Tíjola: Cerro Negro

The lane that climbs up Cerro Negro is so steep that it has chevrons carved into the concrete the entire way up so vehicles can get more traction when the surface is wet. Our plan when we set out this morning was to climb up just a little way and then turn off to walk along the level banks of the Acequia de las Ventanas, one of the two major acequias that feed all the minor ones we’ve been seeing the past few days. However, when we reached the acequia, there were large signs in either direction saying “private property, no passage”. The acequia itself is community property, but unless we wanted to walk in the water, it seemed we’d be trespassing along the banks.

Angeles had told us earlier that the climb up Cerro Negro was steep but there were wonderful views to be had, so it was an easy decision to continue climbing. And it turned out to be a wise one! We had views all the way from Tíjola along the Rio Guadalfeo to El Puente de los Siete Ojos to Órgiva. Ned was able to use PeakFinder to learn that the pyramidal peak he been noticing for days is called Cerro de la Giralda. . On the way up there were terraced olive orchards, many balsas for water storage, and new cortijos to see around every bend. We could hear the bells of a large flock of sheep and had the good luck of seeing the sheep themselves on the way down, including the two dogs who were herding them. For a finale, we came around a corner with a great view of Órgiva just as the biggest religious celebration of the year began with hundreds of firecrackers all going off at once. We were glad we were so far away!Read more