🎵 Audio guide
Mirabel sits at the foot of the green mass that is the Sierra de los Canchos (meaning mountains of the large rocks). The hill is named after the quartzite formations which emerge on the ridge which, with their greyish colouring, contrast with the many shades of green of the hillside. The circular trail leaves the village and climbs towards the gate beside the castle and then follows a track which traverses the northern side of the Sierra. The first section climbs in a north-easterly direction, then we descend towards village, heading south-west.
The trail begins in the Plaza de Mirabel. It crosses the old part of the village, climbing Calle Castillo and then leaves the village on Atajo, an old path which leads to the gateway to the Sierra de losCanchos at the foot of the castle.
Enclosed between huge stone walls and olive groves, we follow the path until it reaches the road from Mirabel to Serradilla. After crossing the road the trail continues on a path trapped between the last olive groves and the forest on the hillside, until it meets the road once again.
Without crossing the road, immediately on the left there is a track which climbs to the north-east. Initially it passes through a small eucalyptus forest which disappears from sight as we pass into a forest of oak, cork oak, chestnut and strawberry trees. The trail does not climb to the rocky ridge, as access to this is only recommended for experienced mountaineers or climbers.
The trail now heads south-west, closer to the agricultural area. A narrow, shady stretch of trail, almost closed in by trees is followed by a sudden clearing where a magnificent oak tree towers over the spring, El Venero. In a good year this spring fills a pond which can be used to water the nearby fruit and vegetable gardens.
Approximately 300m further on, there is an area where a quartzite outcrop impedes the growth of vegetation, forming a viewpoint with stunning scenic views. We follow the trail which suddenly turns right to descend steeply, snaking its way down to the plain on the outskirts of the village.
If we stop and look back we get a good impression of the size and strength of the Sierra de losCanchos and our own smallness in comparison – a hypnotic image to take with us on the final stretch of the trail back to the Plaza de Mirabel.
If we stop and look back we get a good impression of the size and strength of the Sierra de los Canchos and our own smallness in comparison - a hypnotic image to take with us on the final stretch of the trail back to the Plaza de Mirabel.