Picena: Hiking Trail, Water and Alpujarran Architecture

Picena combines a short hiking trail with distinctive traces of the village’s history and traditional Alpujarran architecture. The SL-A-29 hiking trail – Sendero El Balsón – begins in Picena, is 2 km long and has a stated walking time of 30 minutes. The distance and time frame give the excursion a clearly defined structure, while the stops along the way reveal different sides of the village.

Nature

The Balsón de Picena is a deep natural pool with fresh, clear water. Along the route, after crossing a suspension bridge, you reach the old La Fabriquilla hydroelectric plant. The trail therefore leads not only through a landscape shaped by water, but also touches on a former technical feature of the surrounding area. The short distance and stated walking time complement the individual stops along the route, making the trail easy to understand as a distinct nature and landscape experience.

History

The remains of the former Castillejo de Picena are located on the right bank of the Río Picena, on a small hill. Access is via a track on the left when driving down the road towards Cherín. The riverbank, hill and directional information are among the described reference points for this historic site.

At the Peñón de Picena beside the cemetery, the end of the working day in the fields was traditionally marked. The site thus preserves a memory of the agricultural daily routine. At the same time, Picena preserves traditional Alpujarran architecture in its winding streets. Picena has narrow streets that visitors can explore; alongside the built form, the traditional use of individual places also remains visible.

Culture

The Eras de Picena are circular, paved threshing floors where grain was threshed and then winnowed. Their form and former use connect a visible architectural detail with a specific agricultural process. In terms of experiencing the village, the focus is not only on buildings, but also on spaces shaped by work and processing.

A depiction shows the first part of the battle: the Moors are victorious and return the Virgin Mary to the church; on the following day, the Christians are victorious. The chronological sequence creates a clear division into two parts. During these days, there are exhibitions and demonstrations of traditional activities, linking the depiction with other cultural events.

A trip to Picena can therefore combine several different focuses: a short trail with named stops, water and an old hydroelectric plant, historic sites along the Río Picena, as well as architecture, threshing floors and traditional depictions in the village.

Holiday apartments in Picena can be compared based on travel dates, room category and cancellation policies.

More destinations

More destinations: Algarinejo, Jete, Caniles, Cástaras, Fuente Vaqueros, Santa Cruz Del Comercio, Padul, Cenes De La Vega

To the overview of destinations in the wider area: Granada.