| The route starts from the abovementioned Saint Michael's hermitage (ermita de San Miguel) and pond. Most of it follows a path of traditional washhouses, which made use of a channeled water stream from the pond, flowing into the Muela ravine. After crossing its bed, we will arrive at the barns at the foot of the hill. The path crosses the ravine again, this time through a poplar wood, and descends on the left side along a network of irrigation ditches. It brings us to the pond at the Vieja spring. Next, we will find the Alfara spring, which features a pond with flourishing vegetation. The flora here has colonized the streambed channeling its course. The Mortero ravine flows there as well.
Along the route we will see many stone walls supporting the terraces where the ravine used to be. The terraces are currently used for various cultivation including fruit and olive trees. Soon after is another pond, after which the descent starts to the bed of the ravine, through a path along an olive grove. This path leads to a well-preserved mill, which once used the water of the ravine to grind wheat and produce flour.
Lastly, the Pulgarillas pond, at the end of Oliete, collects water from the ravine which is also known as Regatillo, and which receives a permanent water flow from the springs we have seen. Close to this pond, a path junction will allow us to join the Iberian route to Oliete. From there we can go on to the San Pedro and Ariño area, or go back to Alacón by another marked path. |
Classification: Excursion.
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