Recommended month to visit it: November.

It is typical of the human being to create metaphors that give shape to its perceptions. The Arab Stairway of Sierra de Huma is not such, but someone must have thought that it looked like the Muslim constructions.

The Stairway is a unique construction that allows us to pass through the mountain range of Castillones, through its central section, instead of going around a long limestone wall, and takes us to the Cortijo [country house] of Can Pedrero.

The Stairway takes advantage of a fault on the wall and through a series of steps which are cut in rock or prepared with stones and other rocks of the area (there are more than 256 of different shapes and sizes) overcomes a steep slope in a more or less comfortable way for both people and animals. It is located in the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Natural Park.

Coordinates

• Parking: 343269 / 4085984
• Start of route: 343283 / 4086336
• Trail start: 344623 / 4087033
• Escalera árabe: 344202 / 4086980

More info

The Arab Stairs have been known from the beginning of the 20th century, although there is no evidence that can confirm the correctness of their name.

This outstanding work of mankind in a form of stairs allows us to climb the central part of the Castillones Mountains. They provide alternative way to the one around a long limestone wall, giving access to Cortijo de Can Pedrero (Can Pedrero Ranch).

The stairs, which were made thanks to interruptions on the walls, consist of nearly three hundred stairs of different shapes and dimensions. They are carved in rocks or made by the rocks and stones from that place, and they make this steep side of the mountain more or less accessible for people or animals.

The route that includes the stairs goes from the railway station in the village el Chorro (The Spurt), and 400 metres later it connects to the other route called Haza del Río, which is indicated.

This is a wide way that goes uphill through a replanted pine forest. During the climbing, the views of the horizon and panorama surrounded by Aleppo pine trees get more and more beautiful.

On the way to the top, you can survey a reservoir and its dam. A hydroelectric power station seems to be carved on it, and only its chimney can be seen behind the Sierra de la Pizarra (the Pizarra Mountains) in the area Mesa de Villaverde.

The views along the route are extraordinary. The uphill part of the way can be done along the path Haza del Río or the Arab Stairs, but the way down is towards El Chorro due to the steep terrain.

The experience you get from climbing is incredible due to all these delightful cliffs that can be seen. You will be overwhelmed with emotions from the very beginning of the way and during the immersion in the Aleppo pine forest.

An uphill road with signs GR-7 leads to the Mountain Pass of Flandes. It goes past the ruins of an old quarry that was used in building the Reservoir La Encantada (Enchanted One) and gets to the Arab Stairs.