Alfarnate: Mountain Scenery, Trails and History
Accommodation in Alfarnate
Alfarnate amid mountains and hiking trails
Alfarnate is a mountain village set in a natural landscape on the northwestern edge of the Alta AxarquÃa. The Sierras de Enmedio, Palomera and Jobo surround the village and shape its scenic setting. There are also specific points of reference for visitors who enjoy getting around on foot: Stage 11 of the Gran Senda de Málaga (GR 249) starts at Parque de la Fuente Vieja in Villanueva del Rosario and ends at Plaza del Puente in Alfarnate. The estimated time for the 15.4-kilometre route is 5 hours and 15 minutes.
Another option is the PR-A 266 Las Pilas, a 12.7-kilometre circular route in Alfarnate, with an estimated duration of 3 hours and 50 minutes. The distance and time figures distinguish the two routes, but say nothing about their difficulty. Check the route details again before setting out. Stage 11 of the Gran Senda de Málaga is also linked to the ZEC Sierra de Camarolos, a Special Area of Conservation.
Activities included in Alfarnate’s active tourism offer are canoeing, hiking, cycling and horse riding. If you have a particular activity in mind, check in advance what options are available locally. Stargazing is also recommended because of the low levels of light pollution; local conditions should be taken into account.
Alongside the hiking trails, there is the Ãrea recreativa del Ejido, next to the municipal sports centre: a free camping area with around ten pitches for motorhomes and electrical hookups. Information about this facility may change. If you plan to use the site, check the details before your trip.
Fiesta, buildings and history
The Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos has been celebrated in Alfarnate since the 17th century and is recognised as a Fiesta de Interés TurÃstico Provincial de Málaga (Festival of Provincial Tourist Interest in Málaga). The Museo de la Fiesta de «La Embajada» is on the third floor of the Edificio de Usos Múltiples and has three exhibition rooms. Documents, objects and photographs relating to the fiesta are on display. Check the relevant dates for the current celebrations programme.
Another historic building in the village is the Casa Consistorial on Plaza de la Constitución. The town hall dates from the late 16th century, has two storeys and is in the Mudéjar style; it has been renovated several times. It is considered the oldest town hall in the province of Málaga still in operation. The Ermita de la Virgen de Monsalud was built in the early 17th century. Its described features include a portico with three arches and a bell gable.
La Venta de Alfarnate, also known as La Venta del Toro, lies at the foot of Pico del Chamizo. It dates from the 13th century, while its present structure was built in the 17th century. The venta is considered the oldest surviving one in Andalusia and houses the Museo del Bandolerismo Andaluz. Check access conditions before your trip.
Alfarnate’s archaeological heritage includes Mousterian sites on the terraces of the Palancar and Morales streams. Remains of a Neolithic workshop were found at Puerto de los Alazores; Cerro del Castillejo has fragments of Arab pottery and remains of walls. Together, these sites point to different periods in the region’s past.
Local specialities
The local cuisine also offers various points of interest to consider when planning your trip. Resoli, known in Alfarnate as «Licor de la Abuela», is a liqueur made from ground coffee, anise, spices and brandy. Sopa de Chachorreñas is a dish made with garlic bread, dried peppers, chilli, olive oil, orange peel and water. Roscos carreros are pastries made with flour, olive oil, sugar and anise, flavoured with cinnamon and lemon peel. Together, a liqueur, a savoury dish and a pastry represent different aspects of the local cuisine.
Discover more destinations: Pujerra, Ojén, Bobadilla-Estación, Torrox, AlgatocÃn, Casabermeja, Marina de Casares, Salares.
For the overview of the wider destination: Málaga.
