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JIMENA DE LA FRONTERA
The village of Jimena de la Frontera is a typical white
village with a population of some 3500. The houses nestle
into the outer folds of the Alcornocales
Nature Park and a Moorish castle with Roman foundations
straddles the hillside.
At one time the whole Alcornocales Nature Park had
a network of well trodden paths and mule tracks. However,
with the advent of the car and the human migration
away from the woods, people no longer have much need
to enter the park.
Today, most of the tracks are lost to the human eye
and there is certainly no waymarking of any kind once
into the woods. However, your guide Callum Christie,
has gradually mapped out where most of the pathways
previously ran and now has an intimate knowledge of
the surrounding countryside as do few others.
The Walks
The walks feature an abundance of native species of
flora and fauna, as well as evidence of its former human
inhabitants down through the centuries. Typically the
group will spend 7/8 hours daily exploring the park,
including short stops and a rewarding scenic spot for
a picnic lunch.
A selection of Callum’s full day walks might
include the following:
El Aljibe: Always good to get an overview of
the lie of the land, a climb to the highest peak in
the park (1092m). The area is of interest for the typical
‘canutos’, valleys where the sky is obscured
by the overhanging oak branches, trapping the humidity
below and giving rise to a rare collection of mosses,
ferns, and rhododendrons. The ascent passes a ruined
hamlet, once the isolated home to a clan of outlaws
and outcasts.
Wine Presses and Watermills: Crossing
the river Hozgarganta into prime cork oak woodland,
we pass by the semi-ruins of watermills used for grinding
wheat and other crops. A wine producing area in Roman
and Moorish times, all the vines disappeared due to
the phyloxera epidemic. The only clue nowadays that
there were ever grapes grown are the three or four basic
presses carved out of boulders that lie off the beaten
track.
Jurassic Park: A walk back in time
as we leave ruined farmsteads behind and head for
an interior area of hidden waterfalls, pools, gorges
and a griffon vulture colony.
Roman Relics: A glimpse of Roman sophistication
as we track down a forgotten settlement and its remains,
with a strategic site centred around an eyrie-like outcrop.
Here we will see the remains of a crematorium and down
in the valley, a mysterious sulphurous pool emerges
from the hillside.
Grading
The altitude at which walks take place will be between
200m and 1100m. This does not usually present any problems
to those who are used to walking regularly.
- Routes are mainly on good paths, but occasionally
some ‘off tracking’ will be required.
The length of the walks varies from 5 to 8 hours
and the maximumn change of altitude will not exceed
500m.
- You should have a good level of fitness and walking
boots are essential.
- The walking will be tailored to fit the capability
of the whole group, with short stops being a good
way to take in and find out more about the varied
surroundings.
- Some walks will require a drop off and/or pick
up in local transport.
The Accommodation
The Hostal el Anon is situated in the centre of Jimena
de la Frontera and is an enchanting mix of the foreign
and the familiar. Built from five adjoining village
houses, the hostal is a maze of split level patios with
lush greenery and palm trees at every turn. Each bedroom
has a different shape and design. With its own restaurant
supplying a delicious mix of local and international
cuisine and featuring an ample bar and terrace, it’s
only too easy to relax after a good day’s hike.
The views down to the Rock of Gibraltar from the dip
pool are stunning. 
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| Jimena De La Frontera |
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