Pinto’s Cross

Price	€ 20
Day & Time	Usually Mondays and Fridays starting at 10:00 (walking calendar)
Meeting Point	Nerja bus station, Nerja (map) at 09:30, and then at the main Frigiliana bus stop, Frigiliana (map) at 10:00.
Minimum Group Size	Limited number of spaces available on each walk in order to maintain group safety and good walker/guide ratio.
Start Time	10:00 at the main Frigiliana bus stop, Frigiliana (map)
Finish Time	16:30 at the main Frigiliana bus stop, Frigiliana
Walking Time	6 hours (includes stops for lunch, breaks, photos, etc.)
Walking Distance	10 kilometres (circular route)
Height Gained	150 metres (from Frigiliana)
Level of Difficulty	2C (rating explanation)
Risk of vertigo	No
Recommendations	Hiking boots or walking shoes with thick socks recommended. Trainers/tennis shoes also suitable but not ideal; however, definitely no flip-flops, beach slippers or similar, please. A moderate level of fitness is required. Also, bring something to eat for lunch, sufficient water and wear appropriate clothing.
Additional Gear	Walking sticks/poles may be useful on one uphill section and a few other stretches, but not essential.
Highlights	A relatively short, easy walk with few challenging sections. Short river section up the Higuerón, great views of the the Chillar valley, Frigiliana, Nerja and the Mediterranean. Visit to Pinto’s Cross. Leisurely stroll back up to Frigiliana along the Higuerón riverbed.
Facilities	Lavatory, drinks and food available at Frigiliana.
Observations	This walk starts in Frigiliana at 10:00 at the main Frigiliana bus stop in the centre of the village (map). Walkers based in Nerja should meet me no later than 09:30 at the Nerja town meeting point (map). We will catch the 09:45 bus for Frigiliana and meet the Frigiliana group at the Frigiliana meeting point at approximately 10:00, when this walk will begin. *This walk has various alternatives/variants, allowing the described walk which is the full 10 kilometre route, to be reduced or completed in full, depending on the willingness and fitness of the group. There are three points along the route where the walk can be modified and made shorter. This walk is ideal for those who do not want to go out on a long or strenuous walk with the added advantage of being able to modify it according to developing circumstances.
Map of walking area

A relatively easy walk with generally few difficulties or complications, except for one short moderate ascent of a hill. This walk would be perfect for anyone not wanting to walk too far or exert themselves too much, with the added advantage of various opportunities at different points along the route to shorten the original 10 kilometre walk depending on the mood and fitness of the group.

The walk begins in Frigiliana by descending down into the Higuerón valley, after which we start on a leisurely stroll up the Higuerón river. At a certain point further up the river, we leave the watercourse and begin what is the most difficult part of the route: a steepish but relatively short path that takes us up onto the crest of a ridge overlooking the Higuerón valley. Once atop the ridge, we can stop for a little rest to take in the views which are quite lovely. Continuing along towards Frigiliana along the incline of the ridge line, negotiating many of the dips and turns, we finally arrive at the top of a small hilltop and are greeted by superb views up the Chillar valley, Frigiliana, Nerja, the Mediterranean sea and the surrounding countryside.

After a short rest while taking in the views, we begin our descent along the ridge, weaving in and out through alternating patches of pine trees and Mediterranean scrub, with wild aromatic plants among the protagonists. Descending further down the ridge line, we finally emerge out of the pine trees and where another lesser hill comes into view ahead of us. The walk up to the top of this hill is quite easy and we soon find ourselves at the top to discover a small shrine and cross, otherwise known as “Pinto”, and a good enough stopping place as any for another deserved rest.

We descend the Pinto’s hill through the scrub and pines, arriving at a vehicular track which eventually leads us down to the Higuerón river once again, where we will begin another leisurely walk back up the river course towards Frigiliana, getting in to Frigiliana at around 15:00,  giving us more than ample time to enjoy a drink or two on a bar terrace in the shade of a lemon tree.

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