Alcontar: Hiking, History and Mountain Landscapes

Alcóntar lies on the northern side of the Sierra de los Filabres, on the border with the province of Granada.

Landscape

The landscape of Alcóntar combines the aridity of hills, mountains and dry fields with irrigated horticultural areas near the Río Almanzora. The Río Almanzora rises within the municipality of Alcóntar.

The PR-A 404 offers views of the Sierra de Castril, the Valle del Almanzora, the Sierra de Baza and Calar Alto; large, centuries-old holm oaks stand along its upper section.

The PR-A 358 runs to the provincial border between Almería and Granada and offers views of the Sierra de Baza and the plains of Hijate from the Paraje de Los Rincones.

Hiking

The PR-A 12 hiking trail begins at the old washhouse in Alcóntar and follows the riverbed of the Río Sauco through various rural hamlets.

This 20-kilometre circular route is rated as moderately to highly difficult and is recommended for autumn, winter and spring.

The ruins of the Molino de Las Mesas can be seen from this trail; the route also leads to an abandoned chapel dedicated to the Virgen del Rosario.

The PR-A 358 is a 17.7-kilometre linear route of moderate difficulty; the estimated duration is 5.5 hours, and it can be walked year-round.

The hiking trail from Alcóntar to Hijate, PR-A 72, begins at Plaza de la Constitución in Alcóntar and leads to the houses of Los Blánquez.

Along its route, the PR-A 72 reaches the Vía Verde; after leaving the Vía Verde shortly before a high bridge, the trail continues to the Torre del Ramil.

The PR-A 72 is listed as being 16.1 kilometres long, with the year 2008 indicated; maintenance is recorded for February 2019.

History

The historical tradition of Alcóntar links its settlement in the 16th century to the knights of Don Juan de Austria and preserves an orally transmitted poem about the capture of the town by his troops.

The parish church of Alcóntar was built in 1820; inside it is a particularly realistic depiction of Christ.

The Torre de los Moros–Torre del Ramil was built during the Nasrid period as a tower for monitoring, defending and warning the neighbouring settlements. It has been restored as a viewpoint in the municipality of Hijate.

Cuisine

The culinary traditions of Alcóntar and Hijate include migas, fritá de conejo, gurullos, as well as fried rings, wine rings and aguardiente rings.

Typical specialities of the area around Alcóntar and Hijate also include hornazos, quince paste, fig jam and mistela.

Other destinations: Cantoria, Aguadulce, Velefique, San Isidro de Níjar, El Ejido, Tabernas, Canjáyar, Uleila Del Campo

To the main travel overview: Almeria.