Cortijo de La Peruela

We arrive at the farmhouses of La Peruela, practically a neighborhood in the village of La Fuente del Esparto, which is a little further down and to the right. In La Peruela we find orchards, a stream with well-preserved riverside vegetation and a small viewpoint. Before the mentioned stream there is a path to the right that goes down to the village of La Fuente del Esparto. It is advisable to get away from the route and go along it to take a quiet walk through this village, with somewhat scattered houses, and where you can breathe the tranquility and authenticity of the rural mountain environment of the Sierra de Segura.

Returning to our route, we continue along the track in front, immediately passing a stream and arriving at the village of Los Galdones, where the track becomes a path. We see small farmhouses, some already in ruins, as well as terraces, poplars, walnut trees, fig trees and other fruit trees, as well as a traditional lavadero fountain painted in blue. The path goes into the forest, but a few meters later we find the old Los Galdones era on the left. The threshing floors are always in well open and ventilated places, because in them, after threshing to separate the grain from the straw from the cereal, it was necessary to winnow the latter. In Los Galdones we must make a stop to calmly contemplate the extraordinary landscape that opens before us to the east and south. The great forests that extend under strong rocky outcrops preside over the panorama. We can see the Segura valley splitting the mountains, among which the Umbría de Los Anguijones and the Poyos de La Toba stand out, crowned by the Puntal de las Buitreras, so called because in the cliffs below it there are numerous holes used by the vultures to nest or rest. As we move through the era, our footsteps lift the fragrant scent of marjoram.

We continue up the path, observing the abundance of holm oaks that mix with the pines, and at kilometer 3 we come out onto the forest track, which we take to the right. Some paratas (dry stone walls) testify that in the past any piece of fairly flat land was used to sow cereals. To the right we can see the high cliffs that crown the Calar del Cobo, to whose summit, the Puntal de la Misa, leads up to bypass 8, one of the most spectacular on the Bosques del Sur trail. Our track passes through a dense forest of black or salgareño pines with holm oaks and gall oaks. From time to time we see specimens of maple and blackberry juniper. The fencing that we see in some sections corresponds to an area where truffles are grown.

Beam Pass

The path climbs through increasingly rocky terrain and reaches a point where its continuity would not be possible were it not for the skillful and hard work of the ancient inhabitants of the area who, in Paso de la Viga, erected a last or dry stone wedge (that is, without mortar, as would be the case with masonry) several meters high to support the path while they excavated the rock face along several meters so that there was enough hole to be able to pass. The effort to build this pass was worth it, because the relationship between the Segura valley and the Los Anchos valley was intense when all the villages and farmhouses were populated and it was essential that there should be at least one place where the horse could pass without take great detours. Thanks to Paso de la Viga, the inhabitants of both valleys always maintained fluid relationships, both commercial, personal and family. There were, and still are, other passes between the two valleys, but they could only be covered on foot.

The route winds between cliffs on an unconsolidated surface, with quite a few loose stones, so special caution must be exercised. In addition, during part of the year a small stream runs down, which can sometimes freeze. If we look back, the views towards the Segura valley will force us to stop in admiration. Finally we come out of the crevasse and just 200 meters away the climb up the hill ends. From here the path smooths out and flattens out in the middle of a splendid natural balcony with no less astonishing views. To our right, on the other side of the mountain, are the cliffs of Poyo Gavilán and the La Raja pass, similar to that of La Viga but even narrower, and through which our route does not go.

Very soon we will enjoy the vision of the spectacular valley of Los Anchos, with the village of the same name and others such as Majada Oscura and Prado Maguillo, against the backdrop of Loma del Mirandante and the creeks of Peña Rubia and El Espino. From here to Los Anchos, although the route is perfectly signposted, you have to be especially aware of the marks and beacons.

After descending a stretch of still rocky terrain, the path enters the pine forest and becomes wider and more comfortable, although it holds fewer emotions. Shortly before reaching the bottom of the valley, in a wide clearing in the forest and after having traveled just over a kilometer and a half from Paso de la Viga, we passed the small Los Anchos cemetery, which is on our left. It is a moving place whose low walls allow us to peek into the enclosure and see the simple tombs, without niches or tombstones, where the remains of the highlands and highlands that for so long lived off the resources of this mountain valley lie, thus creating the harmonious landscape that we now enjoy.

Shortly after, we left the forest and arrived at the delicious Los Anchos plain, with terraces, orchards (most of them uncultivated), apple trees and small poplar trees that in autumn give the yellow touches that so beautify this place. We cross the Los Anchos stream over a bridge and continue following the beacons, reaching the village a hundred meters later.

The Widths

This village deserves a leisurely walk to contemplate its well-preserved popular architecture, like that of the nearby villages, in addition to its beautiful views. We will discover the laundry room, the hermitage and the old restored communal oven.

It is essential to deviate from the route to go down the valley road, to the left, to the neighboring village of Majada Oscura, which can be reached in a few minutes and where the Alma Serrana Ethnographic Collection is located. Despite its limited space, it houses a large collection of ancient objects of daily use in traditional mountain life, and it is in an absolutely surprising place, where you would not expect to find something like this. It transmits authenticity, not only for the pieces it exhibits, but also for the traditional farmhouse it occupies and for the extraordinary landscape of which it is part. The house-museum offers us a journey through different aspects of traditional life, such as the rooms of the mountain house, the rural school, the barber shop, the old inn, the stable and the trades related to the forest.

From Los Anchos, the Bosques del Sur trail continues along the paved forest track that leaves the upper part of the village, a few meters from the hermitage and the laundry, towards the hamlet of Prado Maguillo. What remains is a pleasant gently ascending walk between pine trees, holm oaks, poplars and small meadows, with stretches that have good views of the valley.