Loja - senderos / walking hiking routes

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jamesbowker
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Location: Loja

Loja - senderos / walking hiking routes

Postby jamesbowker » Tue Oct 03, 2017 11:23 am

We've enjoyed several routes in the Loja/Riofrio/Venta del Rayo area and wish to add a hike up to the "Cross" to the list. One problem, my partner isn't great with a combination of a narrow path and a sharp drop! Has anyone walked up to "La Cruz" and could provide a description of the route please? Looking at the material available on the internet it doesn't appear too challenging but fitness levels are not so much the issue! We walked the Caminito del Rey a couple of weeks ago and whilst it involves long stretches of vertigo inducing heights there were not any real issues as the (re) construction is of a high standard and there are barriers along almost the entire length, it is virtually impossible to fall. Many thanks.

olive
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Re: Loja - senderos / walking hiking routes

Postby olive » Tue Oct 03, 2017 5:17 pm

Can't help you with that one.

Another nice walk is to go from the "railway station" in Loja up past the transmitters and follow what once was the direct drovers route from Loja to Ventorros de San Jose. You go through the spread out village of Los Arenales past the former school, taking in a solar farm before arriving at Las Salinas hamlet. There you take the road to Ventorros de san Jose with splendid views down to the ruined moorish castle of Zagra. Ventorros de San Jose has bars/cafes and I believe a once a day early evening bus back to Loja! If you are feeling more energetic for a circular route then turn left at Las Salinas and take in the eight or so Dolmens (free and open year round) at Sierra Martilla. Great views there of Lake Iznajar normally. You can also see the remnants of a long wall surrounding a hilltop fort/meeting place from the copper age. From there drop down into the Genil valley and follow the fairly decent gravel road back to Loja. That follows in part an old Roman Road I believe from Loja to maybe Priego de Cordoba. You pass through an abandoned hamlet which is quite interesting and also some heavily wooded areas near the river which team with wildlife. This latter part is part of the long GR7 which takes in Zagra, Montefrio and beyond on another day.

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jamesbowker
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Joined: Fri Feb 07, 2014 4:11 pm
Location: Loja

Re: Loja - senderos / walking hiking routes

Postby jamesbowker » Tue Oct 03, 2017 6:20 pm

That's really useful & interesting info, Cheers Olive!


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