On a glorious Sunday 2 weeks back myself and John Butterworth, a lovely guest that discovered us last year and is fast becoming a regular at Vine Ridge, set off for an amazing 5 hour walk down through the Olive Groves over the basic but practical suspended metal bridge that enables you to get over the river without getting ones feet wet in the off season and we headed off for Lake Vinuela.
The walk was peaceful and not a chore as once you walk down to the river even though you have to climb back up through hamlets and country roads, it is exhilarating and great work out and although we stopped to admire the many different aspects of the views, the breaks were not needed through tiredness.
On the half way mark we stopped under an Olive Tree and in true gentlemen’s fashion tossed a coin to see who would get the luxury of leaning against the old tree, John won and would agree to the best of 3, so we relaxed and took in the amazing view of the Lake Vinuela before us.
Rested and watered, we then headed off up towards the very unspoilt village of Los Romanos, looking at wonderful kept Vines on the way and the different types of Olive and Almond trees and the style of local farming.
Once in Los Romanos although the temptation to stop in possibly the best steak restaurant in this area El Charcol, for a quick beer was on our minds, we knew that this would take the edge of the remaining of the walk and in all honesty the best was yet to come.
We then started on the ridge opposite Vine Ridge looking back towards it and once again simply stopping to look at the amazing valley and mountain views that were upon us. The village of Comares always looks stunning and majestic from what ever direction and you start to appreciate why it’s historic connections and cliff top position are so special.
The ridge walk slowly slips down towards Benamargosa and from being back and beyond you drop into this market village, with it’s typical labyrinth of streets and houses, there we worked our way down towards the central hub of the village and a very welcome watering hole and then the horrible task of having 2 large cerveza’s was achieved, before the lovely Jacqui turned up with our trusty Kangoo and saved us the 90 minute walk back up to Vine Ridge, this seemed like a tick box for another day.
This walk is highly recommended and thank you to John for as per usual being great company.