Las Villas road

We join a narrow, paved road that crosses the Sierra de Las Villas, where we must go to the right. It is very little traveled, so we can walk placidly. At 700 meters we find a dirt track to the right that would take us, if we deviate from our stage (2.6 kilometers round trip), to the Molino de la Parra, located next to the Arroyo del Aguascebas Grande. Its state is dilapidated, but it shows the harshness of this land and of the people who until not so long ago inhabited the place.

Our journey continues along the aforementioned Las Villas road, and soon, 2.7 kilometers from the start of the stage, the side rocky walls mark the only possible step, already next to the Aguascebas Grande, which unravels in several jumps of Water. It is one of the many closed gates in the park, which is what the narrow and deep valleys enclosed between rock walls are called here. On the left we find several cavities that show the erosive action of the water in these limestone mountains, with forms of singular beauty.

Cueva del Peinero Recreational Area

This area is located to the right of the road and is an ideal area for rest, equipped with the characteristic equipment of a fountain and tables with benches. It is a very shady place through which the Aguascebas Grande flows placidly, whose crystal clear waters invite us to refresh ourselves if the day is good. To the left there is a dirt track that would take us to the old refuge of Cueva del Peinero, which was intended as a hunter's lodge and is now a rural house.

Continuing along the cross road, a few meters away you turn 180º crossing over the stream. Right on the same bridge, to the left, there is a path to go up to the source of the Aguascebas Grande. It is a path with some difficulty, winding and steep, which forces us on several occasions to cross this stream, jumping it in both directions, until we reach the source under the walls of Poyo de los Robles.

Panoramic view

The road twists and turns to gain altitude. In the first of the sharp curves to the left there is a beautiful panoramic view of the Cueva del Peinero house and the entire environment. In this area we find several specimens of yew, among an exceptional boxwood with junipers and junipers. The presence of griffon vultures is quite common, which have magnificent walls here, ideal for resting and nesting.

We soon surpassed 1300 meters of altitude, in a gentle ascent, leaving several boats on both sides, which are very characteristic rock formations, consisting of a large outcrop of flat and more or less smooth rock.

Gil Cobo Recreational Area

After a slight descent to 1260 meters of altitude, we reached another of the strong points of the route, the place of Gil Cobo with its recreational area. In addition to the characteristic facilities of this type of area, fountain and tables with benches, in summer there is a kiosk-bar and an exceptional bathing area, in a small dam of the Aguascebas de Gil Cobo stream.

Later, at 250 meters from the area, we must leave the road, just when crossing the bridge over the stream, to enter the dirt forest track, to the left. From this point the climb will be constant until the end of the stage.

Closed of San Ginés

A few meters after entering the track, parallel to Aguascebas de Gil Cobo, we pass the source of La Cerrada de San Ginés on the right. From this point, the lateral rocky walls narrow the valley through which we are advancing more and more, forming a singular enclosure whose width at some point becomes little more than that of the track we are walking on.

This closed is one of the most interesting corners from the botanical point of view of the entire natural park, since here we find several endemisms in its walls, such as the insectivorous plant known as Andalusian grasilla (Pinguicula vallisneriifolia), in addition to rare species such as some yew and exceptional bojedas.

Fork

When leaving the narrowing, we find a small esplanade with a fork. By the track on the left you reach the Collado del Perenoso, a strategic place to ascend the Pedro Miguel, 1830 meters high, which is the roof of this area. There is a panel that describes this interesting route, but it is a path that is not marked.

Our stage continues along the track to the right, along the Peña Corva lane, where in spring we will see the Cazorla violet (Viola cazorlensis) and soon we will enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the Collado del Perenoso and Pedro Miguel as we gradually approach another of the boats in the area, the Lancha de la Escalera.

Colorá Fountain

The fountain is located on a pronounced curve in the track, and has a nice stone table that invites us to a stop, the landscape being dominated by black or salgareño pines and boxwood.

Tinada Majalserbal Refuge

To the left, on a small hill above La Lancha de La Escalera, a few meters from the track, we find the building of an old tinada used as a shed for cattle. On one of its sides, one of the mountain refuges has been set up for hiking use. At the front we will also find a water trough that will allow us to stock up on water.