Remote Ridges of Los Alayos de Dilar

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Circular Distance 20km Ascent 980m Time 7hrs

• Access: Dilar, accessed in 10 minutes from main Granada-Motril Autovia
• Start: Trailhead alongside river 3km E of town. Follow the main road through Dilar until you pass just over a bridge, turn right. Follow until car park at the end of the road is reached. Suitable for saloon cars
• End: Same as start

Route Description

The first task is to get to Collado del Pino at the far eastern side of the main Alayos ridge. Walk up the valley of the Rio Dilar, which you cross at several points. Higher up the valley the path improves as it nears the Toma de Canal. Cross the river and follow the path on the west side of the Cuesta del Pino until you reach the Collado del Pino.

The ridge itself can be followed in its entirety by those with a head for heights and loads of surplus energy. Otherwise there is a good but narrow path just below the actual ridge crest.

The ridge has many summit but the best is the Corazon de la Sandia (“Heart of the Watermelon”). This peak is 1877m high and gives a sharp exposed scramble to reach its rocky top. This whole area has thick green forest on one side of the ridge crest and arid badlands on the other. This makes for an interesting day out!

Continue on the ridge for another 1km until a way can be made down to the north to pick up paths and a dry valley that leads back to the start point.

Recommended map: Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada 1:40000 www.penebetica.com

Download link - GPX file