I live in the far south of Spain, but from time to time the temperatures drop to the point where snow can fall and icicles can form. From my roof terrace there are three peaks on the horizon that in winter are often white with snow. The first is El Torreon, the highest peak in Cadiz province. The other two are Reloj and Simalcón.
This walk is the ascent of Reloj (The Clock) 6.8km. to the summit and back. Altitude climbed 615m.(2,017ft.)
It is a steep walk and not for the unsure of foot. To reach the summit you will be scrambling, sometimes on all fours. At the end of the climb you will be scaling five metre boulders and huge slabs of white limestone with every chance of a fall. Your mobile will work here, but a broken leg or sprained ankle puts you in a bad situation. The walk is well known and there will always be other walkers, but always come prepared to have to sit for two or three hours whilst help arrives. Warm clothing, water and high protein snacks are a must. So are good boots.
The walk starts at the back of the car park in Grazelema just outside the gates to the Tajo Rodillo camp site. At the top end of the car park is a gate. This takes you over an area of broken rocks to a footpath leading up into a pine forest. The path is clear though rough in places over rocks and tree roots. On your right is the rock face of Penñon Grande, popular with rock climbers. You will climb up to the top of a hill which is clear of trees. You should be at the end of a valley with a flat grassy area in the bottom and a grove of pine trees.
This is Llano del Endrinar. The grassy area is fenced off and there may be cows there. Work your way around to the left hand side of the flat area and look for the path going off in a SE direction zig zagging up the up the hillside.
The climb is steep and often rugged, but it is nothing compared with the final part of the climb. When you finally stop climbing and reach the flat part between two hills you must walk along the often invisible path on the left hand slope. I seem to remember a lone sapling by the track just before the path leads off to the left and begins to climb the sloping limestone beds. There are terraces and sometimes steps cut into the rocks. Keep looking for the little cairns left to mark the route. Some obliging gentleman has painted arrows in black paint on the white limestone. These and the cairns mark the route, though often you will be looking around for the next marker. It's not always clear. The summit will be now right above you and is marked with a cairn of rocks.
My little companion was like a mountain goat hopping from boulder to boulder. I was treading more carefully, but we finally made it. Try to pick a clear day. I have done this walk with friends and arrived at the top in cloud. It´s always a pity to climb all day and end up not being able to see anything.
Looking to the north west from the summit of Reloj on the other side of Simalcón is the huge bulk of El Torreón.
This walk is the ascent of Reloj (The Clock) 6.8km. to the summit and back. Altitude climbed 615m.(2,017ft.)
It is a steep walk and not for the unsure of foot. To reach the summit you will be scrambling, sometimes on all fours. At the end of the climb you will be scaling five metre boulders and huge slabs of white limestone with every chance of a fall. Your mobile will work here, but a broken leg or sprained ankle puts you in a bad situation. The walk is well known and there will always be other walkers, but always come prepared to have to sit for two or three hours whilst help arrives. Warm clothing, water and high protein snacks are a must. So are good boots.
The walk starts at the back of the car park in Grazelema just outside the gates to the Tajo Rodillo camp site. At the top end of the car park is a gate. This takes you over an area of broken rocks to a footpath leading up into a pine forest. The path is clear though rough in places over rocks and tree roots. On your right is the rock face of Penñon Grande, popular with rock climbers. You will climb up to the top of a hill which is clear of trees. You should be at the end of a valley with a flat grassy area in the bottom and a grove of pine trees.
This is Llano del Endrinar. The grassy area is fenced off and there may be cows there. Work your way around to the left hand side of the flat area and look for the path going off in a SE direction zig zagging up the up the hillside.
The climb is steep and often rugged, but it is nothing compared with the final part of the climb. When you finally stop climbing and reach the flat part between two hills you must walk along the often invisible path on the left hand slope. I seem to remember a lone sapling by the track just before the path leads off to the left and begins to climb the sloping limestone beds. There are terraces and sometimes steps cut into the rocks. Keep looking for the little cairns left to mark the route. Some obliging gentleman has painted arrows in black paint on the white limestone. These and the cairns mark the route, though often you will be looking around for the next marker. It's not always clear. The summit will be now right above you and is marked with a cairn of rocks.
My little companion was like a mountain goat hopping from boulder to boulder. I was treading more carefully, but we finally made it. Try to pick a clear day. I have done this walk with friends and arrived at the top in cloud. It´s always a pity to climb all day and end up not being able to see anything.
Looking to the north west from the summit of Reloj on the other side of Simalcón is the huge bulk of El Torreón.
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