CERRO DE MORO LOOP

SOUTHERN SPAIN

Summary

An alternative route to the antennae towers above Benalmadena Pueblo, this loop hike offers non stop views on the Southern side of the summit.

Trail Stats

Mileage: 6.12miles (Loop)

Elevation Gain: 2,333 total feet

Toilet at trailhead: No

Sandwich Spots: Yes

Parking: Along the street

Mileage/EG from Garmin Watch

Trail Details

Welp. It finally happened. Lucille (our overly spoiled kitty) has been cooped up indoors long enough and is going bonkers. Zipping around the flat like a possessed maniac. Diving under the jute rug and burrowing around under there. Like a worm on crack. Attacking feet. So it is time to wear her out. Best way? She gets to hike with us. It worked. Right now she’s passed out on the couch next to me.

About to meet a super friendly fellow kitty

As we had already climbed Cerro De Moro as an out and back hike, today we changed it up and made it a loop. Should you prefer to park a car at either trailhead end, it’ll be 5.14 miles. But you’d have the hassle of finding parking along the streets. Not having a car made the decision easy, plus we can walk from our rented flat and this town is adorable to walk through. Lucille met her first kitty friend, they sniffed through her pack. No hissing. Must be a record.

We choose to hike clockwise, starting with the very exposed and new (to us) section. Initially, it’s a wide path parallel to the freeway. Meaning it’s rather loud. For the most part, you can hear road noises all the way up. You’ll cross under the road via a graffiti adorned tunnel. Much more appealing than the tunnel to get out on the other side. This one is dry and did not drip on us.

As we ascended, views of the coast line continually improved. Fuengirola lays ahead and Benalmadena behind. A ways up trail, we let Lucille out of her pack. For one, I was done with her meowing to be let out and two, she’s heavy. If you’ve never hiked with a cat, it’s nothing like hiking with a dog. She is in no hurry. Wants to sniff things. Frequently stops to survey her surroundings. Sometimes she refuses to walk. Then she gets carried either in the pack or in my arms. Today was a walking day. No surprise as she had a boat load of pent up energy.

After a bit of walking we came to a surprise. A cave! Today I found out my cat loves caves as much as I do. She chose to stroll over and enter. Lots of sniffs and swishing tail. She lead us in a short ways and wanted to go further but it was rather dark and we only had one head lamp with us. So I had to drag her out. She was not pleased. Sassy little thing. Though I do share her love of caves. And maybe some sass.

As the day was warm and the trail exposed, we took a lot of rest breaks in the shade. Mostly for the cat to cool and calm down. She wanted to keep forging ahead but she started to pant. So, nope. Rest and water time little kitty. And yes, I know I’m crazy. I just simply don’t care. I like cats.

In total, Lucille walked half a mile uphill. She was carried one way or another the rest of the way up. And she had “lunch” as well. A churru treat. Her favorite.

The hike takes you through all kinds of rock. Some lava rock and even ochre, which stained my arm a rather vibrant yellow after picking Lucille up out of it. Trying to rinse off with water resulted in yellow mud. The stuff is impressively difficult to wipe off.

We climbed up a ridge line and viewed the Cerro De Moro towers in the distance. I don’t know how anyone digs a hole in Spain. The ground is primarily rock. Minimal dirt. What a pain that must be.

We found a lovely lunch spot in the shade of a tree, overlooking the coastline, into the mountains and the cute town of Mijas. We’d been hot and in the sun the entire hike. As soon as we settled in the sun disappeared and the wind picked up. Not the most enjoyable dining experience, it was freezing. Lucille wouldn’t even budge from her pack. We moved on rather quickly.

The trail wrapped around the mountain and deposited us onto a now quite familiar road. Quite a few of our previous hikes have taken us to this very spot.

Today we chose to bypass the towers as we’ve already done them. Neither of us relished the thought of hanging out in the wind. So we headed down. Lucille was back out of her pack for this seection. She’s a funny one. Threw a fit when I put her in her pack. Refused to be carried more than 10 feet. She becomes a paws of fury kitty when she wants down. But, the further we went (granted slowly, while inspecting EVERYTHING) the more she began to lag behind. Except when we reached a particularly steep or rocky section. Then she wanted to bomb down hill. Did you know you can be pulled downhill by a cat? Found that out today. If I was too slow and caused tension on her leash, her ears went back to show her displeasure.

Lucille is quite particular. She prefers Doug to lead and for me to be behind her or directly beside her as we hike. Her lagging behind means she’s one tired kitty. Eventually her protests were ignored and she was secured back in her pack. After minimal protesting, she settled in for the remainder of the hike out. Which, if you want to read about, see the Cerro De Moro post. Otherwise, it’s a few miles of rocky footing that’s easy to slide out on. But the views are pretty and this side is certainly more shaded.

We rather liked this loop hike. Easy to follow and stay on the correct trail. Lovely views. Some decent elevation. And we can walk to it from the flat. Perfect. And it wore Lucille out. So much that she didn’t finish her dinner. Which never happens. Doug brought the remainder to her on the couch to finish. She’s a tad bit spoiled.