Cónchar: Vineyards, Watchtowers and Hiking Routes

Cónchar lies at the foot of the Sierra de las Albuñuelas and on the Río Dúrcal. Near the village, the Río Dúrcal and the Río Alcázar converge, creating an orchard landscape with orange, olive and other fruit trees. The rural landscape around Cónchar includes orange and lemon groves, vineyards, almond and olive trees, as well as other fruit trees.

Landscape

The approach to Cónchar from the nearby A-44 passes through vineyards and almond trees; the Sierra Nevada can be seen on the horizon. The Acequia Real de Conchar lies north and west of the town centre in the orchard area. It draws its water from the Río Dúrcal and irrigates the Vega of Cónchar. The Acequia Real de Conchar is classified as ethnological irrigation infrastructure.

Culture

The Fiesta del Mosto has been celebrated in Cónchar every year on 6 January since 1984. During the Fiesta del Mosto, Cónchar wine and the local salad “remojón conchúo” are distributed in the church square; visitors must bring their own jug to be served wine. The Rifa de Ánimas takes place every year on 1 January in the Plaza de San Pedro in Cónchar.

The Iglesia Parroquial de San Pedro was built between 1610 and 1614 to designs by Ambrosio de Vico. The Torre de Cónchar is a cylindrical watchtower from the Arab period, standing 6.50 metres high. It is classified as a monument of military architecture and as a Bien de Interés Cultural. The Islamic necropolis at Pago del Portichuelo dates from the Nasrid period, between the 13th and 15th centuries. It served as the cemetery of the village of Cónchar and contained 152 graves.

The Atalaya de Cónchar is a watchtower of Nasrid origin dating from the 13th to the 15th century. It formed part of a network for defence and visual communication. From the Atalaya de Cónchar, views extend across the Valle de Lecrín; Cozvíjar lies in the background, and the Sierra Nevada can be seen on the horizon.

Hiking and Water

The circular Ruta del Arroyo del Alcázar is 7.6 kilometres long and has a high technical difficulty level. The Ruta de Las Fuentes y Atalaya de Cónchar is a 10.49-kilometre circular route with a high technical difficulty level. It begins at the Iglesia de Cónchar and follows the river and the Acequia de los Arcos to the Castillo de Lojuela and Murchas.

The waterfall at the Arroyo del Alcázar, locally known as “cascada del baño”, is suitable for swimming and has one deeper pool and one smaller pool. It flows into one of the tributaries of the Río Dúrcal.

The Cónchar–Melegís circular route begins in Cozvíjar, passes through Cónchar and Melegís, and is approximately 15 kilometres long; it is considered not very demanding. On the Cónchar–Melegís route, the path runs along the right bank of the Río Dúrcal. In some places, the river must be crossed using tree trunks or a line of rocks. The return to Cónchar offers views of the Sierra Nevada, the Sierra del Manar and Dúrcal.

Wine

Bodega Señorío de Nevada S.L. was founded in 1996 and is based in Cónchar.

Other Places

Other places include Salobreña, Orgiva, Otívar, Ugíjar, Ogíjares, Deifontes, Salar and Algarinejo.

To the higher-level travel overview: Granada.