Alcontar: Hiking Trails, History and Regional Cuisine

Alcontar lies on the northern side of the Sierra de los Filabres, on the border with the province of Granada. Its landscape combines the aridity of hills, mountains and dry farmland with irrigated horticultural areas near the Río Almanzora. The Río Almanzora rises within the municipality of Alcóntar.

Nature and Hiking

The PR-A 12 begins at the old washhouse in Alcóntar and follows the riverbed of the Río Sauco through various rural hamlets. As a 20-kilometre circular route, it is rated as having medium to high difficulty and is recommended for autumn, winter and spring. The ruins of the Molino de Las Mesas can be seen from the route; it also leads to an abandoned chapel dedicated to the Virgen del Rosario.

The hiking trail from Alcóntar to Hijate, PR-A 72, starts at the Plaza de la Constitución in Alcóntar and leads to the houses of Los Blánquez. It reaches the Vía Verde; after leaving the Vía Verde shortly before a high bridge, the trail leads to the Torre del Ramil. The PR-A 72 is associated with a length of 16.1 kilometres and the year 2008; maintenance was recorded in February 2019.

The PR-A 358 is 17.7 kilometres long, follows a linear route, has a medium difficulty level and takes an estimated 5.5 hours; it can be hiked year-round. The trail runs to the provincial border between Almería and Granada. In the Paraje de Los Rincones, it offers views of the Sierra de Baza and the plains of Hijate.

The PR-A 404 opens up views of the Sierra de Castril, the Valle del Almanzora, the Sierra de Baza and Calar Alto; in its upper section, large centuries-old holm oaks stand. The various route lengths, time estimates, difficulty levels and seasonal recommendations make it easier to compare the hiking options. Nature, architectural history and cuisine can thus be considered as separate focuses when planning a trip.

History and Culture

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

The parish church of Alcóntar was built in 1820; it contains a particularly realistically rendered 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. Within the municipality of Hijate, it has been restored as a viewpoint.

When comparing holiday apartments in Alcontar, you can check travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the offer pages. For your planning, hiking trails, historic sites, landscape areas and regional specialities can be compared as different thematic focuses.

Regional Cuisine

The gastronomic traditions of Alcóntar and Hijate include migas, Fritá de conejo, gurullos, fried rings, wine rings and rings made with aguardiente. Hornazos, quince paste, fig jam and mistela are also considered typical specialities of the area around Alcóntar and Hijate.

More local pages: Macael, Cuevas Del Almanzora, El Saltador Bajo, Llano de Los Olleres, Berja, Fernán Pérez, Fuente Amarga, Tonosa

To the overarching travel overview: Almeria.