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Hidden Gems in the Northern Málaga Mountains

Diputación de Málaga
Plaza Ochavada. Archidona

Hidden Gems in the Northern Málaga Mountains

Seven towns that are bursting with history, have a rich cultural heritage and marvellous cuisine.

The Sierra Norte or Nothern Málaga Mountains start at historic Archiona, and turns into a connection between Eastern and Western Andalusia, an area which borders on Granada and Córdoba and embraces varied landscapes and rich history. There are seven towns in this area: Archidona, Cuevas Bajas, Cuevas de San Marcos, Villanueva de Algaidas, Villanueva de Tapia, Villanueva del Rosario and Villanueva del Trabuco, .

Archidona - a natural heritage site

This is the most important of the above towns as it has the largest population and has a long history and the most significant cultural heritage. It is placed in the centre of the northeastern area of Málaga, on the lower slope of the Sierra de Gracia, and it is mostly covered in plains and mountains. In the old town, there is a spectacular Ochavada square. This town is designated a Historical and Artistic Complex with beautiful baroque buildings. Its Arab wall and the chapel and mosque Our Lady of Grace, at an altitude of 900 m, stand out. This is the only temple with Arab origins that has been preserved in the province.

The town is located at a strategic place, in the centre of Andalusia, and it is well connected by the A-92 motorway.

Best places to visit: Ochavada Square, Las Mínimas Convent, The church Our Lady of Victory, Cilla building , Our Lady of Grace Chapel, St Domingo Monastery, Mozarabic Culture Interpretive Centre, medieval castle's ruins, different natural beauty spots like Marín Stream Ravine, its forest on the river bank and lakes. Moreover, two of the festivals have been distinguished due to their unique nature and tourist importance: Dogs Fair (between the end of April and beginning of May) and night festival dedicated to Our Lady of Grace (on 14th August).

Cuevas Bajas and Marvelous Countryside

This town is connected to Genil River, which has a birdwatching point and adventure sports supply, above all, rafting close to the province of Córdoba and spillways of the Iznájar reservoir. This town is placed at the confluence of the Burriana Stream and the Genil River and it is surrounded by olive trees. It has a wonderful panoramic view of the borders of Málaga, Granada, Córdoba and Seville. The Mozarabic Camino de Santiago (the Way of St James) links this town with Córdoba through Benameji.

St John the Baptist Church  stands out in the town, together with some noble houses with balconies that oversee the Real Street with bars on the windows and wooden doors full of crafted details. There are many paths outside the town, some of which are part of the villages El Cedrón and La Moheda, where one can admire vernacular architecture. Agusadera Wheel on the Genil river is specially interested in this fertile land with unique products.

Best Places to Visit The Genil riverbank, Agusadera Wheel and the unique festivity in the province dedicated to the black carrot.

Cuevas de San Marcos and Iznajar Reservoir

St Mark the Evangelist Church is the most famous in the village, as are its whitewashed houses with bars and patios. The River Genil goes through this village, like many paths and routes that go through pine forests around the Iznájar reservoir, a stunning nature rich in wild life. The surroundings area is ideal for water sports such as canoeing and rafting and bird watching.

Sheer natural sites here have plenty of prehistoric caves, such as Belda Cave with traces of old inhabitants in the Sierra the Camorro.  This mountain range has a fault which is designated Natural Andalusian Monument due to its geological value. The cave cannot be visited as there is a colony of bats which is protected.

Best places to visit: Senda de los Milenios Interpretive Centre, Aceña Wheel, Luis Armiñán's Bridge, the Sierra del Camorro fault and two unique festivities, according to the County Council's designations: Carmelites' festival in honour of the local patron saint on 16th July, and the festival dedicated to the Andalusian dog breed maneto at the beginning of April.

Villanueva de Tapia - poems to the land and light

This is the world capital of oral improvised poetry, as this town's centre has typical streets with fountains and jasmine as it is typical in this area. St Peter the Apostle church, founded by the Most Reverend Pedro de Tapia on the main square,  stands out with Allalantes fountain. These are symbolic rural surroundings, which offer piece and quiet, have view points and countryside routes, such as the one that leads to Trifinio (where the provinces of Málaga, Granada and Córdoba meet) or the olive groves route with stunning views over the olive trees.

Best Places to Visit Old town washing place, St Peter the Apostle church and the cattle fair, which belongs to the group of Unique Festivities in the Province of Málaga, celebrated in October.

Villanueva del Rosario - cliff climbing heaven

At the foot of the Sierra de Camarolos, which is part of the  the Arco Calizo Central mountain range, this village is rather linked to the steep mountain. There is wonderful scenery and the place is ideal for adventure sports, like hiking, mountain biking and free climbing. Hondonero view point is an important landmark, as well the area of Hondonero all together, considering that it is a natural beauty place which is only few kilometres away from the town centre and where water makes natural waterfalls and beautiful landscape everyone would admire.
The irregularly formed streets are decorated with vernacular architecture buildings, as well as Our Lady of the Rosary church and country chapel, a place of pilgrimage, which is outside the town.

Best Places to Visit Hondonero, Our Lady of the Rosary country chapel and the unique festivity in the province - the festival of golden thistle in March.

Villanueva de Algaidas - the place of birth of sculptor Miguel Berrocal

The village is famous for its white walls with many flower pots in sunny days and Our Lady of Consolation church. The town is ideal for hiking along rugged paths up to the medieval bridge at the Bebedero Stream There is also an interesting complex of buildings made of the old convent of St Francis of Assisi and an old Mozarabic cave church. The town has a house and famous versatile sculptor Berocal's workshop and studio, which is also the head office of the Sculptor Berrocal's Foundation. He was the author of the first bust of Goya that is later on used as the award at Goya Awards ceremonies.

There are stunning views of farmland and olive groves, which are many kilometres long and have driven the development of a flourishing industry. The town is the part of the Mozarabic Camino de Santiago (the Way of St James) and has a small town hostel for pilgrims.

Best Places to Visit Berrocal's legacy and the ruins of the cave church.

Villanueva del Trabuco - the source of the river Guadalhorce

This is a mountain village at the border with the province of Granáda. There are paths that go through forests, where one can do adventure sports, go mountain biking and paragliding. The most famous landmarks are Fuente de los Cien Caños (the Fountain of the Hundred Spouts), where the source of the Guadalhorce is, and austerely built Our lady of Sorrows church, as well as the squares Plaza de España and Plaza del Prado, where the centre of the town and shops are.

Best Places to Visit The Fountain of the Hundred Spouts and 'Especial Trabuco', a festival labelled as the unique festivity of the province by the County Council.