Pico del Convento + Pico de la Cueva, Sierra de Almorchón, Ardales (Málaga)

07 12 2021

Pico del Convento and Pico de la Cueva

This walk starts from the parking area adjacent to the Mirador restaurant.
Take the slip road on the right just before the tunnel and the restaurant where you will find the parking area on you left past the back entrance of the restaurant.

The first section going to the Mirador de las Buitreras is
straight forward. When you get there you will have really good views looking down at the gorge and the Caminito del Rey. Above you will usually get griffon vultures circling.

The next section goes to Pico del Convento (617m). The initial path is still there but the vegetation is a bit overgrown, and it’s harder to see the path.
There is shortcut to the Pico but I took the gentler route which is longer and has a sharp right bend at a small Plato.
When you get to the base of Pico del Convento, the best approach is from the right. There are some amazing views when you get to the top.

Heading back to the Plato, in front of you going uphill is like a very narrow firebreak. Take this path but then you have to veer to the right
(I accidentally took the path to the left) Look out for the cairns of rocks to guide you.

The path along the top of sierra de Almorchón is straight forward.
When you get to the intersection, start your descent to the right.
From here there is the option to go to Pico de la Cueva (603) through the woods. It has a Geocache where you can sign the booklet or leave something in the tin.

The last section down through the sandstone and limestone rocks is trickier. There are lots of cairns of rocks. Too many in fact, marking up several routes on the descent, making it a bit confusing. Use your judgement but keep heading towards the right.
Eventually you come back down to the MA 5403 road, which will take you back to the Mirador restaurant. The views from the restaurant are really good. No comment on the food!
This is a great challenging hike with views to die for.