This is described as one of the “must do” walks in Andalucía- climbing its precipitous path, then reaching ruins found on top of an inverted cone with fabulous views, it really is very memorable day out. There are several routes to the start, but there is only one path to the summit. The route we took involves a 12km drive to the start in a SUV, or the track could be walked. Driving made the walk to the summit relatively straight forward. Lucero is 1774m high, but the walk according to our book, has only 475m ascent, (we made it 833m) over 12km. It is not a walk for a windy day, or for people who suffer from vertigo, with steep drops near the peak. We had often looked across the Bay of Malaga, at the very appealing pyramid shape of Lucero calling to us across the bay.
We left where we were staying in Torremolinos to drive for an hour passing Competa. We stopped for coffee and toast at the friendly bar of Sierra Almi-jara, on the outskirts of the village of Canillas de Albida, with fabulous views. We then followed the signs for the recreation area of La Fabrica de Luz, and after about 2km just as the road enters the national park, we took an unsignposted road to the right. At the first hairpin bend (after a few 100m’s) we took the dirt track road to the left. After 10km (30minutes) of very careful driving-with a very steep drop to the left, the road arrives at the start of the walk at Puerto Blanquillo. Be careful not to miss this, it is just before the road turns 90° to the left, walking posts can be seen on the white rock.
We parked, and were the only vehicle there. We left at 10.35am, along a good path with an arrow, some marker posts, and with views behind us to the sea. After walking for 15 minutes we entered the forest, before turning right at the 4th marker post (30minutes gone).
Continuing to Puerto Competa junction we reached a sign saying Fin de Sendero (end of the walk-but not our walk!) (55 minutes, 0.8 miles, 222m ascent covered, 1400m high). We went straight on passing a huge disused marble quarry on the right, it shut in 2010, but looked like it could always re-open, as there seems to be a great deal of marble left.
We followed a wide track on which obviously the marble had been taken by truck to market. We wondered if we could have driven here, coming in from a different direction. We came across an information board-Sendero de los Moriscos-saying 2 hours, 3km to the top. Turning right on a wooden bridge over a dried-up stream, the path climbs steadily through the trees, then we were in the sunshine once more.
We stopped for lunch in shade, with views inland to a large reservoir and mountains to the north. To the left is a smaller peak Lucerillo (bright little star). After a 20-minute lunch we left at 12.45pm, going down to a col, then up the zig zag path cut into the rock, arriving at the top of Lucero at 1.45pm. (3.6miles 700m ascent). There are the fascinating remains of a civil war post, together with some steep drops. It was fairly windy, but at least the ruins provided some shelter. There were fabulous
views with snow on the Sierra Nevada being clearly visible, as well as the obvious mountains of La Maroma (2069m), Navachica (1831m), and the sea at Torrox and Nerja.
We descended carefully, using our walking poles, as there are some steep drops. We returned to the track by the board at 4.05pm, over the Puerto Competa junction, through the forest returning to the car at 5.15pm. Driving carefully along the track for 45 minutes, we stopped for a quick drink at this morning’s cafe, now full of English people. We booked that night’s hotel in Nerja on bookings.com in anticipation of climbing Navachica the following day.
Distance 7 miles (11.2km)
Duration of Walk 6 Hours 24 mins including breaks
Elevation Gained 2753 feet (833m)
Pace 54 min a mile
Information/Advice
This is a fabulous walk, which we would recommend. However, a SUV or 4 by 4 is necessary to save the 10km walk down the track to the start. Alternatively, the walk can be started in Competa with at least an additional 2 hours each way, and a total ascent of 1200m.To me the worst part of the day was the drive, with a huge drop to the side of the road, which lacked a crash barrier. We were so lucky that we did not meet a vehicle coming the other way-not sure how we would have got past.
We did not see anyone all day. Make sure you take good quality phones; in case they are needed in an emergency-Dial 112. For the majority of the walk, we had a phone signal.
We now have Garmin watches. These link to our phones, they can record the walk, and give readings of distance walked, metres climbed, heart rate etc. We are loving them, and are very popular with our Friday walking club! Strangely on this occasion our watches were very different from the given elevation. We did get slightly lost very near the end, but this would not seem to account for this discrepancy. See what you think!
