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
Alameda and Fuente de Piedra, the beginning and the end of Stage, are in a straight line north-east and south-west but separated by the mountain ranges of the Camorra or Mollina. The itinerary is to skirt the sierra from the south to follow a gentle curve to the west. At the beginning you will walk along the road MA-702 then to take dirt tracks to the left and climb a small pass located in the mountainside of repopulated pine.
Bearing right gradually pass through a forested area until it becomes open countryside again and get to the source of the Arroyo Santillán and its recreational area. Once on the fl at land, walk along a succession of tracks and then cross the AVE line, the MA-701 road and the Autovía, A-92.Enter from the north direction the village Fuente de Piedra, make a turn westwards and passing over the railway line arrive at the José Antonio Valverde visitor´s centre.
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.