Benaocaz: Hiking Trails and Historic Streets

Benaocaz can be planned from two perspectives: its hiking trails and its historic townscape. The routes vary in length, duration, difficulty, and the destinations mentioned along the way; the streets, the Iglesia de San Pedro, and the San Blas festival add cultural and historical themes to your visit. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first decide whether hiking or the town's history will be the focus of your trip.

Hiking Trails and Historic Routes

The Ojo del Moro hiking trail is 1.384 kilometers long, takes 40 minutes, and is rated easy. It leads to waterfalls at the Arroyo del Pajaruco and passes an abandoned lime kiln. The route therefore combines two different attractions: water at the destination and a former lime kiln along the way.

The trail to Casa Fardela is 3.2 kilometers long, takes 1 hour and 30 minutes, and is rated moderate. Its starting point is in the upper part of Benaocaz, in the Los Corrales area, at the end of Calle de los Nazaríes. Compared with Ojo del Moro, Casa Fardela is longer, takes more time, and is rated as more difficult. This allows you to compare the two routes by the time required and difficulty. Route information and conditions may change; check the latest information before setting out.

The hiking trail to Salto del Cabrero begins at the end of Calle Pajaruco, on the northern edge of the built-up area. The gorge has vertical rock walls more than 80 meters high and a passage no more than 50 meters wide. The steep walls and limited width together describe the striking shape of the ravine.

The Calzada Romana de Ubrique runs from Benaocaz to Ubrique along a well-preserved Roman road. The route between the two towns and the historic road itself are among the hike's distinctive features.

Townscape and History

The narrow, maze-like streets of the Barrio Nazarí retain their old paving; white houses with colorful flower beds line them. The old paving, bright facades, and flower beds give the neighborhood a distinctive streetscape. Benaocaz was declared a Historic-Artistic Site by Andalusian Decree 27/1985.

At the Iglesia de San Pedro, the bell tower is made from the minaret of a former mosque. The minaret was thus repurposed as a bell tower, bringing earlier and present-day uses together in its architecture. The same church houses the Cristo de la Columna, known as the “Amarrao.” Architectural history and religious art come together here as distinct aspects of the town.

San Blas in Benaocaz

The San Blas festival is celebrated on February 3. It is believed that the festival has been celebrated since at least the 17th century. The festivities include a procession through the streets of Benaocaz, accompanied by charangas. At midday, the town council invites visitors to sample typical regional products. The fixed date, procession, and regional tasting give your visit a different focus from the hiking trails and historic townscape.

Discover more destinations: El Bosque, Grazalema, La Barca De La Florida, Poblado De Doña Blanca, Poblado Sancti Petri, Jerez De La Frontera, La Línea De La Concepción, Los Barrios

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