Abrucena: Trails, Sierra Nevada and Mudéjar Culture

Nature and Trails

The section of the Sendero Sulayr passing through Abrucena crosses the rugged landscape of the Sierra Nevada and offers wide-ranging panoramas. The signposted Camino de las Moriscas-Castillejo is a circular route approximately 5 km long that starts and ends at Plaza de Andalucía. It follows the medieval Acequia de la Jairola irrigation channel and leads to the Mirador de la Jairola, overlooking the Sierra Nevada and El Castillejo.

Ruta C: Abrucena - La Polarda leads from Abrucena to La Polarda and offers views of El Buitre, Peña Horadada and La Polarda, as well as lower-lying terraces with dry-farmed almond trees and stands of holm oaks. The PR-A 15 El Encinar hiking trail can be reached from Abrucena by following the signs to La Roza; after passing through the village, the marked trailhead is approximately 2.5 km away on a forest track.

Orientation and Visiting

La Roza is located at the end of the paved road leading from Abrucena up towards the Sierra and has a recreational area and a supervised camping zone. Near La Roza, the Sendero Sulayr follows a forest track through pine forest and stands of centuries-old holm oaks. The La Roza recreational area on the PR-A 15 offers a place to rest and drinking water.

Abrucena can be reached via the A-92, exit 336, following the signs for Abrucena/Abla/Escúllar; from there, the AL-3404 and then a three-kilometre-long forest track lead to the Aula de Naturaleza Paredes. The former Cortijo Paredes was restored by the Junta de Andalucía and subsequently converted into an environmental education centre under the name Aula de Naturaleza Paredes. The Aula de Naturaleza Paredes offers environmental education activities, routes, workshops, sports activities and cooperative games for school groups, families and other groups.

Culture and History

El Castillejo preserves Arab ruins dating approximately from the 12th to 13th centuries, which served as a defensive fortification. Parts of the wall and a cistern remain at El Castillejo; remains of Neolithic pottery were found there in 1982. El Castillejo can be reached via a walkable path.

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación dates from the 16th to 17th centuries, is designed in the Mudéjar style and was converted from an Arab mosque into a Christian temple. It is located at Plaza de la Iglesia, is open during worship times and can be visited free of charge. The mill on Calle del Agua dates from 1580 and is still regularly in operation.

Other destinations: Vélez-Rubio, San Isidro de Níjar, Mojácar, Nijar, Serón, Las Norias, Costacabana, Las Cunas

Cuisine and Cycling Routes

Traditional dishes and baked goods in Abrucena include Migas, Fritá de conejo, Gurullos, fried Roscos, Roscos de vino y aguardiente and Hornazos. In Abrucena’s restaurants and shops, visitors can taste Pipirrana, Gachas, Migas, fried rabbit and handcrafted desserts prepared with traditional recipes and local ingredients.

The cycling routes through Abrucena are freely accessible and can be used by both beginners and experienced cyclists.

To the main travel overview: Almeria.