Travels with Robert and Sue, Gonzo-style

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

2024- Capistrano- updated hiking experiences

 Hello from Capistrano Village....here is the sunrise view we see every morning. 


My new motto
Hiking and walking is a major focus for us. Every night, someone puts out an email....who wants to hike?   Depending on the weather , we have so many choices: mountains, barrancos, coastal, beaches. We can walk to most trailheads situated near Capistrano Village.  There is a local bus for $1. that takes us to Frigiliana, a beautiful mountain village 3 kms. up from Nerja.  There are many trails which take you into the mountains behind us.   We have shared car rentals with people in the past which opens up our possibilities. 
Excursion to Al Acebuchal
Very popular destination this year!
We went several times. 
#1-! We hired a 7 person van through Servando at Nerja Villas and away we went! Van driver is Manuelo with NexoTransfer 
@ +34-666 168 756 
We made lunch reservations for 1:00....thank you Penny, for suggesting! 
Below picture: Last year's view to villages below as we walk down from our van taxi. The far ridge lit up sunshine is Puerta Verde , our destination. 
Some history and pix from the new menu. 


We had a "snack" of fresh made bread....dipping it in oil and spices! 

Lovely view from the new terrace beside the restaurant. Richard is waving! 
We did a wander through the upper village and then down a kilometre to the lower village.  Remarkable changes again as new renovations pop up every year.  There are 7 rentals in the village now. Below, a "fixer-upper". ☺️
In front of the newly renovated El Acebuchal restaurant- Johanne and Ben celebrate their first time  

Lunch awaits! 

#2- 14 km. hike up to Puerta Verde- 
Green dot- car parked 
White dot- Puerta Verde 
Red dot- El Acebuchal 


Great view down to Acebuchal....with Fraser, our fearless leader! 
Senoritas waiting for their customers! 
Below, a critical junction- Go to the RIGHT of this signpost, just after the cortijo. If you go left,   you'll be heading towards Competa, 18 kms. away. 😱
Lunch break halfway up to Puerta Verde 
At the Puerta Verde with Lucero beyond 

Diane and Sue at the Puerta Verde with Lucero beyond-  844 meters
Starting down the track
Another pause, this time lunch....
Time to head down to Acebuchal....
Yet another break ☺️
#3- 2 lunch groups with some short walks towards Competa 
Park the car at the Village (blue dot), then walk down from the village on the road towards Competa  
Amazing Mediterranean salad 
Signage on our way towards Competa

Geology lesson on anticlines  ☺️
Eglisia San Antonio- renovated in 2007
Keeping watch over the "lost village"

Perfect place for a glass of vino Blanca 
LaMan Trail- Frigiliana to Pinarillo picnic area to the Nerja caves - done twice in 2024! 
 #1 with Penny and Robin
#1
At the top of the first ridge after a steep ascent from the Hugeron riverbed
A limestone kiln along the first ridge 
Looking back from the 2nd ridge 
Happy to be halfway! 
Views to Almendron peak 
Crossing the rio Chillar- quite full of water! 
Robin gave us a good helping hand across the torrent 


Well done, us!! What an amazing day ❤️ crossing over the 3 ridges, seen behind our group.  
Now, just 8 kms. More to go, walking down the road from the picnic area to the caves, then across to Capistrano Village. Below, the newly opened Ermita near the Cueva Nerja on our way back to Capistrano Village. 
View to the aqueduct- high flying paraglider! 
LeMan Trail #2- with the Canadian friends 
Above, the start of the ascent to the first ridge from the Hugeron riverbed....We had a welcome orange snack at the first ridge after coming up from the Hugeron,  looking across the 3 ridges to our destination near the Fuente Esparto, then powered over the 3 ridges.  Snacks and water at each ridge. ☺️
The trail was very stable underfoot with lots of sand from last week's huge rain holding stones in place. Always time to hug the huge red pine halfway along. 
 However, difficult descent being very rubbly and full of scree going down to the Chillar. Rainfall must have loosened up the rocks. 
Chillar River was very high from the torrential rains last weekend. Boots off, waded across!  Fun time!  Lunch on the "beach" enjoying the sights and sounds of the rushing water. Video available.
Heading up!!!  The aqua duct on the ascent was half the depth of January.  No soaking of feet! 
Oh! The heat on the ascent to the fire road.  I felt like I was in a sauna half the time.  We went from shaded area to the next, picking up some cooling breezes.   We each had 1.5 litres so we kept well dehydrated.  I had a half-frozen one, so refreshing.   I think next year I'll only do this hike in January to mid-February. 
For me, I was very pleased to do it in 8.2 hour,  45 minute less than the 9 hour hike on Jan. 25 with Penny, Robin and Fiona. Ha! In 2023 I did it in 7.5 hours. Could it be an age thing??!! 😂😂
Great hiking companions with Rose and Anne:  coaching us up to the fire road!  Anne became our Shade guru: "shade up here, come on, you can do it!"  Desperate to be cooled off....🥵🔥
Thank you for the encouragement ....and cheering on Robert as he climbed up to the fire road!!
 That makes 3 big hikes for Robert: top of Cielo with Rose as well as his overnight camping halfway up Cielo. 
Opéra hike starting at Méson Los Prados on Rte. 4050 up past Otivar
What else?  Café con leche in front of a roaring fire in Méson Los Prados to prepare for our hike😘

Halfway up with our destination in sight....white building at the top of the ridge 

Very informative board about local vegetation- snow-capped Sierra  Nevada beyond 


At the summit of Opéra, beside the emergency cache. 
Girls in lime with señor, Sierra watching us! 

Wonderful lunch at Méson de Los Prados 

Senor and senora with hanging jamons

Yes, this pooch hung out with us 2 years ago.  Oh, the stories he could tell us! 
Last visit 😘 He leaned on my leg and snuggled a bit! 

El Torcal



Lunchtime overlooking the valleys way below
Tight squeeze through the karst 





TERRANUEVA  (near Motril)



Magnificent views along the coast 
Suspension bridge with glass floor to start the walk 

Group photo at the mirador 
Happy St David's Day! A Welsh holiday....
Walking through the farmlands, overlooking Terranueva

Maro to Cortijo Almachar 

Group at first mirador (viewpoint) 
Great view of Nerja way below 
Views from the cortijo 

Lunch break after checking for snakes....yes, you read that right! 
Relaxing with people while nibbling our lunches.....views to Maro way below 
Group celebration in Maro- never has cerveza tasted so GOOD!  2 extra people joined us to celebrate!  
El Fuerte 

A VERY tough hike: need pauses that refreshes! 

View from Fuerte to El Cielo- Hugeron river below- LeMan trail on opposite ridge 

HUGERON- from Frigiliana to Cortijo Cancar 
I really loved this hike: cool, serene, lovely sounds of birds and water, fantastic views up to ridges from the Hugeron riverbed, interesting waterworks crews channeling our most precious resource, water.   The view to the cortijo de Conca was tantalizing.  I'd love to come back and find the path up to the cortijo!  The terraces of olive trees were beautiful. 
The company was excellent, including John who joined in, (who has climbed 80 Munros in Scotland, run 150 marathons...great to hear of your interests, John!) 
A real gem of a day


Lunch break 

Maureen Cooling her feet 
A beautiful shrine along the way 
Waterfall at the end of the walk
Workers capturing water from the Hugeron


Orientation map
 
Coastal views and excursions 
Loop trail behind Cuevas Nerja 

Above, stunning views over to Capistrano Village and Nerja  
Below- view from the Roman Road to the 1888 bridge and the Larios aqueduct  
Burriana Beach walks 
And a swim! 
And some kayaking

Unique view into the caves, waterfall close by 

Beautiful, stunning view to Cielo....love this pic 
Hugeron excursion- the cement staircase defeated us!  
Norma heading up, brave lady!! 
Took the alternate route up to Frigiliana 
Maro Tower multiple groups 

January group 
February group 
March
Herbs and flowers with view to the tower- note calima haze 

Cuevas Nerja treats 

After a great performance (All That Jazz, Edith Pief) at the Cultural Salon in Nerja- ice cream at the Balcon Europa. 


Robert's wild camping adventure- ask him for the story!! Yellow highlight marks his trail through the Maro barranco, then up the Romero Road towards Cielo
Sunrise view from the Cielo ridge, Nerja way below  
Campsite- note rocks 
Cycling!
At the market....


More cycling- heading out 

Acebuchal loop to Puerta Verde-  2023
Green dot- parked our car
Blue dot- Puerta Blanquilla 
Red dot- Acebuchal 
View to our destination, Puerto Verde, farthest ridge lit up by sunshine. In the valley below is the village of Al Acebuchal. 
Halfway to the Puerto, a cortijo (seen below) from days gone by, a stopping off place for travellers carrying produce where they could find accommodations, water and food. Here we are enjoying water and a snack! 
Hostess of the cortijo! 

Just past this cortijo is a critical junction: to the left lies the trail to Competa, straight ahead lies Puerto Verde. 
Puerto Verde views to Lucero 
Michael contemplating 


Critical sign to watch for….turn left here and head down that road to Acebuchal.  If you go right, you’re heading to Competa over a VERY long 13 km. detour. 
Almost at Al Acebuchal….a wonderful group of hikers in 2023 who helped us orient….thank you for leading us back so well! It was special to share a cerveza with you! 

2023- ARCHEZ TO COMPETA- 11.3 kms.
Ruta de Los Molinos (water mills)


Hiking along the river from Archez

Beautiful Roman bridge (lowest arch) which we cross over and then start climbing up to Canalliss del Abaida on the old Roman road (2nd pic) 

View to shoulder of Maroma from Canallis del Abaida


Walkway on the edge of the village 

Village square with gorgeous flower planters, church and water fountain

Beautiful walk over to Competa through olive groves 



Below, Heading back to Archez along the river again. Water mill behind our group. 

Almost arrived back in Archez, a lovely 11 km. loop. Very happy group!  

Acebuchal excursion towards Competa -12 kms.

The below map shows the Acebuchal hike as well as other nearby hikes out of Frigiliana.


We park at the quattro caminos intersection and hike down to El Acebuchal.  The blue dot is the upper village of Acebuchal.

View to Acebuchal and the Puerto Verde  pass. See older Blog for our adventures into this area of the mountains.

EL TORCAL- 2023


What a view from the ridge!  And we saw 3 fossils as a bonus….

Mirador near the Visitor’s Center 
Tight fit in the labyrinth of El Torcal 
Geology lesson thanks to Robert 

Taking in the views to the Mediterranean coast 

Strange and wonderful karst formations- Robert and Wanda coming up with pooch  

El Torcal #2

OPÉRA HIKES 


Barranco Maro to the Romero Road- 14 plus kms. and back to the Cueva Nerja.....and a sweet treat with cafe con leche!


 
At least once a week, different combination groups of our hiking buddies do this 10 km. hike along the Barranco Maro and back along the road back down to the Cueva Nerja.  You can do a "side loop" up the Romero road as far as you'd like depending on the time available (see map above).  It is peaceful and cool in the barranco (dry river bed), the bird song is lovely and it is a great "training hike" to build up our fitness conditioning. 
Below picture shows us about to go up to the road.  From there you can head north (to the left) to the Esparto picnic grounds or head south towards the Nerja cave area. 

If you head up the road towards Cielo Mountain on the Romero road, you start to have great views over to the cement "saddle" at the end of the Le Man trail which starts in Frigiliana.  See photo below.  The name of the mountain to the right of the saddle is Almendron.

Pet Cemetery hike

This hike starts right behind the Capistrano Village.  It is a 20 minute walk from our apartments to the trailhead. Views to Frigiliana are the reward! 

The below image shows the 4 trails which converge at the top of the hill. The top one is the start of the trail which eventually ends up on the rio Chillar.  The upper right one would go up towards the esparto picnic grounds along a ridge.
Decent elevation gain....;-O
Checking out the contrails coming in and out of Malaga airport.

And views down to Nerja
We did it!!
Lucky X in the sky!! Right over Frigiiana ;-) Montes Fuerte is to the right of Frigiliana.  Acebuchal is behind that mountain in the ravine.
LeMan Trail- 16 kms.
3 versions with 3 different groups of friends 
Frigiliana to the Picnic Area and down to the Cueva Nerja- 13 km. then 3 kms. back to Capistrano Village
+++TAKE LOTS OF WATER

 



With Jim and Diane, Rose and Anne, Robert P.-2022
 Panorama view overlooking the Hugeron river below and over towards the picnic area. 

Stunning view to El Cielo.... 6 kms beyond
Halfway to El Cielo and Almedron peak

  

Robert, our wonderful mountain guide with so many stories and so much knowledge.

Crossing the rio Chillar before heading up to the "saddle" near the picnic area.  Very tough part of the hike....hot in the afternoon sun. Take lots of water ....

Lunch break near the river....


On the "saddle" near the picnic area, looking back towards Frigiliana. Next up, 7 kms. down to the caves and back to Capistrano.    It's a very long day...but wonderful!!

With Penny and Robin, Fiona and John- 2023


Cruz de Pinto- 14 kms.


Great destination at the Cruz de Pinto.....which can be seen from Nerja and Frigiliana (behind Diane and Jim).   The students go here to celebrate graduating from high school!  ;-O
Frigiliana with El Fuerte beyond (next hike described below).  The start of the LeMan trail is due north of this picture. The visible trail goes down to the Hugeron past an abandoned farm.
Panorama picture showing much of the LeMan trail heading east.  Can you see the trail? Nerja is down below to the right.

This is how fast weather can change in the mountains...rio Chillar is down below.

El FUERTE- in light red on the map

Trail starts in the uppermost part of Frigiliana. 

 
 


View over to El Cielo with rio Hugeron far below.
R and A enjoying the view to the Mediterranean Sea. The ridge walk comes in from the left after a steep climb up from Frigiliana, seen just beyond the ridge. Nerja is further beyond near the sea.
Our highest point in the hike....black clouds and rumbles of thunder were intimidating us and we headed back down.  To Diane's right you can see the trail which comes up from El Acebuchal, Puerto Blanquilla.
Checking our maps.....!!  Frigiliana beyond.   You can see the Cruz de Pinto and Nerja is beyond that hill. Rio Hugeron is below Frigiliana.
Our reward in Frigiliana!

Zafayra- 6 km.

2022- with Diane and Jim 


 

Top of Zafayra Pass after an arduous drive up the highway from Velez Malaga on the coast....

Overlooking the village of Zafayra
Sheep up on the Zafayra ridge......road to the coast way below.
Trail goes to the right of the mountain, around the back and out to the left.   It loops back to the village of Zafayra.
After these hikes near Zafayra we drive east on the abandoned railway tracks towards some very good restaurants. 

Zafayra- 2023- with Norma and Fraser



Steep climb up from the road going through Zafarya Pass. The views!! 

Views to the pass from the ridge- old road to Malaga seen below  

Huge flock of sheep roaming the hillsides….this poor little lambic is needing a lot of help.  Space blanket, food, more.  We left a banana and water. 

View to the snowfields of the Sierra Nevada at the topsimply “wow”. 

View to Maroma….double wow. The terraces hillsides are gorgeous. 

Signage in the village of Zafayra/ part of the GR 7

Opera Hikes

With Jim and Diane- Mediterranean Sea beyond with glimpses of the twisty road coming up from the coast.  The small bit of water is near the Rio Verde trail system

 And with Lorraine and Bill who introduced us to this spectacular hiking area many years ago....the snowy Sierra Nevada is seen way beyond. 


After enjoying our lunch here, we headed in a big loop back to the road.  We had a beautiful encounter with the friendliest dog ever who followed us all the way back!!  Can you see what he has in his mouth??!!   Could that be a goat??!!

Check out the view beyond....that is the backside of El Cielo and 

 This pooch carried the rack of goat all the way down...:-0


Time for a group shot....what a memorable day!!
View beyond to the Mediterranean Sea
 Meson Los Prados seen below, a welcome treat at the end of a lovely day of hiking Opera. It only opens in early March, depending on how much snow is on the "goat highway".   This spectacular road is the old road from Granada to Motril. Best to go UP the road and then return on the new expressway. ;-)

Cuevas Nerja Walks 
At least once a week, we'd head over towards Maro (3 kms. behind the sugar mill) and do this new trail that goes up behind the Cueva Nerja area.  You are literally right above the huge cave system!  The information boards are excellent.

Steep climb up from the entrance to the caves, then you are rewarded with views back to El Cielo (see below)
and views west down the coast towards Nerja.  If you look closely, you can see the Sugar Mill. The highway is the A7 which goes all along the south coast of Andalusia.
Wonderful viewpoint at the top of our climb up from the caves. A few information boards along the hiking path....fascinating. The little maps show where you are in relation to the caves below your feet.

A cafe con leche near the caves...plus an apple fritter dessert with gelato and whipping cream.  Gotta replace those calories, right??
Maro to the Cortijo hikes



 We did this hike twice: once with Robert, our special mountain guide along with Rose and Ann. The 2nd time was with Jim and Diane, Rose and Ann.  We only got to the cortijo with Rose, Ann and Robert....the other time, the rain caught us! We ended up coming down the adjacent barranco pretty quickly. 
A compilation of pictures:
Trailhead is here at the water fountain...the trail goes up behind us to the electric pylons. 
The magical (so-called) fountain of water which locals and others come to and fill up their jugs with water.
Steep climb up from the fountain before heading through the farmlands.  You can see the Maro tower beyond the highway.
Two groups of hikers, two different views....wow.... 
This pano picture shows Nerja on the right, Maro straight ahead and the Maro tower area to the left.
Really like this picture....relaxing beside the trail with Robert, Anne and Rose during our lunch break.
Finally, at the cortijo!
Yes, that is El Cielo way up and behind me....what a great perspective.  We will hike straight towards it before coming down the Romero road.
Robert checked out the area for....snakes sunning themselves!! Should I be leaving my knapsack on the ground?  NO!!
Robert is so knowledgeable about these mountains...behind him you can see Nerja.

Now, I'll go and pick up my knapsack and shake out the snakes!! 

Here is the map showing us heading over to the Romero road.

 

Capistrano Village to Frigiliana by the Hugeron Barranco

  


                Into the canyon area....

We get around a huge rockfall by this great cement staircase.....a bit unnerving.
 

Yes, the pathway gets this narrow....we are about 50 feet above the rockfall that blocked the Hugeron cayon.

We passed the cutoff for the Cruz de Pinto....

Getting close to Frigiliana, seen way up behind us.  It is a huge climb up to the village...needs 20% of the total energy. ;-)
And here we are, overlooking the Hugeron riverbed from Frigiliana! The remains of the Moorish castle can be seen just above the aquaduct. There is a sugar refining mill for the sugar molasses, only made here.

Off for a refreshing cerveza.....

Maro Tower - 11 km.

  

Another destination that gives us a wonderful outing at least once a week.  Below, looking back at the Maro village which is part of the abandoned Larios sugar mill.   We stop "up there" at a cafe for a great cafe con leche treat after we return from the Maro Tower.

   Our tower destination is in sight across one final barranco, giving us 275 meters of elevation gain. Good cardio!

Almost ready to do the 10 minute scramble up to the tower.  

Arrived!  What views up and down the coast! Check out El Cielo way behind us...a great direction beacon wherever you are in Nerja.


Because of ongoing drought, there have been many bush fires.  Here is one from last year as we walk out towards the highway and back to Maro village. In the 2nd picture you can see new growth out of the roots.  The drought has reduced the reservoirs in Andalusia province to 10-20% capacity. 

 
Larios Sugar Mill ruins

These are situated halfway between Nerja and Maro.  Unsightly BUT full of local history.  Many plans have ben proposed for these ruins.   Golf course and clubhouse? The Larios family controlled the sugar cane industry for over a century.  There are remnants in the town of Nerja overlooking the rio Chillar.  The aquaduct system was built to bring water into the mill and to carry away waste water. A heli-gliding company uses this area for tourists to enjoy a flight along the coast.

 Salabrena Excursion


Always ready to enjoy a sweet with a cafe con leche.

Loved walking through the narrow streets, reminding us of Frigiliana and the many white villages we have enjoyed in Anadalusia.

Wonderful walkabout in the castillo arabe. Below are the Arab baths, so similar to the Roman baths I've seen over the years.
View to the Mediterranean Sea from the castle ramparts. Water cistern can be seen near bath area.  Critical to withstand a siege.

Nerja Market Days on Tuesdays

Baskets under a banyon tree
Veggies and herbs- a huge array of local produce!
Bought myself a straw hat and pansies for our terrace!
Local pottery is beautiful....so are the gals!!
Photo below- 12 lettuce plugs bought at a Velez Malaga greenhouse which were ready for eating within 2 weeks.  See 2nd photo below.   Keeps us in lettuces for 3 months.

Week of veggies from the Tuesday market.....about $15. Canadian.


Jamon, anyone??!!  Price is determined by the amount of fat in the jamon, where it was grown and what the pigs ate.  Acorns are best, apparently. 

 Mangoes, lemons and papayas are adjacent to our trails....they say if they are hanging outside the fence we can pick them.    Hmmmm...

Cheers from our terrace! Quality local produce, lots of outdoor activity, socializing with friends and sunshine keeps us healthy and happy.
Tapas is very popular....the Canadian expat community here at Capistrano Village had a tapas celebration for St Patrick's Day in 2022.  8 couples each brought 2 tapas and a BYOB ....enough for a meal the next day!
Here are my 2 dishes: roasted red pepper and sardines with cream cheese on tostitos and....
Homemade guacamole, smoked salmon on zucchini with cilantro

Geology professor on Playa marina
 
View to the Playa Marina from our hikeAnother cafe con leche! Burriana Beach- simply a wonderful 4 km. outing with some cardio to challenge you a bit

 

Below, a view from Burriana beach to El Cielo and fishing boat.  Every night the local fishers go out and fish, bringing back their catch directly on to the beaches.

Erosion on Burriana Beach
Torrecillo Beach- wild waves, wild woman!  The watchtower has been decimated by the many winter storms. 

Below a picture of the "Cobblestone Bridge" restaurant overlooking the rio Chillar after another lovely walk in the barranco.   Views back to the mountains are spectacular. 

Once a week, I do the 12 km. loop that starts at our flats in Capistrano Village, walk over to the rio Chillar at the A7 expressway, down the barranco to the Mediterranean Sea stopping at the Cobblestone Bridge restaurant, then along the coastline visiting 5 beaches before heading up to Capistrano Village by Burriana beach. Lots of opportunity to stop for a coffee, a sweet, shop a bit, maybe an all-you-can-eat paella at Ayos for your dinner that day!  Chock full of chicken, prawns....and paella rice!  The view to the beach and ocean is so special.

I enjoyed a wonderful walk down to Burriana Beach and Ayo's with my 2 buddies.....and enjoyed a meal and ice cold cervezas at our favourite destination, Ayo's.  Next time, we ate at Bruxelles on Burriana Beach.

Another wonderful destination, Andalus restauarant in Maro.  A favorite of our dear friend, Richard, who introduced it to us many years ago.   Here we are after our hike up to the Esparto picnic grounds and back (10 kms).....just in time to avoid a deluge rainstorm! Can you see Diane out there testing her rain gear??!  ;-O

Was one of those cervezas Jim's?? Below, a delicious platter of aubergines and molasses honey glaze!
Our friends R and A were recommended this paella restaurant in Nerja....you need to order ahead and oh!  is it worth it!  A roaming band of troubadours serenaded us at the end of the evening. Ole!!
Another popular stopping off point for us over the years is the Balcon Europa restaurant.   The view is wonderful!  Here we are after doing the rio Chillar walk.

KK's is a special restaurant located in San Juan Capistrano.  Since 2013 when we first started going to Nerja, Robert and I often would stop here for a refreshing cerveza after doing the Pet Cemetery hike. Below, our hiking group enjoyed a terrace meal overlooking Capistrano.

 And the special culinary award goes to.....churros, fresh made at a kiosk on Nerja's main street opposite the China Home.  We go every Sunday and bring back a bag of hot churros, probably for the latest Canadian arrival to Spain. Snip, snip....and back we go with hot churros, complete with chocolate dipping sauce. YUM!!

Check out the setup that he is using...a spigot which dispenses the batter into the hot oil.
Worth a trip to this greenhouse in Velez Malaga to buy the lettuce plugs and flowers for the season.  Bill and Lorraine go there on a regular basis. 

Bentomiz Castillo

Quite an interesting trek up to this castle....mainly because we missed the turnoff for the top!  Why, you might ask.   Someone had placed the turnoff sign on the ground....it was anyone's guess which way to go.  As you can see from the MapMyWalk image above, we walked the circumference of the castle grounds...and headed up from the rear of the hill.  The Moors would've been amused to see this adventure! In any case a 2 km. trek turned out to be 9 kms.!!

  Fallen down sign.....which, oh which way, do we go??!!  We went to the left....and came down the road behind Bill and Lorraine.  Oh, did we laugh!!

Montes Malaga (located near El Torcal and overlooking Malaga from the mountains).  Here we are at the mirador lookout.

Yet another cafe con leche and a sweet....do you see a pattern here??!!
This hike starts at 767 meters and is located near the gardens of the area. What a great view down to Malaga!  Very similar to the dramatic view from El Torcal.

 So looking forward to hiking and walking this area with everyone.....here is one of my favorite photos from a few years back.  Most of these familiar people will be back for another season!

Ciao from Capistrano Village....another spectacular sunset seen from our terrace.