Cerro del Molinillo and Cerro del Pollo - Advanced Level
Phase one of this ride departs from La Quinta from where we climb steadily from almost sea-level to 800M altitude mostly continuously uphill on good quality tracks which are well maintained. The scenery is fabulous and although you will require a good level of fitness, the end results are well worth it. The sense of achievement gained when you look back down from the top taking in the views of what you have ridden up and beyond to the Mediteranean is breathtaking.
The second phase of this ride is a loop around the mountains overlooking Istan – Cerro del Molinillo and Cerro del Pollo which was blocked until recently for several years by rockfalls but has recently been reopened. The views are absolutely stunning, some of the best that you can get in Andalucia with especially clear views across toSierra Bermeja the closest of the Sierra de las Nieves range. The loop ranges in height from 800M to around 1000M and the peaks themselves top out at 1200M and 1328M respectively.
Tracks are in good condition with only occasional tricky sections of loose rocks. Although this second section does not take in as much climbing as the first, the sections of loose rock will require that you have good skill and balance but if you have made it here in the first place that should be a given.
Once we have looped past the viewpoint over Istan and its reservoir then the descent starts in earnest below the mountain top of Cerro del Pollo and Plaza Armas. Again, tracks are in good condition with just a couple of loose rock sections to be navigated with care. We will descend almost into the bottom of the valley where there is a tiny hamlet of remote houses in the area of Majada de los Cardos. After crossing the river at the foot of the valley there is a bit of climbing back over into the Castaño Santo valley where we turn down and descend on fast flowing tracks back to the startpoint at La Quinta.
All-in-all, fabulous, quite testing on your fitness but well worth it.
Advanced level 5-6 hour trip to Castaño Santo (The Holy Chestnut Tree) and then on to circumnavigate these two impressive mountains overlooking Istan with views to Monda Istan and Tolox- € 60
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