- DifficultyMedia
- Length11.5 km
- Unevenness254 m
- Duration4h 15m
Half-day walk through the cork oak groves and some holm oak woods of the Sierra de San Diego. A good route for half a day, with excellent panoramic views over this sector of the Natural Park. Very quiet places. Quite shady for the summer, especially the whole ascent.
This is a medium-distance circular route, to be done on foot or on horseback. It crosses parts of the Sierra de San Diego, mainly cork oak groves and some holm oak woods. We leave Tambor going down to the banks of the Campobuches River, leaving the estate by the blue interior route (Campobuches River). On leaving the farm, turn left downstream, following the path that runs along the river's edge (1). The path crosses the river on a couple of occasions, and reveals excellent pools, where it is possible to bathe in spring and early summer, before the river dries up in summer. For 20 minutes, it flows through large gall oaks (Quercus faginea subsp. broteroi) and cork oaks (Quercus suber). If the river is very wet, there is a small path, always on the right bank, which avoids crossing the river (2). For 20 minutes, the path crosses large gall oaks (Quercus faginea subsp. broteroi) and cork oaks (Quercus suber). The path leaves a large closed gate on the right, which is not necessary to cross.
The path, which runs along the right bank, is interrupted by a very rustic gate under a tree, which has to be opened and closed again. Continue along the river bank until you reach the reservoir (3), which holds water all year round. There, take the path that ascends through the cork oak grove, towards the area of Los Brezales, and then head towards El Cabrizal. The path can be shortened by taking the narrow paths that cut the bends (4). It practically reaches the top in the area of El Papudo, where there is a small meadow with good panoramic views over the Pico del Jaral and the Retamalejo farmhouse (5).
The path continues along the track that crosses the cork oak groves to the south, leaving on the right bushy formations of red heather, which give the area its name (Los Brezales) (6). At one point we notice that the landscape changes, and we have Los Lajares in front of us, one of the most beautiful lapiaces in the Sierra de Libar. The cork oaks give way to holm oaks and pastures, a reflection of the change in the nature of the soil (7). In this area there is a gate, which must be crossed and left as it is (open or closed). Once through the gate we turn right, in search of two other gates very close to each other (8), which give us access to the Perejilas area.
Descend down the watercourse, and the path then joins the access path to the farmhouse. We take this path for a short stretch (9), to leave it and take a path to the right through the cork oak grove (10), which leads us to the pass to leave the farm. The path leads to the main entrance, which is closed. Afterwards, return to the Tambor, following the paths that lead to the Campobuches area, where you can already see the Llano del Tambor. Excellent panoramic views of all the surrounding sierras. Very shady, and a good route to spend the day, with picnics along the way.