The Sierra del Pedroso and the Dehesa pastures of Holm Oak (Up to km 2.7)

The steep climb from Villanueva de Tapia, up the livestock track of El Entredicho is through mature Olive groves with occasional gullies going off on each side. These are caused by erosion from sporadic and intense rainfall run-off. Keeping the Sierra on your left as you approach it, you pass a group of houses in ruins known as Los Curros (km 1.4). Shortly after, you pass the ruins of Casilla de la Sierra, an old farmhouse in an excellent strategic position, with views of La Nava and the shady slopes of the Sierra del Pedroso. A young Holm oak forest with numerous Kermes oaks covers the sharp lapies (limestone pavement) with a thick layer, making it difficult for hunters and mountaineers, the area’s most frequent visitors to reach the summit.

Interestingly enough, the Holm oaks that have made it down from the Sierra and close to the road tend to be smaller, while those in the middle of the Olive groves, on the right side of the road are larger. These are remnants of the area’s more glorious past. In spite of the human influence on the environment, a certain balance has been maintained in order to prevent soil erosion. So, natural woodland is left to occupy ravine bottoms, field boundaries, steep scree slopes, rocky outcrops and inclines.

The country house of El Cortijo de las Morenas is found at the iconic northern corner of the Sierra, just at the start of the El Infierno ravine (km 2.7). To the right of the path, the rugged river channel carries water north and is filled with dense vegetation. It later flows into the Bebedero stream before entering the village of the Stage’s destination. The farmhouse here is a fine example of a traditional construction, with an interior courtyard and cobblestones at the front, to fend off the abundant mud in the fields. You later pass a modest orchard with a few fruit trees: Quince, Walnut, Apricot, Fig, Pear and Persimmon trees. Alternative Route 3 also splits off here.

Farmhouses surrounded by Olive groves (Up to km 6.6)

A short way past the farmhouse, there is a ninety-degree turn to the south. From here onwards, the vegetation begins to change. Once you enter the municipality of Villanueva de Algaidas, Olives become the sole crop and only occupy hills of a certain size. This path has been used for centuries as access to the mountains and properties, the reason for it being lined by numerous houses and farmhouses. Next to the track, the country houses of Los Cascabeles and Los Isabelicos are close together. A little further on, next to the crossroads to Villarto, we find the Casa Blanca and the country houses of Aranda, Moreno and La Casilla. This marks the highest point of the route, at 900 metres above sea level.

The Arroyo del Bebedero stream (To the end of the stage)

Continue on down until you meet the MA-5100 road, which you walk along for some 500 metres, with El Endrinal (Blackthorn bushes) below you, and then take a country track to the right, heading west.

At the bottom and close to some warehouses and farmhouses, you cross the Arroyo del Bebedero stream. You then continue parallel to the stream, but halfway up the valley side before dropping down to the water’s edge (km 8.8). Rich woodland with many Holm oaks covers this area. You reach a larger track, whose bridge crosses the stream twice and then you begin the descent once again, on the right bank. Dense natural vegetation of Holm oak and Gall oak trees surrounds the pathway, which becomes diverse and varied woodland closer to the stream.

This small watercourse emerges from the western flank of the Sierra del Pedroso hills and follows the Great Path’s route and soon narrows considerably. There is then a pool from a small spring, followed by the water mill, El Molino Pozo. In front of this are other buildings, also in ruins. On the opposite side of the valley, you can see a wide band of Gall and Holm oaks on the steep clay escarpments, stretching down through Olive groves to the stream’s edge.

The riverbed here is compacted due to the high load of carbonate minerals, which led to the existence of a crayfish population in the past. The limestone strata underlying the clays can also be seen.

The most sheltered area is known as Rondán and Malabrigo. As the valley widens out, new houses appear along the way, Los Mateos, Los Peláez Castle and Ventorro el Prieto (an old inn) (km 11.8). These stray from the stream until you reach the Albaicín. Taking the left-hand fork and making a sharp 90-degree turn, you keep the property to the south and head downhill in a westerly direction, through Olive trees.

The route crosses the Bebedero stream again close to a group of buildings, where it climbs a little and comes to the Stage’s finish at the Peña de Villanueva de Algaidas hill.