Molino Lucero - Cueva de las Palomas - Cima de las Palomas, Teba (Málaga)

26 12 2022

Molino Lucero – Cima de Las Palomas

This linear walk starts from the small hamlet of Las Pilas de Molino Lucero on the outskirts of Teba on the MA 5404, where you can see the village of Teba and its castle (Castillo de la Estrella) in the distance.

Starting off on a minor road for about 200m you then take an old drovers track and head through agricultural land until you arrive adjacent to the river Rio de la Venta, where you turn left and you see the impressive Teba gorge (Tajo del Molino) in front of you.

Cross over the weir. The river was flowing but the crossing was dry.
Pass the small municipal open air swimming pool, and then cross over the main road (MA 5404), onto a dirt track path, eventually climbing wooden steps before arriving at the first of two archaeological sites.

The first one is Cueva de las Palomas, where there is a good sturdy metal staircase going down to the entrance of this cave. From here retrace your steps and follow the arrow to the second archaeological
Site - Sima de las Palomas (Pothole of the Doves). Both sites have information boards explaining details of the early settlements here.

From here it gets more challenging to get to the top of the mountain, namely Cima de Las Palomas. The path is faint in places, then nonexistent. There are cairns to guide you, but you have to lookout for them. There is a bit of rock climbing in places (limestone), and overgrown prickly asparagus bushes and other vegetation. Overall it’s not too bad, but I would recommend wearing long trousers, and the use of a walking pole.

There are great views from the summit. In the distance you can see Peñón de los Enamorados in Antequera, a multitude of different mountain ranges, the Guadalteba valley and Teba with its castle, and also the Guadalteba reservoir.
A good hike that is slightly challenging and has great views.