Vallejas: Cueva del Higueral and Sierra Valleja

Vallejas combines archaeological depth with the landscape of the Sierra Valleja. The most recent excavation of the Cueva del Higueral de Valleja identified ten Palaeolithic occupation layers with archaeological and palaeoecological findings. Layer III of the cave contains lithic industries attributed to the Upper Palaeolithic, with technological elements of the Solutrean.

Archaeology

From May to August, visits to the Cueva del Higueral are permitted exclusively as part of research or conservation projects. The combination of the stratigraphic sequence and the specific attribution of materials offers two distinct perspectives on the cave site: a long period of occupation and the precise classification of individual finds.

Landscape

The Cueva del Higueral de Valleja is located on the southwestern slope of the Sierra Valleja, within the municipality of Arcos de la Frontera. This karst cave formed around four million years ago through the emergence of a watercourse and consists of two interconnected chambers.

The Sierra Valleja lies in the centre of the province of Cádiz, also within the municipality of Arcos de la Frontera, between the Guadalete and Majaceite rivers. Geologically, it belongs to the Subbetic System and consists of dolomitic limestone. The sierra also includes a Jurassic karst plateau. For orientation purposes, the cave, karst plateau, rock and mountain system can be considered as different levels.

Hiking routes

The easy hiking route from Vallejas to Arcos de la Frontera is 15.29 km long, is rated moderate and includes 307 m of ascent and 296 m of descent. The route passes a lake and a cave; both are considered attractions along this trail.

Another hiking route leads via La Loma de los Castillejos to the southern end of the Sierra Valleja. Route length, elevation gain, named waypoints and direction of travel provide several objective points of reference for organising route planning by scope and focus. Thus, a surveyed route to Arcos de la Frontera and a route to the southern end of the sierra are presented as different route profiles.

The information on the two routes makes it possible to compare their described profiles objectively. For the route from Vallejas to Arcos de la Frontera, the stated rating as well as the ascent and descent can be considered together. The route via La Loma de los Castillejos, by contrast, is defined by its destination at the southern end of the Sierra Valleja. This keeps the measured connection and the stated direction recognisable as separate points of reference for further planning.

When comparing holiday apartments in Vallejas, you can review travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions side by side on the respective property pages and take your time comparing the information relevant to your travel planning.

Other places

Other places: San José Del Valle, Bornos, Bolonia, El Santiscal, Paterna De Rivera, La Zarzuela, Olvera, Poblado Sancti Petri

History

In 1917, the outflow was held back by the construction of a dam at the location in the Sierra Valleja known as La Loma de los Castillejos.

For the overarching travel overview: Cadiz.