Day 6 - A José Miguel Invention

Saturday 18th May

The Walk

At breakfast, some of us claimed to have been waken by a very early dumper-track (the favourite form of transport in these villages), but on reflection it turned out to have been Victoria's suitcase being dragged down to the taxi.

Jessica, having been first woken at 4.30 am, and then having mistakenly rushed down to breakfast at 8.15 after misreading her watch, was walking round in a daze.

Just after 9 am we left Capileira by one of the paths that takes you to the top of the Sierra. This was a steady ascent for about 45 minutes, and we gained height quickly. (Were we fitter than at the start of the week?) Eventually, breathing hard, we turned right along a dirt track and reached the spot where the Wednesday walk had ended.

Here we met the Acequia Baja, and left the path to follow it in the direction of the Pitres valley, going level or slightly downhill. Coming to the brow of a hill we saw a reservoir into which the acequia was flowing, and José pointed out one in the distance on the other side of the valley.

Passing close to the reservoir (one of the group suggested skinny-dipping, but I think she was light-headed), we were now facing the villages of La Tahá and some of the walks we had done that week. Ahead of us was a small rocky hill, and José pointed out a wavy line, clearly man-made near the top of the hill, and explained that this was a trench remaining from a stronghold of the Civil war. Among the rocky outcrops, with a magnificent view on all sides, we found a grassy spot for lunch.

Finally we got to the track that goes from Trevélez to Capileira and followed it, making a short cut by some stables.

Personal Highlights

"Perhaps because it was the last day, the views (and there were many viewpoints on this walk) seemed even more magnificent than usual. Certainly we lingered at each." - John

"Being suddenly faced with a grim reminder of a particularly savage war - trench lines still visible" - John

Photos

Click on any photo for a full-size version

This document maintained by JohnB@crownsys.co.uk.
Text Copyright © 2002 John Braga
Photos remain Copyright © The Submitter