Picena between Hiking Trails and Alpujarran History

Hiking from Picena

Picena combines a clearly defined hiking trail with historic traces and traditional local architecture. The SL-A-29 hiking trail – Sendero El Balsón – begins in Picena. It is 2 km long; the stated walking time is 30 minutes. These two key details provide the excursion with a clearly defined framework and help distinguish the short route from further explorations in the town and at the cultural sites described. The short distance and stated walking time present the trail as a clearly limited stage. At two kilometres in length and with a walking time of 30 minutes, the hiking stage remains within a limited time frame; the old La Fabriquilla hydroelectric station is reached along the way after a suspension bridge. This station forms part of the short hiking stage; together with the suspension bridge, it constitutes a specific section of the route.

The Balsón de Picena is a deep natural pool with fresh, clear water. The combination of the pool and the hydroelectric station brings together natural and technological features in a single excursion without equating the two sites.

Historic Traces on the Río Picena

The remains of the former Castillejo de Picena are located on the right bank of the Río Picena, on a small hill. Access to the Castillejo is via a track on the left when driving down the road towards Cherín. The information about the road and direction of travel provides specific guidance for reaching the track on this historic detour. The remains, as those of a former structure, form part of the historic traces that can be viewed.

Architecture, Threshing Floors and Working History

In the town itself, Picena preserves traditional Alpujarran architecture in winding, narrow streets that visitors can explore. The Eras de Picena offer a different insight into its working history. These are circular, paved threshing floors where grain was threshed and then winnowed. The eras thus connect visible details of the town with the former processing of grain. Together with the narrow streets, they create a townscape in which construction methods and agricultural use stand side by side at different specific locations. The name of the eras also preserves their connection to grain work: the grain was threshed and then winnowed.

The Peñón de Picena is also one of the village’s distinctive sites. It is located next to the cemetery and was traditionally used to mark the end of the working day in the fields.

Representation and Traditional Activities

During the two-day representation of the first part of the battle, the Moors win on the first day and return the Virgin Mary to the church; on the following day, the Christians win. On both days, there are exhibitions and demonstrations of traditional activities.

More Destinations

More destinations: Almuñécar, Jayena, Cúllar, Huéneja, Víznar, Ugíjar, Pampaneira, Durcal

For the higher-level travel overview: Granada.