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This is one of the best known routes to ascend to the highest peak of the province of Malaga, the Torrecilla (1,919 meters).
The attraction of this itinerary, among many other reasons, is the presence of unique botanical species such as Spanish firs or mountain gall oaks. Of anthropological interest are the different rural constructions, among which the snow wells are particularly interesting.
During the walk you will go through the Cerro del Pilar, where there is a cave containing a bust of the Virgen de las Nieves. The top of Torrecilla is reached in the direction of Puerto de los Valientes, on the left side of the mountain. The route is suitable for all times of the year, although it can be very hard in summer with very high temperatures and in winter because of the ice sheets that form.
The trail starts next to the Los Quejigales recreational area. After approximately 1 kilometer, the ascent begins by the Cañada del Cuerno, which will tske you to a beautiful pine forest. La Cañada del Cuerno contains a group of hundred-year-old fir trees that give it an almost ghostly appearance.
Once past La Cañada you reach the Puerto de los Pilones, from where you can get stunning views of the surroundings with the Torrecilla and Cerro Alcazaba in the foreground and in the background the coast and the Mediterranean Sea. Here you can see the mountain gall oaks, protected species.
After the Puerto de los Pilones, there is a a restored snow well. Soon after, the Torrecilla peak will be back within sight. Halfway between the snow well and La Torrecilla, on your right, is the Sima GESM, which at 1,101 meters is the deepest in Andalusia and one of the largest in Europe.
Continue the route, in descent this time, to the Pilar de Tolox, also known as the Machos fountain. Ideal place to take a break before starting the last climb.
The climb to Torrecilla Peak is done rounding the mountain in the direction of the Puerto de los Valientes. They are 100 meters of steep slope that will be rewarded by the spectacular views that you will discover. You can see on clear days the Genal Valley, Sierra Bermeja, the African coast, the Hoya de Málaga, the capital and its bay, Sierra Nevada, ...
© 2019 Graham G Hawker
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