Sunny Walkers 30122: La Sauceda y Pico del Aljibe y Laguna del Moral

Please remember that a permit is required for this hike.
A beautiful hike best done in spring although we did this hike January it was a little cold and breezy but still beautiful.

La Sauceda is an abandoned village that dates back to Moorish times, located approximately 45 minutes’ drive north from Jimena de la Frontera on the C-3321 country road, 4km from the top of the Puerto de Galiz pass. Its isolated location deep in the Alcornocales Natural Park is actually within the municipal district of Cortes de la Frontera in Malaga province.

The Aljibe peak is the highest peak in the Los Alcornocales Natural Park , at 1,091 meters above sea level , and is located very close to the border between the Andalusian provinces of Cádiz and Málaga.

From the peak, once at the top, on clear days you can see practically the entire province of Cádiz, from the Strait of Gibraltar to the mountains, and part of the province of Málaga. The southern slope would belong to the term of Alcalá de los Gazules , in the province of Cádiz, the northern slope to the municipal term of Cortes de la Frontera in the province of Málaga.

At the summit you can find what is known as the Pilita de la Reina , which according to tradition was excavated in the sandstone at the beginning of the Middle Ages so that Queen Isabella the Catholic , supervising the development of the reconquest in these areas, take advantage of a stop along the way to take a bath.

There are several seasonal lagoons in the Los Alcornocales Natural Park that collect the abundant waters from autumn to spring. The Laguna del Moral, which was once shaded by an immense black mulberry tree, will surprise us because of its unique location since it is located within the dense forest under imposing Valencian oaks and cork oaks. The place is overwhelmingly beautiful, peaceful and tranquil, with abundant shade and the sounds of an intensely populated forest. The lagoon serves as a habitat for newts and frogs, who celebrate the arrival of the rains and, with them, the water that will gradually be lost with the arrival of summer.

A little bit of history of La Sauceda.
Due to its remoteness, La Sauceda was used as a refuge following the morisco rebellion in 1570, and again in the 19th century by smugglers and bandits. It is also known for being the last place of Republican resistance in the Sierras de Cadiz during the Spanish Civil War.

Many Republicans fleeing from Jerez area towards Malaga took refuge here, doubling the population at the time to about 1,000. At the beginning of November 1936, five months into the Civil War, the Nationalists bombed La Sauceda and followed through with a ground assault. The residents were taken to a camp at the nearby Cortijo de El Marrufo (4km from Puerto Galiz on the A-375), where many were summarily executed. About 30 bodies exhumed at Marrufo in 2011 have been laid to rest in the little cemetery opposite the village entrance. The Casa Memoria de la Sauceda is a museum with more information on these events located at Calle Sevilla 52, Jimena de la Frontera.

Today about 20 of the old stone cottages at the site have now been restored and can be rented. Alternatively, you can simply visit the village and see the ruined chapel, restored bread oven and mill. As you would expect from a place surrounded by such natural beauty, you can take part in many outdoor activities in and around the site, for example hiking and mountain biking on various trails; bird watching and nature photography.

Fully recommend this hike taking in Pico Aljibe with its panoramic views and not forgetting the beautiful Laguna del Moral.