| 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 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 three centre walking
holiday. |
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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
three carefully chosen rural hotels. all with
pools. 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. |
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Itinerary
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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.
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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. In the evening, we may stroll into Cómpeta
and have dinner at one of our favourite
restaurants. |
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Day
3 - Canillas de Albaida to La Fabrica
From the hotel
we climb to the top of the vilage and into the
hills. 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.
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Day 4 - La Fabrica to
Frigiliana
We say
farewell to Antonio and transfer back to La
Fabrica. 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 tapas lunch before the final part of
the walk to the delightful Posada de
Morisca, 2 km to the west of Frigiliana.
This hotel is our home for two nights
and a great location for our non walking day.
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Day 5 - Rest and Relaxation !
El Fuerte,
the hill towering above Frigiliana was the
scene of the final battle expelling the Moors from al-Andalus,
marking the end of the silk era. The gardens and
pool of the Posada are a pefect
place to relax. The bedrooms are a joy, all are
furnished in Moorish style with individual
terraces and Mediterranean views. Those wising to
explore may fancy a short walk to Frigiliana
and a leisurely lunch, or perhaps visit Nerja
and the beach. Others may succumb to the lure of El
Fuerte ! |
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Day 6 - Frigiliana to Maro.
Another
classic walk with spectacular sea and mountain
views. The route leaves Frigiliana through
the Higueron valley and 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 the coastal village of Maro
passing close to the famous caves. We
stay for the last two nights in the Playa Maro, a
simple but comfortable hotel on the edge of the
village. |
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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. |
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Day 8 - Buen Viaje
Farewell
breakfast and transfer to Malaga airport or
onward travel. |
Click for Foto
Album
Click
for comments on the holiday
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| Dates
& Prices |
Autumn
2008
Sat Sept 6 -13
Cost £495* p/p
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Spring
2009
Sun March 29- April 5
Sat May 30 - June 6
Cost £535* p/p
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What
is included:-
- 7 Nights en-suite
accommodation. - Three nights in Mirador
de Canillas. Two nights Posada
de Morisca, two nights Playa
Maro.
- Breakfasts.
- Six evening meals
with wine
- 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.
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* All rooms are doubles. The extra
charge for single occupancy is £95 per week.
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| 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. |
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