins are of a residential villa which was later walled. There is also recently built the chapel of Virgen de la Oliva.