| The Silk Trail - From
the Sierras to the sea |
| By the 10th Century the Moors had
established al-Andalus as the major
silk-producing region in the western world. The
warm south facing slopes of the sierras of
the Axarquia perfectly suited the silk
moth. Mulberry trees were cultivated in great
numbers and villages sprang into life. The
mulberry trees have gone but the pretty pueblos
to the east of Malaga still cling to the
hillsides. Many of the ancient paths still exist
and are the theme for this unique 8 day two
centre walking holiday. |
|
|
The ' trail ' walks the length of
the south facing slopes of the Sierra Tejeda
and Sierra Almijara, connecting villages
on the way. It starts to the west at an altitude
of 2,000ft and ends in the east where the
mountains dramatically drop to the Mediterranean.
Accommodation on the way is in
two carefully chosen rural hotels. The walks
are rated as Level 2. For those that choose
there is a longer option on some days, extending
the walks by 1 to 2 hours to Level 3. It is
possible to opt out of any of the walks but few
choose to do so. |
|
Itinerary
 |
|
Day
1 - Arrival day
The transfer from
Malaga airport to Canillas de Albaida takes
an hour by road. We stay in Antonio's new Mirador
hotel on the edge of this tranquil village, two
miles to the west of Cómpeta. The hotel has
comfortable en-suite rooms, a small pool and
great views across the pueblo to La
Maroma. In the evening we have welcome
drinks on Antonio's terrace and discuss the week
ahead. We have dinner in the pretty village Plaza,
a short stroll away.
|
|
|
|
Day 2 - Sedella to Canillas
de Albaida
A short road
transfer take us to Sedella and
the starting point for the trail. We walk though
the village and into the hills, passing the
kalif's house where dues for the silk trade were
collected so many years ago. The walk has some
fine views of the white villages, mountains and
sea. For lunch, we stop for tapas in Salares,
one of the most photogenic pueblos blancos in the
Axarquia. |
|
Day
3 - Canillas de Albaida to La Fabrica
From the hotel
we take the level path to Competa and
climb to the top of the town. There is a further
steady climb to a saddle and spectacular views of
the Sierras sweeping down to the
Mediterranean. The walk follows part of the
ancient Cómpeta to Granada ' silk path. We are
likely to have our picnic and one of the old
'ventas' on the route before a gentle but
stunning descent to Casa de la Mina and into the
Pradillas valley. Our walk ends by the stream at
La Fabrica and transfer back to Canillas.
|
 |
|
|
Day 4 - La Fabrica to El
Acebuchal
We return to
La Fabrica and our linear walk continues into the
hills using another ancient path connecting
Frigiliana to Granada via El Acebuchal.
This once abandoned village has now been brought
back to life in a spectacular fashion. We have
time for a memorable tapas
lunch
before the final part of the walk and transfer
back to our hotel. In the evening, we may stroll
into Cómpeta and have dinner at
one of our favourite restaurants.
|
|
Day 5 - Non walking day and
transfer to the coast
After a
leisurely breakfast we transfer by road to the
pretty Meditteranean coastal village of Maro
and some time for some rest and
relaxation. Those wising to explore may fancy a
short walk to the beach or perhaps a 40 minute
stroll into the nearby resort of Nerja.We
stay for the last three nights in the Playa Maro,
a simple but comfortable hotel in the centre of
the village |
 |
|
|
Day 6 - Frigiliana to Maro
Another
classic walk with spectacular sea and mountain
views. We pick up the trail in Frigiliana
with time to look at this
pretty and popular town before the tourist buses
arrive. We drop down into the Higueron
valley and then climb steeply up into the sierras.
For lunch we stop at the Rio Chillar,
surely one of the most beautiful and seemingly
remote valleys in Andalucia. The walk ends with a
gentle descent to Maro passing
close to the famous caves. |
|
Day 7 - Maro beach and caves
The Maro
caves, below the Sierra Almijara,
are some of the largest and finest in Europe and
too good to miss. Our last walk is a half day
stroll taking coastal paths and tracks linking
Martello towers, built as defences against
invaders from the south. Towards the end of the
walk there is the chance to swim from one of the
nearby beaches followed by a late lunch and visit
to the caves. A truly fitting end to a remarkable
journey. |
|
|
Day 8 - Buen Viaje
Farewell
breakfast and transfer to Malaga airport or
onward travel. |
Click for Foto
Album
Click
for comments on the holiday
|
|
| Dates
& Prices |
Autumn
2010
Sat Sept 4 -11
Cost £575* p/p
|
|
Spring
2011 * *
Sat April 30 - May 7
Cost £595* p/p
|
|
What
is included:-
- 7 Nights en-suite
accommodation. - Four nights in
the Canillas Mirador and three
nights in the Hotel PlayaMaro.
- Hotel breakfasts.
- Evening meals with
wine at favourite restaurants.
(Excluding rest day)
- Guided walks for all
elements of the trail.
- Entrance to Maro
Caves.
- Transfer of bags
between locations.
- Transport to and
from walks as required.
- Airport transfers
from and back to Malaga airport
at specified times.
|
|
* All rooms are doubles. The extra
charge for single occupancy is £95 per week.
* * See Stop Press
|
| The
starting point for the holiday is Malaga
and we provide transfers at specified times from
the Malaga airport to Canillas de Albaida and
return from Maro. On arrival, transfers normally
leave from Malaga airport at 2.0 pm and return to
the airport at 11.00 am. Click here for travel and booking
information. |
|
