Discover El Hijate: Culture, Trails and Holiday Apartment in the Almanzora Valley

El Hijate is located on the left bank of the Almanzora River and in the border area between the provinces of Almería and Granada. El Hijate lies in a landscape in the vicinity of the Sierra de los Filabres. When choosing a holiday apartment in El Hijate, you can decide in advance whether culture, activities, festival dates or cuisine should be the focus. Travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions are useful fields for comparing offers; the different topics can be weighted independently of one another. When choosing a holiday apartment in El Hijate, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be considered separately. This information provides a practical framework for making your own selection without mixing up the different local details. This keeps the described cultural, trail, festival and culinary topics readable as separate aspects.

History and Culture

The area in the Almanzora Valley had already been settled since the 16th century. The origins of the village of El Hijate date back to the late 19th century. Hijate's cultural heritage includes the Church of San Antonio de Padua and the Ermita de la Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción. The Torre del Ramil was built during the Nasrid period as part of a defensive signalling system. It is classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural. At present, the exterior of the Torre del Ramil can be viewed.

Landscape and Trails

The Camino Natural Vía Verde Guadix-Almendricos begins 400 metres from the former Hijate railway station. The section of the Camino Natural Vía Verde Guadix-Almendricos near El Hijate is also suitable for less experienced cyclists. From the beginning of this route near El Hijate, there are views of the Sierra de los Filabres. There are cycling routes in the area around El Hijate.

A hiking trail has Hijate and Alcóntar as its starting and ending points. This linear hiking trail runs along the border between the provinces of Almería and Granada and along the northern slope of the Sierra de los Filabres. It is 17.7 kilometres long, has a moderate level of difficulty and can be walked all year round. When planning, cycling and hiking can be compared as different types of activity; route length, difficulty level and season provide specific guidance for this.

Festivals and Cuisine

Hijate's patron saint festivities take place on 13 June in honour of San Antonio de Padua. A popular race takes place in December in the area around the hamlet of Hijate. The sausages produced in Hijate include Chorizo, Longaniza, Blanquillo and Salchichón. The culinary traditions of Alcóntar and Hijate include Migas, Fritá de conejo, Gurullos, fried Roscos, Roscos de vino and Aguardiente. For your own choice of topics, locally produced sausages as well as traditional dishes and drinks can be considered as different culinary focuses.

Other Places

Other places: Felix, Viator, Berja, Chirivel, Líjar, El Contador, El Saltador Bajo, La Cañada

To the higher-level travel overview: Almeria.