Hikes in Barbate

The Torre del Tajo lookout tower is the highlight of this relaxed hike along the cliff coast between Barbate and Los Caños de Meca.

Through the Pine Forest of Barbate The cliff coast between Cabo de Trafalgar and the marshland at the mouth of the Río Barbate is one of the most beautiful sections of the southern Spanish Atlantic coast. Both the south-facing sandstone cliffs along with a wide strip of sea and the extensive pine forest behind, through which the hiking trail from Barbate to Los Caños de Meca runs, are protected areas.

With a length of 4 km and a height difference of up to 90 m, the cliffs between the coastal towns of Los Caños de Meca and Barbate are one of the most spectacular landscapes in Andalusia. The coastline is the result of a fault running east-west in combination with the erosive effect of the Atlantic Ocean's surf, as the cliffs are constantly being eroded and collapsing. This creates an important biological habitat for crustaceans and algae at the foot of the cliffs. A beautiful vantage point with a view of this landscape is located just behind the Torre del Tajo. It was built in the 16th century and served as a lookout point and early warning system to provide early warning of the pirates that plagued the Andalusian coast at the time. Danger was indicated by smoke during the day and fire at night. With a height of 13 m and an interior of 6 × 7 m, it is the second largest tower in the province of Cádiz. A botanical delicacy on this tour is the Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa, from the juniper genus, from the cypress family. The largest occurrence on the Iberian Peninsula is in the Parque natural de La Breña y Marismas del Barbate. The shrubs reach a height of 1 to 4 m, in favorable locations up to 15 m. The roots are extensive and grow slowly, so that they penetrate the dunes and have access to deeper layers of water.> From the numerous parking lots above 01 Playa de la Hierbabuena, walk just 50 m in a westerly direction and then follow the steeply ascending sandy path to the right. Where this ends, turn left onto the path that continues. Keep half right at the first fork. The path then joins a wide track, the Sendero Europeo Arco Atlántico. At a pillar marked white, red and green, our return path joins from the right and we continue straight ahead. Numerous information boards provide information about nature and the 02 Torre del Tajo, which we reach after a longer stretch. Towards the sea and further west, a path now leads directly above the cliffs and offers numerous unique viewpoints along this spectacular stretch of coast. At the end of this path, we turn inland and continue straight ahead, cross the track to Los Caños de Meca (2.8 km) and now walk north along the wide and sandy firebreak. At the first 03 crossing path, we turn right and walk through a sparse pine forest. There is a ruin along the way and we cross another firebreak to the half left onto a path. We then walk through the fragrant pine forest for a longer stretch before turning left at the 04 following slope and after a few meters turning right onto the continuing path. Shortly after another fork, we cross the track to the half-right. This section is now without markings, only the trail serves as a guide. After a short, steep descent, the path joins the familiar outward route. Continue to the left here. The hiking trail forks after just a few meters. If you have come from the parking lot above 01 Playa de la Hierbabuena, turn half left. If you came from the 05 parking lot on the A-2233, continue half right.

Diese Streckenwanderung verbindet zwei schöne Strandorte, eine tolle Steilküste, Pinienwälder und das Kap Trafalgar.

Ruta de nivel moderado, merece la pena por las vistas